Fabaceae

English: Pea/Legume family
Dutch: Vlinderbloemenfamilie

The Fabaceae is the third-largest plant family, comprising about 765 genera and 19,500 species. They are distributed worldwide and are ecologically important for their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen through symbiotic root bacteria. The family includes many economically important crops.

Key Identifying Features

• Flowers: Typically butterfly-shaped (papilionaceous) with 5 petals: banner, wings, and keel
• Fruits: Legume (pod) that splits along two seams when mature
• Leaves: Usually compound (pinnate or palmate), often with stipules
• Root nodules: Characteristic symbiotic structures for nitrogen fixation

Parent: Plantae