Fabaceae
Fabaceae is a family of eudicots. It is commonly referred to as the pea family.
Identifying Characteristics
Category | Characteristic |
---|---|
Clade | Eudicot |
Floral Formula | Variable |
Woody? | Herbaceous (No) Trees (Yes) |
Leaves | Attachment: Alternate Subdivision: Compound Position: Cauline Conspicuous stipules |
Flowers | Symmetry: Bilateral or Radial Growth: Bisexual |
Petals | Pea flower structure or similar |
Ovary | Superior |
Inflorescence | Racemic |
Numbers | Variable |
Fruits | Legumes Mostly dehiscent; some are indehiscent |
Distinguishing Subfamilies
Subfamily | Flower Characteristics |
---|---|
Mimosoideae | Radial |
Papillionoideae | Bilateral Pea Flower Structure Connate petals, possible sepal connation |
Caesalpinioideae | Bilateral to Radial Similar to Pea Flower Structure Varied fusion in sepals |
Subfamily | Leaf Subdivision |
---|---|
Mimosoideae | Twice pinnately compound |
Papillionoideae | Compound |
Caesalpinioideae | Simple |
Subfamily | Stamens |
---|---|
Mimosoideae | Showy Exserted Unknown number Free |
Papillionoideae | 10 stamens Either - Connate fusion with filaments - or 9 are fused, with 1 free stamen |
Caesalpinioideae | 10 stamens |