Plants in family fabaceae
Lupinus texensis
Lupinus texensis, the state flower of Texas, is an annual plant that thrives in naturalized wildflower areas. Known for its tall plumes of blue flowers, it attracts bees and butterflies, adding life to gardens. This plant self-sows readily and grows best in moist conditions, with seedlings emerging in the fall. Its seeds have a hard coat and can be scarified to improve germination.
Amorpha nana
Amorpha nana is a perennial shrub native to North America, known for its vibrant green, fern-like leaves and clusters of purple, honey-scented flowers. This dwarf shrub thrives in dry prairies and rocky hillsides, preferring rocky and sandy soils. It is drought-tolerant and well-suited for rock gardens. The plant produces small pods as fruits and is a member of the Pea family. Its unique reddish-orange pollen adds to its visual appeal. Amorpha nana was first described by Thomas Nuttall in 1813 and is a native of the Midwest and Great Plains regions of the United States.
Vigna radiata
Vigna radiata, commonly known as mung bean, has been cultivated in China for over 3,000 years. It is high in protein, iron, and vitamins, and is a staple in many Asian dishes.
Sophora flavescens
Sophora flavescens is a herbaceous plant from the pea family, featuring arching stalks and dark green pinnate foliage. It produces creamy flowers on long spikes in late spring and early summer. This plant is valued for its textural contribution to gardens and its traditional medicinal uses in China.
Phaseolus vulgaris
Phaseolus vulgaris, an Italian heirloom bean, is known for its thin, crisp, and flavorful purple pods that turn green when cooked. The plant can grow 6 to 8 feet tall and features lavender flowers. It is disease-resistant and performs well in cool weather, making it suitable for container gardening. This versatile bean is excellent for fresh consumption, freezing, or canning, and continues to produce until frost. Its climbing habit and high yield make it a valuable addition to any vegetable garden.
Medicago sativa
Medicago sativa, commonly known as alfalfa, is a nutrient-rich plant high in protein, essential amino acids, and vitamins. It is often used to add flavor and texture to salads and sandwiches, making it a versatile addition to culinary dishes.
Trigonella foenum-graecum
Trigonella foenum-graecum, commonly known as fenugreek, is a plant whose seeds are rich in essential vitamins such as A, B6, and C, as well as minerals like iron and potassium. It contains various health-promoting phytochemicals and its young, tender leaves can be used as greens in cooking. This plant is valued for its nutritional benefits and versatility in culinary applications.
Thermopsis villosa
Thermopsis villosa, native to the southern Appalachian mountains, is a herbaceous plant in the legume family. It develops 4-foot tall un-branched spikes with clusters of butter yellow flowers and is drought tolerant.
Thermopsis lanceolata
Thermopsis lanceolata, native to Russia, is an early-season flowering perennial with bright yellow, baptisia-like flowers. It grows in 3-foot tall clumps with peanut-like leaves and thrives in sunny locations.
Baptisia megacarpa
Baptisia megacarpa is a native plant of Georgia, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle, known for its drought and flood tolerance. It has an arched habit with yellow flowers in late spring, primarily pollinated by bees.
Thermopsis montana
Thermopsis montana, also known as false lupin or mountain goldenbanner, is a perennial herb native to the western United States. It features golden-yellow flowers that bloom from May to August and leaves that grow in triplicate formations. This plant is used as a medicinal and ornamental plant and is suspected of being poisonous to livestock.
Pediomelum canescens
Pediomelum canescens is a native plant of the Southeastern US, forming a 2.5-foot tall by 2.5-foot wide clump with heavily-branched stalks. It produces small flowers that are blue in bud and open to creamy white, thriving in prairies and open woodlands.
Mimosa pudica
Mimosa pudica, commonly known as the sensitive plant, is a fascinating perennial native to the Caribbean and South America. It is renowned for its rapid leaf-folding response to touch, a defense mechanism that exposes its spines. This plant features forest green, compound leaflets and globe-shaped lilac-pink blooms. It thrives in tropical climates as a perennial but is often grown as an annual or houseplant elsewhere. Mimosa pudica prefers nutrient-poor soils and is not shade-tolerant. It is also known for its ability to extract heavy metals from polluted soils, making it useful for phytoremediation. Despite its beauty, it can become invasive in some regions.
Bauhinia forficata
Bauhinia forficata, native to South American rainforests, is a perennial known for its bifurcate leaves and white, orchid-like flowers. It adapts well to average to dry soils and is used in traditional medicine for its potential benefits in treating diabetes. This plant is also known for its resilience in cold winters, surviving as a dieback perennial.
Cercis canadensis
Cercis canadensis, commonly known as the Eastern Redbud, is a large deciduous shrub or small tree native to eastern North America. It grows 20-30 feet tall with a spread of 26-33 feet, featuring a short, often twisted trunk and dark, smooth bark that becomes scaly with age. The tree is known for its heart-shaped leaves and showy magenta pink flowers that bloom in clusters, attracting long-tongued bees. It produces flattened, dry, brown pea-like pods and is cultivated in parks and gardens for its ornamental value.
