Thorn trees earn their name - these trees (and shrubs) have branches that are covered with elongated, very sharp thorns, which help keep predators at bay. Often, thorn trees live in very arid environments, where protecting leaves and water resources is extra important.

Coffeetrees are a small genus of trees characterized by their long legumes, or bean pods. They are commonly known as coffeetrees because of these coffee-like beans. All species produce green-white flowers but these only emerge after the trees have experienced long spells of warm weather.

Golden chain trees are small trees that, like many other members of the pea family, are copious flower producers. Blooming with brilliant yellow pea-flowers during the spring, golden chain trees' showiness makes them popular ornamentals for parks and gardens. The wood from golden chain trees is also quite prized, sporting a deeply-colored heartwood and being used in the creation of everything from flutes to cabinetry.

The thirteen species all are trees, native to tropical Africa or Asia. The seeds are red and black and are used as beads.

Ceratonia are a small collection of evergreen trees and shrubs with glossy, dark-green, pinnate leaves. Though there are only a few species, they have proven to be very important worldwide. The trees of this genus are primarily cultivated for their pods, especially carob, which is used for food and animal fodder. Ceratonia are also cultivated as ornamentals or grown for timber.

Melilots (Melilotus) is a family of aggressively spreading groundcover perennials that were introduced to North America to help create grazing areas for livestock, but it has since become uncontrollable. It is so aggressive that it can easily choke out established native grasses. Animals, both wild and domestic, do love to graze on it, though!

False Indigo are not members of the same genus as true indigo, which is used to make indigo dye. However, many species of false Indigo are used for indigo dye substitute, which has given them the nickname 'false indigos.' Many false Indigo boast showy purple flowers and are used as ornamentals in gardens and parks.

It consists of a number of species of perennials native to Asia.

Saraca are tropical leguminous trees found in South China and tropical Asia. Some species are cultivated as ornamentals for their colorful red, orange, or yellow flower clusters, as well as for shade. Sometimes they are planted near Buddhist shrines as sacred trees, while others are grown for their light timber (babai) which can be used to make packaging.

The flowering shrubs known as retama grow in arid habitats. They have white and dark red, purple, or yellow flowers that sprout from stiff, slender green branches. They are mostly grown as ornamental plants by those who appreciate their flowering blooms and pleasant smell.

Afgekia is a small genus of large perennial climbing shrubs native to Asia.

Dendrolobium is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae. It belongs to the subfamily Faboideae. The genus included 18 accepted species and 8 unresolved species.

Swainsona is a large genus of flowering plants native to Australasia. There are 85 species, all but one of which is endemic to Australia.

False indigos have unusual flowers with only one petal. These plants are a food source for many species of moth and butterflies of the large Lepidoptera order, who feed on these plants during their larval stage. The larvae of the leadplant flower moth (Schinia lucens) feed exclusively on false indigos.

Leucomphalos is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, found in west Africa.

Caesalpinia are trees and shrubs that are native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Many species sport fern-like leaves and fanciful flowers in shades of red, orange, or yellow, making them popular ornamentals. These are great plants to add to a garden if you want to attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Kidneywoods are a small genus of a little more than a dozen flowering plants. They are deciduous shrubs or small trees that are notable for producing aromatic resins and thin seeds contained by curved seed pods. The genus is native to hot dry habitats in Central and North America.

Argyrolobium is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae.

Abrus is a genus of flowering plants in the pea family. It contains 13–18 species.

Lysidice is a plant genus in the subfamily Detarioideae. The two known species occur in East and Southeast Asia.

Piptanthus is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae, and the subfamily Faboideae.

Soybeans are annual legumes with beans that are rich in protein, making some species popular edible crops. Soybeans are a bushy East Asia native with species also used for bio-fuels, synthetic fiber, and green manure.

The genus broom has a sole species. This species is native to the Mediterranean in southern Europe, southwest Asia and northwest Africa. Broom is a vigorous, deciduous shrub growing to 2 to 4 m tall with main stems up to 5 cm thick. It has thick, somewhat succulent grey-green rush-like shoots with very sparse small deciduous leaves. In late spring and summer shoots are covered in profuse fragrant yellow pea-like flowers. In late summer, the legumes (seed pods) mature black.

The delicate pea-like flowers of the white tumbleweed plants are one of the reasons that this genus is prized by gardeners. Their downy petite leaves and the warty aesthetic of their bark make them easy to identify and attractive garden specimens. White tumbleweed can be propagated from seed and flourish alongside waterways.

Their Acacia-like leaves are bi-pinnately compound. Unlike Acacia their thorns are hardened branchlets rather than modified stipules. They are native from Africa to Australasia, but a centre of diversity is present in Madagascar. They have bi-colored inflorescences.

Haematoxylum is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae and the tribe Caesalpinieae.

Horse-eye beans has more than 100 living species, mostly trees or large shrubs, are distributed throughout the tropical regions of the world, some extending into temperate zones, especially in East Asia. The seeds of these plants are poisonous if eaten, but often look pretty, with bright colors and decorative patterns reminiscent of an eye.

Necklacepodss are a diverse group of medium-sized shrubs and trees that have a global distribution being mostly native to warm, subtropical, and tropical regions. Necklacepodss showy-pea shaped flowers, pollinator-friendliness, and general hardiness have made many of them sought-after ornamental plants.

