Sickle-fruited fenugreek
Trigonella corniculata

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A spreading herb. It is an annual plant and usually hairless. The leaves have 3 leaflets. These are narrow and can be notched at the tip. The flowers are yellow. They are 6-7 mm long. They are in long stalked cylinder shaped racemes. These contain 8-15 flowers. The wing petals are shorter than the keel. The pods are narrow. They are 10-16 mm long and hang down. The are slightly curved and have thin veins across them.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in grassy places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Europe, France, Greece, Himalayas, India, Italy, Mediterranean, Nepal, North Africa, Pakistan, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

The leaves are used as a pot-herb and as a flavouring. They can be dried and stored. They can be soaked in water and used as a flavouring in cooked dishes.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds

How it is grown

It is slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Champa, Chirawa, Jungle math, Kasturi methi, Kasuri methi, Lukaika, Malya, Meehtre, Pirang, Piring sak, Rogljasti triplat, Tirapa

Synonyms

Trifolium corniculatum Linn.;