Leguminosae is a huge family consisting of trees, shrubs and herbs. The plants have nitrogen fixing bacteria in their roots so have the ability to enrich the soil. Commonly known as the pea family.
Tend to be easy to recognise when the flowers are out. The leaves are usually alternate with stipules, are compound and either pinnate or trifoliate. Some of the pinnate leaves are modified into tendrils at the tips to aid climbing. The leaf margins are usually entire. Fruits are typically legumes.
Medicinally they tend to be diuretics and hypoglycaemic agents. Some plants in this family are foods and economically important i.e. soya, peanuts, pulses, chick peas etc (Barker, 2001).
LeguminosaeTrifolium pratense Family: Leguminosae (pea or bean family) Bremness describes red clover as having red-purple flowers with leaves of three oval leaflets. Weed suggests it is bright pink rather than red. …
