Leguminosae

From Freepedia

Leguminosae is one of two scientific names allowed for a plant family of close to twenty thousands species. The other name, allowed by Art 18.6 of the ICBN, is Fabaceae.

The family Leguminosae is traditionally subdivided into three units which are regarded by some as deserving family status. The largest of these is called Papilionaceae as a family (with Fabaceae allowed by Art 18.6 as alternative). As a subfamily it is called either Papilionoideae or Faboideae (Art 19.7).

Thus, Fabaceae will refer to either of two families, which are quite different in size. The world at large uses Leguminosae for the bigger of these families, but in the US it is preferred to use Fabaceae. In Australia also, Fabaceae is popular but refers to the smaller family.