Quick facts
| Arabic name | الفول |
|---|---|
| English name | Fava Bean (Broad Bean) |
| Scientific name | Vicia faba |
| Family | Pea family (Fabaceae) |
| Plant type | Annual winter legume |
| Height | 60 cm to 1.2 m |
| Water use | Medium |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
October to November
Harvest time
February to April
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
A square upright stem, grey-green compound leaves, white flowers with black spots, and thick pods with big seeds.
Where it grows
Grown in farms and gardens in winter.
Soil
Well-drained loam or clay.
Water and irrigation
Moderate watering, more during flowering and pod growth.
Climate and light
Likes cool weather and handles light frost.
Propagation
By seed sown directly.
Benefits and uses
- Rich in protein and fiber
- Adds nitrogen and improves soil
- Eaten green or dried (as ful)
- Good animal feed
Drawbacks
- Causes favism in people with G6PD deficiency
- Aphids attack it
- Does not handle heat
Important notes
People with G6PD deficiency must avoid eating fava beans and even breathing their flower pollen.
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Vicia faba
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Vicia faba
- Wikipedia: Vicia faba
- FAO Crop Calendar - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)