Vicia faba
Common name
broad bean, fava bean, horse bean, English bean
Family
Fabaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Conservation status
Not applicable
Features
The plant is an erect, stiff-stemmed, leafy legume reaching 2-5 feet when mature. Small white flowers are borne in spikelets. Broad beans get their name from the seeds which are large and flat. Seeds are variable in size and shape, but usually are nearly round and white, green, buff, brown, purple, or black. Pods are large and thick, but vary from 2-12 inches in length.
Flower colours
Black, White
Year naturalised
1922
Origin
Horticultural (crop)