THE PEA FAMILY 
[ORDER XXV. LEGUMINOSZE] 
T HIS family is distinguished by the 5 unequal butterfly-shaped petals and by the pod-like 
fruit (a legume) opening down both sides. It is divided into 3 sub-orders, of which only one, 
Papilionaceae, is represented in the British Isles. In it both the above characteristics are 
present, and the filaments of the 10 stamens are always united into one or two bundles. In a 
few tropical species the fruit becomes a fleshy, plum-like fruit (a drupe), but then the flowers are 
butterfly-shaped ; while in the other 2 sub-orders, one represented by Cassias and the other by 
Mimosas, the flower is not butterfly-shaped, but the fruit is always a legume. 
The Pea Family is a very important and a very large one — in numbers second only to the 
Daisy Family (Compositae). It is distributed all over the world, in the temperate as in the tropical 
regions, and its members vary in size from forest trees to little prostrate herbs. 
Among the many cultivated species to be found in our gardens and greenhouses are the False 
Acacia (Robinia) and Laburnum ; the Bladder Senna, Wistaria, and Sensitive plant (Mimosa) ; the 
crimson clusters of the French Honeysuckle, the Lupin, and many other beautiful examples. 
As foods, peas, beans, and lentils are of great use. 
Clovers, Lucerne, Vetches, and Sainfoin are invaluable as fodder; Indigo and Logwood are 
useful as dyes ; the Rosewood, Brazilwood, and the American Locust Trees make excellent timber ; 
the Arabian Acacias and the Wattle Gums of Australia give us gum ; and many species are valu- 
able medicinally, such as the Senna, Liquorice, and Tamarind plants. 
GREEN-WEED. (GENISTA, LINN.) — Flowers yellow, in clusters, terminating the main stem 
and branches (racemes). Calyx of 5 sepals united into a bell-shaped tube, and separating into 5 
teeth, of which the 2 upper are much longer than the 3 lower ; corolla of 5 irregular petals, 
butterfly-shaped (papilionaceous) ; stamens 10, the filaments all united into a complete sheath 
round the seedcase (monadelphous) ; carpel 1 ; fruit a long pod, much longer than the calyx, 
oblong, with several seeds. Small shrubs, sometimes with spines, the leaves usually simple and 
entire, with inconspicuous stipules. 
Petty or Needle Whin. (Genista angelica, Linn.)— As just described. Flowers about 
£ inch long, yellow, in loose clusters (racemes). The pod oval, smooth, inflated ; the stem about 
1 foot high, woody, and spinous ; and the leaves small, undivided (simple), egg- or lance-shaped. 
Not common. Heaths and commons. May — June. Shrub. 
Hairy Green-weed. (Genista pilosa, Linn.)— A similar shrub, with the outside of the 
sepals, petals, pods, and the underside of the leaves covered with silky hairs, and the stems having 
no spines. 
Rare, local. Dry sandy and gravelly heaths. May and again in September. Shrub. 
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