LEGUMINOSAE 



521 



cultivated as far north as Minnesota; it is also a soil renovator. The Dolichos 

 Lablab is used for food in the tropics. The yam bean, {Pachyrrhizus angula- 

 tus), in some countries, forms a resource as food in case of the failure of the 

 usual crops. The garden pea, (Pisum sativum), probably originated in west- 

 ern Asia along the foothills of the Caucasus. It has, however, long been culti- 

 vated in Europe. Some authorities believe that it may have originated 

 from the field pea {Pisum arvense). The pea is extensively cultivated in 

 Europe and Canada as a forage plant. The chick pea, {Cicer arietinum), is 

 a native to Caucasus and the Caspian Sea region and has been cultivated since 



Fig. 280. Garden pea (Pisum sativum), 

 a valuable food plant. (U. S. Dept. Agr.) 



remote times in northern Africa and other Mediteranean countries. In the 

 United States, it is cultivated chiefly in the arid regions both for stock and for 

 human food. The lentil (Lens esculenta) has been cultivated in the Mediter- 

 ranean region for centuries but its original home is not known. It is grown and 

 used now from Central Europe south and east to India, as food for both men 

 and stock. The peanut (Arachis hypogaea), probably native to Brazil, was 

 cultivated by the ancient Peruvians but is now widely scattered in all warm 

 countries. The nut (seed) is used as food and a fine oil is extracted from it. 

 A plant allied to the peanut {Voandesia subterranea) is used as an article of 

 food in western and southern Africa. The pigeon pea {Cajanus indicus) is 

 an important article of food in the tropics, especially in India, and is also used 

 as a fodder plant. The sword bean {Canavalia ensiforme) and the Jaukpea 

 (C obtusifolia), cultivated in the tropics are used as food, the skin having been 



