Vicia faba aka Broad Bean

Vicia faba, commonly known as the broad bean, fava bean, or faba bean, is a species of vetch in the pea and bean family Fabaceae. It is a widely cultivated crop for human consumption and as a cover crop. The plant can reach a height of 0.5 to 1.8 meters, with square stems and grey-green pinnate leaves. It does not have tendrils for climbing and has high plant hardiness, making it able to withstand harsh and cold climates. Varieties with smaller, harder seeds are called field bean, tic bean or tick bean, and are used as animal feed. The horse bean, Vicia faba var. equina Pers., is a recognized variety. This legume is a staple in cuisines from Southern Europe, Northern Europe, East Asia, Latin America, and North Africa. However, some individuals may experience favism, a hemolytic response to consuming broad beans, which is linked to a metabolism disorder known as G6PDD. The beans, with the outer seed coat removed, can be eaten raw or cooked. In young plants, the outer seed coat and seed pod can also be consumed. For optimal yield, the larger, later cropping cultivar should be sown in spring and provided with full sun and ample water during pod setting.