Any of about 18,000 species in about 650 genera of flowering plants that make up the order Fabales, consisting of the single family Leguminosae, or Fabaceae (the pea family).
The term also refers to their characteristic fruit, also called a pod. Legumes are widespread on all habitable continents. Leaves of many members appear feathery, and flowers are almost universally showy. In economic importance, this order is surpassed only by the grass and nitrogen fixation . Because they contain many of the essential amino acids , legume seeds can balance the deficiencies of cereal protein. Legumes also provide edible oils, gums , fibers, and raw material for plastics, and some are ornamentals. Included in this family are acacia , alfalfa , beans , broom , carob , clover , cowpea , lupine , mimosa , peas , peanuts , soybeans , {{link=tamarind">tamarind , and vetch .