Trigonella foenum-graecum Fenugreek (Leguminosae)

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Trigonella foenum-graecum
Fenugreek
(1 Page of 5)

The Trigonella foenum-graecum plant species is found in Europe - S. France. It is a member of the Leguminosae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Fenugreek.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Trigonella foenum-graecum
Common Name:  Fenugreek
Family:  Leguminosae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  The seed contains 1% saponins[240]. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching the seed or flour in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also remove most of them. However, it is not advisible to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].

Mature Height:  0.6   Mature Width:  0.4

Habitat:  Field verges, uncultivated ground, dry grasslands and hillsides[200].

Cultivation Notes: Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1], preferring a well-drained loamy soil in full sun[200]. Requires a warm, sheltered position in Britain[244]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[238]. Fenugreek is widely cultivated for its edible seed in warm temperate and tropical regions, there are some named varieties[183]. Seed production is more problematic in Britain due to the cooler and moister summers. The seed is ripened intermittantly over a period of some weeks making harvesting more complicated[87]. Plants take about 16 weeks to mature in warmer climes, probably about 4 weeks longer in Britain[200]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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