description
Fenugreek is an annual plant in the Fabaceae family with leaves consisting
of three small oblong leaflets. It may have a single stem or may be
branched at the stem base. The plant has an erect growth habit and a strong,
sweet aroma. The leaves of the plant are small and trifoliate with oval
leaflets which are green to purple in color. The plant produces solitary
pale white or purplish flowers and a straight or occasionally curved yellow
pod which houses the seeds. Between 10 and 20 seeds are produced per pod and
they are small, smooth and brown, each divided into two lobes. Fenugreek can
reach a height of 60 cm (23.6 in) and as an annual, survives only one
growing season.
common names & nomenclature
The common name Fenugreek comes from the Latin foenum (“hay”)
(variant of faenum) + Graecum (“Greek”) (neuter form of Graecus), “Greek
hay”.
Also known as:
fenugreek, greek hay, greek clover, bird's foot, methi, menthiyam, venthayam, uluhaal, helba, menthya, uluwa, moshoseitaro, menthulu, foenugreek, goat’s horn