We have recently published ‘Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions’: i.e. tropical and sub-tropical regions. We rely on regular donations to keep our free database going and help fund development of this and another book we are planning on food forest plants for Mediterranean climates. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Trigonella corniculata - (L.)L.

Common Name cultivated fenugreek
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Cultivated ground, dry banks and grassy places[100].
Range Europe - Mediterranean to W. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Trigonella corniculata cultivated fenugreek


Trigonella corniculata cultivated fenugreek

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Trigonella corniculata is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Young leaves and stem tips - cooked as a potherb[2, 105, 183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Bitter  Styptic

The fruit is astringent, bitter and styptic[240]. It is applied externally to swellings and bruises[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.
More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. It is occasionally cultivated for its edible young leaves, there is at least one named variety[183]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1]. Prefers a well-drained loamy soil in full sun[200]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

Plant Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring in situ.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Israel, Turkey (n. (introd.?)) TROPICAL ASIA: India (Himalayan region), Nepal, Pakistan (Kashmir) EUROPE: Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy (incl. Sicily), Spain (Cuenca Prov.), France

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Trigonella caeruleaSweet Trefoil, Blue fenugreekAnnual0.6 0-0  LMHNM10 
Trigonella foenum-graecumFenugreek, Sicklefruit fenugreekAnnual0.6 5-9 FLMHNDM453
Trigonella suavissimaSweet FenugreekAnnual0.3 -  LMHNM20 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)L.

Botanical References

50

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Yvonne   Sat Nov 6 23:54:24 2004

I heard fenugreek also increase your breasts size, and promote healthy breast tissues, and as well promote milk production right?

just clay   Sun Apr 24 13:36:54 2005

I would recomend this herb for anyone suffering with Broncitis...but you must remember to 'STOP' this herb soon as the rattleing stop's or things could get 'WORST'

Naveen, M.N   Fri Apr 17 2009

Dear/Madam, I am conducting research on " Effect of organic manures and biofertilizers on growth yield and quality of Trigonella corniculata ,,,, I am in doubt that it is a medicinal plant or a spice crop. Is diosgenin obtained from this plant, is there any speciality concerning this crop, Regards, Naveen, M,N MSc.Horticulture. medicinal and Aromatic crops. Thank you,

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Trigonella corniculata  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.