The versatility of the legumes enhances their great economic importance as a food or forage. They fix nitrogen, conserve soils and provide timber, fuel and important legume crops.

The recognition of I family or 3 families within the Leguminales may still be regarded as a matter of opinion, but in general the evidence seems to support the concept of a single family, as few genera are transitional between the 3 major groups" as indicated in Polhill & Raven (1981), Advances in legume systematics pt 1. Their concept is accepted here and their systematic treatment followed.

(Source: Jessop & Toelken 1986, Flora of South Australia)