Fabaceae | Herbal Archive

Fabales

Fabaceae

Fabaceae, also known as the legume, pea, or bean family, is a large family of flowering plants with about 20,000 species. This family is characterized by its fruit, typically a pod, and its ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, which enriches the soil. Notable members include peas, beans, lentils, and peanuts. Fabaceae species are found worldwide and many are cultivated as important food crops due to their high protein content. They also have significant ecological value in maintaining soil fertility.

Trivial namebean family

OrderFabales

Regionworldwide

Amount of species19500

Lifespanmostly annual or biennial

Plant taxonomy

flowers usually arranged in racemes

alternate leaves with stipules, leaf blade is often divided, even pinnate

fruit (called legume or pod) which splits open along both sides to release the seeds

zygomorphic, butterfly-like flower consisting of a "flag" (upper petal), "wings" (the two lateral petals) and "boat" (the two lower petals)

Plants in the Fabaceae family All Families