TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
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Annual to tree
Leaves generally compound, alternate, stipuled; leaflets generally entire
Inflorescence: generally raceme, spike, umbel or head; flowers sometime 12 in axils
Flowers generally bisexual, generally bilateral; hypanthium generally flat or cup-like; sepals generally 5, fused; petals generally 5, free, or the 2 lower ± fused; stamens 1many, often 10 with 9 filaments at least partly fused, 1 (uppermost) free; pistil 1, ovary superior, generally 1-chambered, ovules 1many, style, stigma 1
Fruit: legume, sometimes including a stalk-like base above receptacle, dehiscent, or indehiscent and breaking into 1-seeded segments, or indehiscent, 1-seeded, and achene-like
Seeds 1several, often ± reniform, generally hard, smooth
Genera in family: ± 650 genera, 18,000 species: worldwide; with grasses, requisite in agriculture and most natural ecosystems. Many cultivated, most importantly Arachis , peanut; Glycine , soybean; Phaseolus , beans; Medicago ; Trifolium ; and many orns
Reference: [Polhill & Raven (eds) 1981 Advances in legume systematics; Allen & Allen 1981 Leguminosae]
Family description and key to genera by Duane Isely.
Tree, shrub; branches with pointed tips; thorns in leaf axils (see leaf scars)
Leaves even-2-pinnate, alternate, falling early; 1° leaflets generally 1 pair
Inflorescence: raceme, axillary, < 7-flowered
Flower slightly bilateral; sepals ± free, all alike, reflexed; petals ± equal, clawed, yellow or cream-white; stamens 10, exserted, free
Fruit dehiscent or not, flat, narrowed between seeds or not
Species in genus: 4 species: deserts, se CA; AZ, nw Mex
Etymology: (Greek: weaver's shuttle, from fruit)
Reference: [Carter 1974 Proc Calif Acad Sci 40(2):1757]