Spices and Condiments (1+1)

Description of the plant

• There are two species of the genus Trigonella, which are of economic importance, viz., T foenum graecum or the common methi and T corniculata or the Kasthuri methi. Fenugreek is an annual herb, 30 to 90 cm tall, and has light green leaves which are pinnately trifoliate. The flowers are papilionaceous and white or yellow in colour. Anthesis takes place between 9 a.m. and 6.0 p.m. peak, at 11.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m.
• The stigma becomes receptive 12 hours before the flower opening and remains receptive for about 10 hours after the opening of the flowers. The plants flower in about 30-37 days after sowing and the duration of the flowering phase is 7-8 days. The species is typically self-pollinated and destogamous. The pollen fertility ranges from 95-98% in the unopened flower buds and 67-80% in the open flowers.
• The plant produces slender beaked pods, 10 to 15 cm long, which mature within 60-70 days of sowing. A pod contains 10 to 20 small, hard, yellowish-brown seeds, which are smooth and oblong, about 3 mm long. It is pleasantly bitter in taste and possesses a distinct flavour of its own.