Faba bean
Species: Vicia faba L
Family: Fabaceae (Pea family).
Common names: Faba bean, Broad bean, Horse bean, Pigeon bean, Tick bean.
Confused with: There are a number of different faba bean varieties commercially available. These vary in some morphological details, especially seed size.
Description:
Seedling leaves – emerge from the seed and soil as an erect shoot (the cotyledons remain in the soil). The seedling leaves unfurl from this shoot. The first true leaves are in pairs, each leaflet 30 – 40 mm long and 25 – 35 mm wide. Leaflets are a rounded diamond shape, glossy green on top and paler underneath and are borne on a short leaf stem, 5 – 10 mm long. Central and lateral veins are apparent on the bottom side of the leaflets. Two scale leaves clasp the stem at the junction of the stem and the leaf stems. Leaflets may not initially emerge from the bottom 2 pairs of scale leaves.
Later leaflets – are more rounded, to oval in shape, 60 – 70 mm long and 30 – 40 mm wide. They consist of a terminal pair of leaflets, borne on a stem 10 – 60 mm long. An additional 2 to 4 leaflets may be spaced along the leaf stem in an alternate pattern.
Plants – an erect, branched annual plant, 1 to 1.5 m tall, additional branches emerge from the base of the main stem. Stems are square, with vertical ridges defining the sides of the square and appear to be very robust, 10 - 13 mm wide, However, they are relatively weak and easily damaged. Stems may be red-tinged towards the top.
Flowers – are yellowish-white, with black stripes on the inside of the upper petal. The keel petals are black with white edges. Flowers emerge in clusters in the leaf axils, with 3 – 6 flowers in each cluster.
Seed pods – develop in the leaf terminals from the flowers, initially green and fleshy, 60 – 100 mm long, depending on variety. Pods are furry and have a sharp point on the end. Pods blacken and shrivel as they mature.
Seeds – are 8 – 15 mm long or more, depending on variety. Seeds are light to dark brown and flattened, with a black strip running around the outside edge from the embryo to the end.
Lifecycle/Biology:
Faba bean has no hardseedness, and seedlings will emerge at any time of the year when moisture allows. Plants die quickly in hot summer conditions. Commercial crops are planted in late autumn. Seedlings emerge and grow rapidly over winter and spring. Flowering commences in winter but pods will not form until after the frost period.
Ecology: Suited to most soils, and grows well on heavy clay soils. Faba bean is susceptible to a range of pests and diseases and will not compete well with weeds. Control of broadleaf weeds in faba beans can also be problematic.
The problem: Faba bean is a minor weed of following crops and fallows. High densities of seedlings can emerge soon after the crop is harvested and may be a source of heliothis grubs.
Distribution: Faba beans are commercially grown in all states.
Origin: A native of Europe.
Compiled by: Graham Charles
