Important part of human diet since ancient times -Maize and beans b. Southeast Asia c. Greeks and Romans regarded legumes as poor man's fare -Eaten when meat was unavailable, hard to come by, or too expensive d. During Middle Ages were a dietary staple in Northern Europe 3. Snap beans -Require warm temperatures 4.
Legumes fix their own nitrogen from the atmosphere a.
Can add nitrogen to a garden b. Are often used as green manure or as an intercrop 5. One of the first plants used in genetic studies -Gregor Mendel 2. Types of peas a. Beans and gas a. Beans tend to create gas in the lower intestine b.