fabaceae

Systematic Position
Division: Angiospermae

Class: Dicotyledonae

Sub Class: Polypetalae

Series: Calyciflorae

Order: Rosales

Family: Fabaceae (=Leguminosae)


Leguminosae is one of the largest families in dicots, including about 690 genera and nearly 18,000 species. In all the major systems of classification, the family Leguminosae has been traditionally considered to include three sub families Papillionaceae, Caesalpinae and Mimosae. On the basis of vegetative characters, it is very difficult to characterise the sub families. However, the following features, with some exception, can be considered as common to all the three subfamilies of Leguminosae.

Roots contain root nodules that harbour symbiotic, nitrogen fixing bacteria.

Leaves are compound, alternate, stipulate and pulvinate.

Inflorescence is variable form of racemose types.

Flowers are generally zygomorphic, hypogynous, heterochlamydeous, pentamerous and hypogynous.

Stamens are usually ten in number, monadelphous or diadelphous or free.

Gynoecium is monocarpellary, unilocular with marginal placentation.

Fruit is a Legume or lomentum.