3-39 Fabaceae, pea family

Marian C. Munro; Ruth E. Newell; Nicholas M. Hill

Authors

Marian C. Munro Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, NS
Ruth E. Newell E. C. Smith Herbarium, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Nicholas M. Hill Fernhill Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia; Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Keywords:

Magnoliophyte, dicots, pea family, Amphicarpaea, Apios, Astragalus, Cytisus, Desmodium, Genista, Gleditsia, Lathyrus, Lotus, Lupinus, Medicago, Melilotus, Oxytropis, Robinia, Securigera, Trifolium, Vicia, vetch, clover, alsike, acacia, lotus, alfalfa, luc

Abstract

The pea family contains about 12,000 species worldwide. Leaves are alternate and compound and the showy flowers are bilaterally symmetric. The corolla has five parts The uppermost, the standard forms a hood over the wings and the keel. Fruits are dry, a legume containing seeds, sometimes dehiscent. Also the fruit is known as a pod. Peas and beans are common legume crops. Photographs are provided by Sean Blaney, Martin Thomas, Jamie Ellison, Martin Thomas, and Andy Dean.

Author Biographies

Marian C. Munro, Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, NS

Curator of Botany (NSPM)

Ruth E. Newell, E. C. Smith Herbarium, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Curator of the E. C. Smith Herbarium (ACAD)

Nicholas M. Hill, Fernhill Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia; Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Director; Adjunct Professor