Presented in Association with the Western New Mexico University Department
of Natural Sciences
Fabaceae (Bean Family, Leguminosae)
The Fabaceae are a large family, well represented in the Gila National Forest,
with irregular flowers and pinnately or palmately compound leaves. The fruit is a pea-like pod.
The flowers are composed of banner, wings, and keel. The keel is made up of two fused petals. The
banner looks like two fused petals, but is actually only one petal with two lobes.