How can a legume pod release its seeds?

In the order Fabales, the fruit is typically a legume, or pod, which releases its seeds through a process called dehiscence.12

As the pod matures and dries, the single carpel of the pistil splits open along one or both of its edges, known as sutures. While this dehiscent mechanism is the standard for many legumes—such as the common pea or bean—evolution has resulted in various modifications.1

Some species produce indehiscent fruits that do not split open when ripe, while others may break apart into single-seeded segments at maturity. Additionally, some legumes have evolved specialized fruit forms, such as fleshy coats or subterranean pods, like those of the peanut, which develop underground.1