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Questions and Answers
What type of leaves are most commonly found in the Caesalpiniaceae family?
What type of leaves are most commonly found in the Caesalpiniaceae family?
- Pinnate or bipinnate (correct)
- Entire margin
- Quadripinnate
- Simple or bilobed
Which of the following species provides a powerful laxative?
Which of the following species provides a powerful laxative?
- Honey locust
- Senna (correct)
- Tamarind
- Carob
What is a notable use of tamarind pods?
What is a notable use of tamarind pods?
- Flavoring in sauces (correct)
- Construction material
- Animal feed
- Paper production
What morphological feature is observed in Petalostylis species?
What morphological feature is observed in Petalostylis species?
What characteristic is observed in Labichea species within the Caesalpiniaceae family?
What characteristic is observed in Labichea species within the Caesalpiniaceae family?
What was the main reason O'Neill expressed relief regarding the Vienna decision?
What was the main reason O'Neill expressed relief regarding the Vienna decision?
What is the floral arrangement of Acacia flowers typically characterized by?
What is the floral arrangement of Acacia flowers typically characterized by?
Which statement accurately describes the leaves of many Australian Acacia species?
Which statement accurately describes the leaves of many Australian Acacia species?
What is the floral symmetry of Acacia flowers?
What is the floral symmetry of Acacia flowers?
Which of the following is true about the structure of Acacia flowers?
Which of the following is true about the structure of Acacia flowers?
Which of the following is a key characteristic of plants in the Fabaceae family?
Which of the following is a key characteristic of plants in the Fabaceae family?
What happens to the leaves during the development of species with phyllodes?
What happens to the leaves during the development of species with phyllodes?
Which subfamily of Fabaceae includes the group commonly known as wattles?
Which subfamily of Fabaceae includes the group commonly known as wattles?
Which of the following accurately describes phyllodes in Acacias?
Which of the following accurately describes phyllodes in Acacias?
What role do Acacia species play in their ecosystems, especially in disturbed sites?
What role do Acacia species play in their ecosystems, especially in disturbed sites?
Why did the Australians celebrate the wattle as a national symbol?
Why did the Australians celebrate the wattle as a national symbol?
What is the significance of the golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha) to Australia?
What is the significance of the golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha) to Australia?
Which statement about the distribution of the Acacia genus in Australia is correct?
Which statement about the distribution of the Acacia genus in Australia is correct?
What event celebrates the cultural importance of wattle in Australia?
What event celebrates the cultural importance of wattle in Australia?
In terms of habitat, which of the following is NOT a typical environment for members of the Fabaceae family?
In terms of habitat, which of the following is NOT a typical environment for members of the Fabaceae family?
Which of the following statements about the subfamily Caesalpinioideae is true?
Which of the following statements about the subfamily Caesalpinioideae is true?
What is a characteristic of Acacia leaves?
What is a characteristic of Acacia leaves?
Which use of Acacia wood is NOT mentioned?
Which use of Acacia wood is NOT mentioned?
What was a traditional use of Acacia roots by Aboriginal people?
What was a traditional use of Acacia roots by Aboriginal people?
What is the primary agricultural benefit of Acacia species?
What is the primary agricultural benefit of Acacia species?
What is the national emblem of Australia?
What is the national emblem of Australia?
Which family does the Acacia belong to?
Which family does the Acacia belong to?
What characteristic feature is NOT typical of the Caesalpiniaceae flowers?
What characteristic feature is NOT typical of the Caesalpiniaceae flowers?
How are the stamens characterized in the flowers of the Senna genus within Caesalpiniaceae?
How are the stamens characterized in the flowers of the Senna genus within Caesalpiniaceae?
What is the primary type of fruit produced by the Fabaceae family?
What is the primary type of fruit produced by the Fabaceae family?
Which of the following subfamilies is NOT part of the Fabaceae family?
Which of the following subfamilies is NOT part of the Fabaceae family?
Where is the greatest diversity of legume species typically found?
Where is the greatest diversity of legume species typically found?
What is a key ecological relationship that legumes have?
What is a key ecological relationship that legumes have?
How many species belong to the Caesalpiniaceae family within the Fabaceae?
How many species belong to the Caesalpiniaceae family within the Fabaceae?
What advantage do ants provide to legume seeds?
What advantage do ants provide to legume seeds?
Which of the following statements about Western Australian legumes is true?
Which of the following statements about Western Australian legumes is true?
What is the function of the elaiosomes associated with legume seeds?
What is the function of the elaiosomes associated with legume seeds?
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Study Notes
General Background & Distribution
- Family Fabaceae, also known as legumes, is the third largest flowering plant group, comprising 18,000 species in 650 genera.
- The highest diversity occurs in tropical and subtropical regions, with absence in Antarctica and the Arctic.
- Australia hosts 1885 species, with over 1400 found in Western Australia (WA).
- Legumes are essential for food, fodder, and timber, second only to grasses globally.
Taxonomy
- Fabaceae consists of three main subfamilies:
- Mimosoideae (Wattles)
- Caesalpinioideae (Cassias)
- Papilionoideae (Peas)
- Monophyletic classification: all subfamilies are part of one family, Fabaceae.
General Characteristics
- Fruit type: legume (pod) formed from a single superior carpel, dehiscent into two valves.
- Ripe legumes dry and split to release seeds.
- Seeds are high in protein and often collected by ants due to special food bodies (elaiosomes), enhancing their survival chances.
Nitrogen Fixation
- Legumes have a symbiotic relationship with bacteria, namely Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium, located in root nodules.
- This nitrogen fixation process improves soil quality and contributes to protein-rich plant sources.
Morphological Traits
- Habit: includes trees, shrubs, scrambling subshrubs, vines, or herbs, adapting to diverse habitats from deserts to rainforests.
- Specific features include:
- Mimosaceae (Wattles): Common genus Acacia, with over 1000 species in Australia, often found in arid conditions.
- Caesalpiniaceae (Cassias): Approximately 150 genera and 2200 species, prevalent in tropical regions.
Floral Morphology of Acacias
- Flowers arranged in heads or spikes, featuring prominent stamens exserted beyond petals.
- Actinomorphic and bisexual, with two whorls of inconspicuous petals and sepals.
Vegetative Morphology of Acacias
- Characterized by woody trees and shrubs, with bipinnate leaves.
- Some Australian species have phyllodes (flattened petioles) replacing true leaves, adapting for survival.
Aboriginal and Current Uses of Acacias
- Historical uses include food (seeds, pods), and materials for tools and nets.
- Current applications involve timber (such as Blackwood), shelter belts, food (wattle seed), and wildlife habitat restoration.
Importance of Acacia as National Symbol
- The Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) is Australia’s national flower, symbolizing the country's identity.
- Wattle Day, celebrated on September 1, marks the first day of spring and has cultural significance for Aboriginal communities.
Overview of Caesalpiniaceae
- Noted for their zygomorphic flowers and diverse leaf forms, including pinnate and bipinnate leaves.
- Economically significant for laxative-producing species (Senna) and culinary uses (tamarind and carob).
Key Examples of Genera
- Mimosaceae: Dominated by Acacia species, adapted to various environments.
- Caesalpiniaceae: Includes genera like Senna, Labichea, and Petalostylis, each having unique floral and vegetative traits.
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