Caesalpiniaceae: Characters, Economic Importance, Distribution and Types

Caesalpiniaceae (Cassia family)

Diagnostic characters of Caesalpiniaceae:

This family has 152 genera and 2300 species exist in the world. It has 16 genera and 60 species are known in Pakistan.

1. Habit: Mostly tree or shrubs. Some are woody climbers, rarely herbs.

2. Stem: It is erect, woody herbaceous or climbing.

3. Leaves: The leaves are compound (rarely simple), pinnate and stipulate.

4. Inflorescence: It may be axillary or terminal raceme or it may be panicle or spikes. It is rarely cymose. It is showy.

5. Flower: The flower is bisexual, zygomorphic (rarely actinomorphic) and perigynous.

6. Calyx: Sepals are 5, They are often coloured and free or connate at the base.

7. Corolla: Mostly 5, free petals.

8. Androecium: Stamen are 10 or less (rarely numerous). They maybe free or variously united.

9. Gynoecium: They have one simple carpel. The ovary is superior and unilocular (one . Chamber), Placentation is marginal. Stigma is simple.

10. Fruit: Its fruit is legume.

11. Seed: Ex-albuminous.

Floral formula of Caesalpiniaceae:

⚥ K(5) C1+2+(2) A10 G1̅

Floral diagram of Caesalpiniaceae:

Economic importance of Caesalpiniaceae:

1. Medicinal importance: The leaves of Cassia alata are used to cure ring worm an skin diseases. The leaves of Cassia senna and Cassia obovata give a drug called Senna. Senna forms a base for a laxative. Oil is extracted/bring-out from the seeds of Cauliflora Cynometera. This oil has medicinal significance as it is applied externally for skin diseases. 

2. Ornamental plants: Bauhinia varigata generally known as (kuchnar; used as veg.), Cassia fistula (Amaltas) and Parkinsonia are used as ornamental plants in gardens and parks or houses.

3. Vegetables and fruits: The leaves and flower bud of Bauhinia variegate are utilize as vegetable for edible purposes. The acidic fruit of Tamarindus indica of this family are edible. It is rich source of tartaric acid.

4. Tanning and dyes: The bark of Buahinia and Tamarindus belongs to family Caesalpiniaceae indica is used in tanning. 

Common species of Caesalpiniaceae:

a) Tamarindus indica. 

b) Cassia fistula generally called as amaltas.

c) Bauhinia varigata generally known as Kachnar. 

(d) Cassia senna.