An erect, bushy annual with soft hairy stem and leaves. The pods, carried on short stalks are soft hairy, light brown when mature containing 3-4 seeds each, and usually slightly constricted between seeds.
Seeds vary greatly in size, shape and colour but are often ovoid and yellowish brown or black.
Origin Soybean plant showing the pods It is now believed that G. max was derived from G. ussuriensis, which is wild in Eastern Asia. Soybean flour is used as a component in human foods. The beans can be boiled as a vegetable or pounded to make curd or used in the preparation of ketchup and soy sauce. The young seedlings are sold in markets and form a nutritious, cheap and palatable dish, but less common than those of Vigna. Homepage Last modified on Tuesday, 14th May 1996.