Abstract: An improved method for processing of xanthophyll-containing vegetative crops to yield a relatively xanthophyll rich high protein, essentially non-fibrous friable when dry particulate fraction primarily derived from non-vascular plant leaf or petal tissue, and a separate tougher, particulate fibrous fraction derived principally from plant stem and the leaf vascular xylem and phloem network. A system (20) which is useful for carrying out a preferred method includes a drying assembly (22) for drying crop to a moisture content of 15-30% by weight, a fractionating hammermill (24) to separate crop into a high protein xanthophyll-containing fraction and a high fiber fraction, and individual, downstream high protein and high fiber fraction processing assemblies (26, 28). The hammermill (24) includes an elongated housing (48); a rotor assembly (56) is situated within the housing (48) and includes a plurality of spaced outwardly extending hammers (86) each presenting a rounded leading impact surface (88).