Pollinator plant

Horsebean

Vicia faba

Linked agroforestry plant data
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Common names

55 names · 34 languages
EnglishYour language
+9 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (33)
Dutch
French
Arabic
Asturian
  • Fhaba de mayo[2]
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • bob obecný[2]
Danish
  • Hestebønne[2]
Estonian
Finnish
  • härkäpapu[2]
German
Greek
Hebrew
  • בקיה (פול)[2]
Hungarian
Indonesian
  • Kacang Babi[2]
Italian
Japanese
  • シガツマメ[2]
  • ソラマメ[2]
  • トウマメ[2]
+2 more namesShow fewer names
Lithuanian
  • Paprastoji pupa[2]
Nahuatl
Norwegian
  • bønnevikke[2]
Otomi
Polish
Portuguese
Purepecha
Russian
  • Боб садовый[2]
  • Русские бобы[2]
Slovak
  • bôb obyčajný[2]
Spanish
Swedish
Thai
  • ถั่วปากอ้า[2]
Totonaco
Turkish
Ukrainian
Zapoteco
  • bizaa-roo-xtilla[2]
Sources & name notes (4)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Vicia faba — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Fève — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Saubohne — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Broad bean — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • fava bean — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • horse bean — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Haba — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Fava — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • tuinboon — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Fava — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Faveira — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
[2] Vicia faba — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Fève — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Saubohne — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Broad bean — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • fava bean — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • horse bean — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Haba — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Fava — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • tuinboon — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Fava — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Faveira — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • a'hua'x — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • bizaa-roo-xtilla — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • da-ku — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • jaasi — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • ohuox — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Paprastoji pupa — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • bob obecný — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • põlduba — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Fhaba de mayo — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • bønnevikke — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • härkäpapu — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • 蠶豆 — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • ソラマメ — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • トウマメ — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • シガツマメ — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • ナツマメ — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • فول — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • باقلاء — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Hestebønne — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • 蚕豆 — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Κουκιά — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Φάβα — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • bondböna — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Боб садовый — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Kacang Babi — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Wyka bób — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Bób — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • lóbab — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Біб — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • בקיה (פול) — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • ถั่วปากอ้า — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • 空豆 — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • bôb obyčajný — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Bakla — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
  • Русские бобы — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 57309; Vicia faba.
[3] Vicia faba — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Bell Bean — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Vicia faba.
  • Broad Bean — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Vicia faba.
  • English Bean — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Vicia faba.
  • Faba Bean — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Vicia faba.
  • Fava Bean — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Vicia faba.
  • Field Bean — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(6); heading: Common Name(s):; Vicia faba.
  • Horse Bean — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(7); heading: Common Name(s):; Vicia faba.
  • Pidgeon Bean — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(8); heading: Common Name(s):; Vicia faba.
  • Tick Bean — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(9); heading: Common Name(s):; Vicia faba.
  • Windsor Bean — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(10); heading: Common Name(s):; Vicia faba.
[4] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • broad bean — Page 5, column 1, row top 562 pt; common-name cell after Vicia faba.; Vicia faba.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Vicia faba is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Fabaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Plant habit
Erect

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Annual

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Occasionally Dry

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring; Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, pollinators.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Vicia faba in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [3]
Native range
Cultigen. Recorded cultivated origin: E. Medit.. No independently established wild native range is assigned.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [4]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Medium suitability
Nectar value Medium
Pollen value Medium
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Herbaceous, Vegetable
Size
Small
Dimensions
1.00 m high × 0.00 m wide
Growth rate
Slow
Lifecycle
Annual

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
4-8
Moisture
Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Partial shade, Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Seed, Leaves
Functions
Nitrogen fixer
Edibility
3 out of 5
Medicinal value
0 out of 5

Seeds of this plant can be eaten both raw and cooked. They are suitable for consumption before they are fully ripe, like broad beans. Ripe seeds must first be soaked overnight and can then be cooked. The leaves of this plant can be cooked and serve as a substitute for spinach.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Vicia faba — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP): Fabaceae. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 2758721; ID 7G2QH; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 2758721; ID 7G2QH; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Vicia faba — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Plant habitLife cycleGrowth rateLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Garden Plants

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 5, column 1, entry Vicia faba (top 562 pt)

    Source checked on .

  4. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Vicia faba — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 580574; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 901551

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.