A legume's a plant in the family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae), or a fruit of these specific plants. A 'legume' fruit's a simple dry fruit that develops from a simple carpel and usually dehisces (opens along a seam) on two sides. A common name for this type of fruit's a "pod", although pod's also applied to a few other fruit types, such as vanilla. Well-known legumes include alfalfa, clover, peas, beans, lentils, lupins, mesquite, carob, and peanuts. History The term legume's derived from the Lat… (More on Legume)