Let me share with you a difference between fabaceae and caesalpiniaceae.
| Aspect | Fabaceae | Caesalpiniaceae |
| Common name | Pea family | Cassia family |
| Flower Types | Typically papilionaceous (butterfly-like), with standard, wings, and keel petals | Petals fused or distinct, often with showy stamens |
| No. of stamens | Usually 10 (9 fused, 1 free) | Usually 10 |
| Leaves | Typically alternate, often compound with stipules | Usually alternate, sometimes compound, often with reduced or absent stipules |
| Fruits | Legumes (pods) are common | Pods or follicles |
| Stipules | Present, often large and leaf-like | Often absent or small and inconspicuous |
| Type of inflorescence | · Racemes
· Spikes · Panicles |
· Racemes · Spikes · Panicles |
| Common genera | · Glycine (soybean)
· Phaseolus (beans) · Medicago (alfalfa) |
· Delonix (flamboyant tree)
· Caesalpinia (poinciana) · Cassia (senna) |
| Alkaloids | Generally low in alkaloids | Some species may contain alkaloids, including cathartics |
| Economic Importance | · Major food crops (beans, lentils) Forage crops
· Nitrogen-fixing plants |
· Ornamental plants
· timber species · Some used in traditional medicine |
| Toxicity | Generally low toxicity | Some species may be toxic, requiring caution in use |
| Distribution | Widespread | Tropical and subtropical regions |