Amorpha fruticosa
Amorpha fruticosa, also known as native leadwort, is a drought-tolerant shrub found on riverbanks. It grows up to 8 feet tall and features pinnate green leaves and purple flowers with bright orange pollen in late May. This plant is ideal for attracting butterflies and thrives in sunny gardens.
Brownea macrophylla
Brownea macrophylla is a striking tree from the legume family, native to parts of South America. It can grow up to 30 feet tall and features large, pinnate leaves and vibrant orange flowers. The tree produces flat, oblong legumes and is highly valued for its rare and exotic appearance.
Apios priceana
Apios priceana is a climbing vine native to the Southeastern United States, known for its large underground tuber and fragrant pale pink or greenish-yellow flowers in summer. It produces long slender pods and is pollinated by bees and long-tailed skippers. This federally threatened species thrives in humus-enriched loamy soil and is used as a food source by Indigenous peoples.
Baptisia alba var. macrophylla
Baptisia alba var. macrophylla is a long-lived perennial native to the Midwest, featuring blue-green foliage and lupine-like spires of pure-white flowers. It grows to a height of at least 4 feet and blooms in early to mid-April. This plant is rabbit-resistant and attracts butterflies, making it a valuable addition to sunny garden areas.
Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls'
Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls' is a vigorous, non-invasive climbing vine native to North America. It features lightly fragrant purple flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds, blooming in late spring and summer. This deer-resistant and drought-tolerant plant can grow up to 15 feet tall, making it suitable for smaller gardens or containers.
Indigofera bungeana
Indigofera bungeana is a low-growing plant native to riverbanks in Japan and China, featuring miniature foliage and pink wisteria-like flower clusters from July to September. This plant grows 4 to 6 inches tall and spreads up to 24 inches, making it a charming addition to gardens. It is known for being late to emerge in spring.
Tephrosia virginiana
Tephrosia virginiana, native to central and eastern North America, is a clump-forming perennial with pinnate foliage and bi-colored flowers. It prefers hot, well-drained sites and has historical medicinal uses, though all parts contain toxic rotenone.
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Contender'
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Contender' is a stringless bean variety that produces in 50 days from sowing. It tolerates heat and powdery mildew, making it a reliable choice for gardeners. This disease-resistant bean is known for its quick production and resilience in various growing conditions.
Cicer arietinum
Cicer arietinum, commonly known as chickpeas, have been cultivated for thousands of years and are a staple in Asian, Indian, and Mediterranean cuisines. They are rich in protein, fiber, calcium, iron, and vitamin C, making them a nutritious addition to various dishes.
Baptisia alba var. alba
Baptisia alba var. alba, a southern form of white baptisia, is known for its large blackened, drooping seed pods and blue-green foliage. It forms a 3-foot tall and wide mound, topped with 1-2 foot tall spikes of pure white flowers in late spring. This plant is deer-resistant and forms a full-figured, upright clump up to 4 feet tall. It thrives in full sun and is a vigorous grower, making it a striking addition to gardens.
Amorpha canescens
Amorpha canescens, also known as leadplant, is a deciduous shrub native to North America, growing up to 3 feet tall and wide. It features small, mimosa-like leaves and purple flowers with orange tips that bloom from late May to mid-September. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in dry, rocky soils and is known for its deep roots and nitrogen-fixing abilities. Its unique flowers and adaptability make it a valuable addition to prairies and open woodlands.
Vigna angularis
Important in Eastern Asian cuisine, this versatile and nutrient-rich plant is used in desserts in China and Japan. It is easier to digest than cooked legumes, containing more enzymes and less starch, and requires extra rinsing to keep moist.
Baptisia perfoliata
Baptisia perfoliata, native to the southeastern United States, is a perennial plant recognized for its blue-grey rounded foliage and striking yellow flowers that bloom in midsummer. The plant reaches about 3 feet in height and is known for its structural presence in gardens, providing interest even in winter with its sturdy form. Its unique leaf arrangement, where the stem appears to pierce through the leaves, adds to its visual appeal. This plant is also appreciated for its ability to attract butterflies and resist rabbits, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners. It thrives in sunny locations and can tolerate a range of soil conditions.
Trifolium incarnatum 'Crimson'
Trifolium incarnatum 'Crimson' is known for its larger, elongated flower heads with deep red blossoms. It is a nitrogen-fixing plant that grows best in cool weather and a variety of soils, preferring well-drained conditions. This clover tolerates some shade and is valued for its vibrant color.
Genista sagittalis
Genista sagittalis, a prostrate broom native to central and southern Europe, Ukraine, and Anatolia, is known for its clusters of small yellow flowers. It thrives in open, rocky fields and full sun rock gardens. The subspecies Genista sagittalis subsp. delphinensis has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, highlighting its ornamental value.