Pictured above: Spurred butterfly pea (Centrosemavirginianum) by Emily Bell
178 species native to Florida Source: Atlas of Florida Plants Note: Recognized taxa may differ between sources, depending on which taxonomic approach is followed.
Family characteristics
Fabaceae is the third-largest flowering plant family, with around 20,000 recognized species consisting of trees, shrubs, vines and wildflowers. The typical flower of this family features a broad upper petal and two lower petals that are fused to form a keel. This pattern is seen in wildflowers like Lady lupine (Lupinus villosus), White wild indigo (Baptisia alba) and Rabbitbells (Crotalaria rotundifolia). However, floral stuctures vary widely across this family, as demonstrated by species like Sunshine mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa), False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa) and Summer farewell (Dalea pinnata).
Wild white indigo (Baptisia alba) flowers. Photo by Emily Bell
False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa) flowers. Photo by Emily Bell
Bumble bee on Summer farewell (Dalea pinnata). Photo by Emily Bell
More consistent characteristics of this family are found in the leaves and fruits. Fabaceae leaves are typically compound — often even- or oddly pinnate or trifoliate — and always have stipules. The fruits are most typically legumes: simple, dry pods containing multiple seeds that often split along a seam as they dry, releasing the seeds.
Ceraunus blue (Hemiargus ceraunus) on Sunshine mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa) leaves. Note the pinnate leaves typical of the Fabaceae family. Photo by Emily Bell
Seed pod of Coralbean (Erythrina herbacea). Note that, typical of the Fabaceae family this legume has dried and split open along a seam. Photo by Emily Bell
Groundnut (Apios americana) is edible and has a rich history of cultural use. Photo by Emily Bell
Interesting facts
Around 90% of the plants in this family are nitrogen fixers, meaning that through a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria, they can convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms. This enriches the soil and, in agricultural and garden settings, can reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers.
A number of butterflies in Florida rely on Fabaceae species as host plants for their larvae, including the Cloudless sulphur (Phoebis sennae), Sleepy orange (Abaeis nicippe), Long-tailed skipper (Urbanus proteus) and Ceraunus blue (Hemiargus ceraunus).
Many legumes have been a staple in the human diet for millennia. Some of the most well- known commercial legumes today include soybeans and peanuts. Groundnut (Apios americana) is an edible native legume with a rich history of cultural use.
Explore Florida native wildflowers in the Fabaceae family
Partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) is a larval host for several butterflies, including the Gray hairstreak and Cloudless sulphur. The plant is also used by bees, ants, flies, wasps, birds and other wildlife.
Lady lupine (Lupinus villosus) is a stunning spring bloomer endemic to the Southeastern Coastal Plain. It thrives in the deep, well-drained sandy soils of sandhill habitats.
Summer farewell (Dalea adenopoda), also commonly known as Tampa prairie clover, is an aptly named fall blooming wildflower endemic to Central and South Florida.
Of Florida’s four native Lupine species, the Sundial lupine (Lupinus perennis) has a unique style, from its ombré blooms that transition from light blue to violet purple to its palmately compound leaves.
Florida Keys blackbead is a lovely tropical shrub common to coastal hammocks in Southeast Florida. Its beautiful blooms and wildlife value make it a great addition to the home landscape.
Pineland leatherroot (Orbexilum virgatum) is an exceptionally rare and beautiful perennial wildflower that inhabits dry to moist areas of pine savannahs. Its bright purple flowers bloom from late spring into midsummer.
Southern twayblade (Neottia bifolia) is a small terrestrial orchid found in bogs, moist hardwood forests, swamps and marshes throughout the eastern U.S. and Canada. In Florida, it is a threatened species, having been documented in only 19 counties. It blooms primarily in January, but may bloom between December and March. It is often found growing among Cinnamon ferns, however, Southern twayblade’s camouflaging colors, short thin flowers and low stature make it difficult to spot. For this reason, the plant may have a greater distribution than documented.
Rabbitbells (Crotalaria rotundifolia) is a low-growing wildflower found in pinelands, sandhills and disturbed sandy areas throughout Florida. Its small yellow flowers bloom throughout the year, attracting mostly bees. The unassuming plant often goes unnoticed as its flowers do not open until the afternoon and remain open only for one day. Of the 15 species of Crotalaria that occur in Florida, only four are native. Rabbitbells is the most common and widespread of the native species.
Sweet acacia (Vachellia farnesiana) is an aptly named shrub to small tree with golden, sweet-scented flowers that bloom year-round, peaking in winter. These nectar-rich flowers attract a variety of pollinators, especially butterflies like the Red-banded hairstreak. The plant’s dense foliage provides cover for birds and small animals. Few birds eat the pods. Sweet acacia occurs naturally in pinelands, coastal hammocks and shell middens throughout Central and South Florida, with rare populations in three Panhandle counties. In Europe, the plant is cultivated for use in perfumes.
Also known as Pink prairie clover and Pinktassels, Whitetassels (Dalea carnea var. carnea) is an uncommon wildflower found in mesic flatwoods, open meadows and pine rocklands. Its distinct flowers bloom in late spring through early fall and are attractive to pollinators, especially bees. The seeds are eaten by birds and other wildlife.
Also known as Seaside bean, beach bean, coastal jackbean and Mackenzie bean, Bay bean (Canavalia rosea) is a sprawling, mat-forming vine. It occurs naturally in coastal strands and on dunes where it helps control erosion by stabilizing the sand. It blooms year-round, peaking in summer and fall. The flowers attract a variety of insects, but are primarily pollinated by bees.
Gray nicker (Guilandina bonduc) is a vine-like shrub found in coastal strands and mangrove swamps along Florida’s central and southern coasts, where it clambers over other vegetation. Its striking clusters of fragrant yellow flowers typically bloom in spring and summer, but may bloom year-round in South Florida. The plant is a larval host for the Miami blue and Nickerbean blue butterflies.
Yellow necklacepod ( Sophora tomentosa var. truncata) is a long-lived flowering shrub that occurs naturally in coastal strands, hammocks and dunes throughout Central and South Florida.
Chapman’s wild sensitive plant (Senna mexicana var. chapmanii) is a state-listed threatened species. Its many flowers are visited by a variety of native bees and butterflies. All members of the Senna genus are larval host plants for Sulphur caterpillars.
Spurred butterfly-pea (Centrosema virginianum) is a trailing or climbing vine that occurs naturally in pine flatwoods, sandhills, coastal strands and interdunal swales. Its showy flowers typically bloom in summer.
Summer farewell (Dalea pinnata) blooms late summer through early fall. Its many flowers attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators. Its seeds provide food for birds and small wildlife.
False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa) has a striking spring and summer floral display that attracts many pollinators. The plant is a larval host for the Silver-spotted skipper, Southern dogface and Gray hairstreak butterflies.
White wild indigo (Baptisia alba) has showy white blooms that attract many pollinators. The plant is a larval host plant for the Wild indigo duskywing and Zarucco duskywing butterflies.
Privet senna (Senna ligustrina ) occurs naturally in hammocks and disturbed areas. Its flowers are mainly bee-pollinated, but the plant is a larval host for the Cloudless sulphur and Sleepy orange butterflies.
Sunshine mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa) has showy “powderpuff” flowers that bloom spring through summer, attracting mostly bees. The plant is a larval host for the Little sulphur butterfly.
