Fabaceae

Fabaceae, also known as the legume, pea, or bean family, is a large family of flowering plants distributed worldwide. It is characterized by its unique fruit type, the legume, and nitrogen-fixing ability through root nodules in association with Rhizobium bacteria. Members of this family exhibit diverse habits, including herbs, shrubs, trees, and climbers, with pinnately compound or trifoliate leaves often accompanied by stipules. Flowers are typically zygomorphic and papilionaceous with five petals forming a standard, wings, and keel. This family is ecologically and economically significant, offering food crops such as peas, beans, and lentils, forage plants, and timber species, while also enriching soil fertility.