Vicia faba, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1981, Flora Europaea. Volume 2. Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Cambridge University Press : 135-136

55. V. faba L. , Sp. Pl. 737 (1753).

Like 54 but more robust; leaves without tendril; leaflets 40-80(-100) x 10-20(-40) mm; corolla usually white with black wings; legume 80-200 x 10-20 mm, densely pubescent but becoming sparsely pubescent when mature; seeds 20-30 mm, ovoid-oblong, compressed. Cultivated throughout Europe since prehistoric times for the edible seeds and immature legume and as fodder; often occurring as a relict of cultivation and perhaps locally naturalized.

The origin of this species is not known. Some authorities consider itto be native to S.W. Asia and others to N. Africa, but no undoubtedly wild plants are known from these areas. An alternative theory is that it has beendeveloped under cultivation from 54, which it closely resembles in many characters.