Cajanus cajan (Pigeon Pea)

Native to the Indian subcontinent, this short-lived perennial shrub is widely grown across the tropics and has become naturalized in Colombia. It grows about 3 to 13 feet tall, with deep roots, leaves divided into three leaflets, and yellow pea-shaped flowers often marked with red. Its pods contain protein-rich seeds; dried, split seeds are cooked as dal, while immature seeds are eaten as a vegetable. The leaves and pods also provide livestock feed. Bacteria in its root nodules fix nitrogen, making it useful for green manure and planting between other crops. Plants also serve as living fences, windbreaks, and shade for young crops. Photographed in Panama.