Caesalpiniaceae

Caesalpinia, after Andrea Cesalpini (1519-1603) an Italian botanist (Professor at Padua) and physician to Pope Clement VIII. In Australia the legume families are usually treated separately. The family in the broad sense is referred to as the Fabaceae or by the old and alternative name of Leguminosae. The Caesalpiniaceae or Caesalpinioideae are trees or shrubs with alternate, compound leaves; extra-floral nectaries or glands are common on the rachis. The family/subfamily is distinguished by the posterior petal being overlapped by the lateral petals. Fertile stamens 3-10, filament often short, staminodes often present, anthers often opening by pores. Fruit is a pod.