Fabales

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Fabales is an order of flowering plants in the angiosperms group. This order is part of the Rosids clade within the eudicots. The Fabales order includes four families: Fabaceae, Polygalaceae, Quillajaceae, and Surianaceae.

Families

Fabaceae

The Fabaceae, also known as the legume, pea, or bean family, is the largest family within the Fabales order. It includes a wide variety of plants, such as herbs, shrubs, and trees. This family is economically significant due to its role in agriculture and horticulture. Many species within this family are used as food crops, such as beans, peas, and lentils.

Polygalaceae

The Polygalaceae, or milkwort family, consists of herbs, shrubs, and small trees. This family is known for its unique floral structures and is found in various habitats worldwide. Some species are used in traditional medicine and as ornamental plants.

Quillajaceae

The Quillajaceae family is a small family with only one genus, Quillaja. The most well-known species is Quillaja saponaria, commonly known as the soapbark tree. This species is notable for its saponin content, which is used in various industrial applications, including as a foaming agent.

Surianaceae

The Surianaceae family includes a small number of species, primarily tropical and subtropical shrubs and trees. This family is less economically significant compared to the Fabaceae but includes species that are important in their native ecosystems.

Characteristics

Plants in the Fabales order typically have compound leaves and produce flowers with five petals. The flowers are often zygomorphic, meaning they have bilateral symmetry. The fruit is usually a legume, which is a type of dry fruit that splits open along two seams to release the seeds.

Distribution

Fabales are found worldwide, with species adapted to a wide range of environments, from tropical rainforests to temperate regions. The Fabaceae family, in particular, has a cosmopolitan distribution.

Economic Importance

The Fabales order is of great economic importance, especially the Fabaceae family. Many species are cultivated for their edible seeds, such as soybeans, chickpeas, and peanuts. Additionally, some species are used as forage crops for livestock, and others are grown for their ornamental value.

Related Pages

• Angiosperms
• Rosids
• Eudicots
• Legume
• Agriculture
• Horticulture