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.
Annual, perennial herb, shrub, unarmed
Leaves generally odd-1-pinnate (sometimes ± palmately compound, rarely some or most simple); stipules conspicuous or not; leaflets 3many, often irregularly arranged
Inflorescence: umbel or 12-flowered, axillary, generally peduncled, often bracted
Flower: corolla generally yellow (sometimes white or pink), fading darker; 9 filaments fused, 1 free
Fruit dehiscent or not, exserted from calyx or not, ovoid to oblong, ± beaked
Seeds 1several
Etymology: (Greek: derivation unclear)
Reference: [Isely 1981 Mem New York Bot Garden 25:128206]
Spp. generally variable; intermediates may be hybrids. Key below separates natural groups.
Native |
Perennial, hairy or glabrous
Stem decumbent to erect
Leaf: stipules gland-like, black, conic; leaflets 79, generally 12 cm, elliptic or obovate, length 1.53 X width; axis (including petiole) 1035 mm
Inflorescence 39-flowered; peduncle generally 16 cm, bract near tip
Flower: calyx 69 mm, lobes ± = or < tube; corolla 1525 mm, greenish white or yellow, wings ± = or > keel; stigma puberulent
Fruit dehiscent, 2.56 cm, oblong, generally straight
Seeds several
Chromosomes: 2n=14
Ecology: Generally dry, open, disturbed sites, chaparral to yellow-pine forest, sometimes moist river bottoms
Elevation: 3001800 m.
Bioregional distribution: North Coast, North Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada (except Tehachapi Mountain Area), Central Western California, Southwestern California (except Channel Islands)
Distribution outside California: Baja California
Varieties are geog separated.
Native |
Plant ± glabrous, finely strigose, or puberulent
Leaf: leaflets generally 1.62.2 cm
Ecology: Yellow-pine forests, moist river bottoms
Elevation: 9001800 m.
Bioregional distribution: Cascade Range, n&c Sierra Nevada.