Fabaceous

/fəˈbeɪʃəs/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or belonging to the bean and pea family of plants, which includes many nutritious food crops.

Etymology

From Latin fabaceae (the bean family) plus the suffix -ous meaning 'having the quality of.' Scientific term that became English through botanical classification.

Kelly Says

Fabaceous plants are superstars of sustainable agriculture because they actually add nitrogen to soil through symbiotic relationships with bacteria—meaning farmers can grow them without chemical fertilizers.

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