Archidendron is a genus of flowering plants in the pea family, Fabaceae.

Millettia grow throughout tropical climates all over the world. At least one species is used to produce biofuel, which is sought after because it can be made without the use of fossil fuels. The plants of this genus all contain clusters of lobes attached to central stems.

Zornia is a cosmopolitan genus of herbs from the legume family Fabaceae.

Butterfly peas are a small genus of legumes comprising ten or so species that are mainly found in tropical areas. Some species are used as animal fodder providing livestock with a protein-rich diet. All butterfly peas species are climbing vines that feature attractive flowers. They are used as green manure in parts of the tropics.

Cologania is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae.

Texas ebonies are large shrubs or small trees that produce fuzzy, mimosa-like flowers, usually cream or yellow in color. As the season progresses, these flowers turn into characteristic pea-like pods. The pods carry the seeds and they turn dark brown or even black as they mature.

Phyllodium is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae.

Parkia is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae. About 35 species were known. Parkias are found throughout the tropics.

Honey locusts are a small group of graceful but often thorny, medium-sized trees. Many species are valued for their slender growth habit and lacy effect, making them great ornamentals in gardens and parks. Thornless varieties are often planted throughout cities. Some species are also useful as timber or animal fodder.

Styphnolobium are a small genus of tree species that can be found in temperate to seasonally dry tropical woodland areas. Some of the species are widely used in bonsai gardening and the leaves and flowers are deciduous.

Spatholobus is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae.

Schizolobium is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae.

All species of the genus are thorny shrubs.

Gliricidia are a small genus containing a handful of species of flowering trees. These small, deciduous trees are grown ornamentally for their elegant and profuse pink flowers. The tree also produces termite-resistant wood that is used to make furniture and also as a fuel source.

The genus amherstia includes only one species. Amherstia is a tropical tree with large, showy flowers. The extravagant flowers are seen hanging from the long inflorescence, or flower stalk, which is a bright crimson red at the end. There are 5 crimson petals. The two medium-sized petals are yellow at the tip and the largest petal is broad and fan-shaped with a wavy upper margin and a yellow triangle of colour extending from the lip down into the flower. The compound leaves bear 6 - 8 large leaflets; these are broadly oblong in shape and are pallid underneath. The fruits are roughly scimitar-shaped pods, and the woody outer case opens to disperse the seeds. It is native to Burma, and widely cultivated for ornament in the humid tropics.

Moneyworts are flowering plants that originate in tropical Africa, Asia, and Australia. They are often grown in pastures so that sheep, cattle, and horses can forage upon them. Nematodes and caterpillers are the main threats to the growth of moneyworts.

Sesbania are often found in wet or aquatic habitats. Usually inhabitants of tropical areas, sesbania are nitrogen fixers, meaning they add nitrogen to soil they are planted in, many are also grown for soil enrichment.

Lysiloma is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae.

Coral trees (Erythrina) include several widely-distributed species that can grow up to 30 meters in height. Bright red flowers are a feature of many of these trees, but not all species sport this color, with Erythrina sandwicensis varying in color between white, yellow, orange, and green. Regardless of the color, birds love the flowers, and nearly all species have a legume-type pod.

Anthyllis is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae. This genus contains both herbaceous and shrubby species and is distributed in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

Tropical peltophorum are prized as ornamental plants in gardens and shade trees in parks. The trees grow lovely yellow flower bunches in the summer which turn into seed pods. These flowers can support bee colonies with their high nectar and pollen production. Meanwhile, the wood can be used as fuel or in carpentry.

Sennas are a large genus of flowering plants typically found in tropical and some temperate regions. This genus includes shrubs, herbs, and trees. Some species contain tanbark used in treating leather while some contain anthraquinones used in dyes and pigments.

A genus with a single species, dipogon are a south African native climber with beautiful flowers. A legume, its one species is often planted for its nitrogen-fixing abilities as well as as an ornamental. Unfortunately, it is a fast grower, chokes or crowds out other plants, and tends to escape cultivation. It has been declared a noxious weed in Australia and New Zealand.

Goat's rues are a small genus of legumes that can be recognized by their pea-like flowers which come in shades of white, blue, or pinkish-red. These showy flowers have made them popular ornamentals, especially in cultivar form. They are known for their strong, highly branched stems.

Glory pea is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae. They have striking clusters of red flowers. There is also a variety with white to creamy coloured flowers. Glory pea grows to around 2 m high, with spreading branches producing leaf stalks bearing several pairs of small leaflets. Glory pea comprise two species of shrubs. They are native to New Zealand.

Compared to other Faboideae the genus has unusual systems of root nodules and fruits, which are drupes. Andira is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae. It is distributed in the tropical Americas, except for one species, which also occurs in Africa.

Coronilla are late bloomers, producing clusters of flowers from late fall to early spring. This makes them popular plants in windy or coastal winter gardens where the hardy plants can grow in sunny locations. The flower clusters produce a sweet scent in warm sunshine and give the plants a crown-shaped appearance when in bloom.

Blue oxalis is a prostrate herb, growing up to 10 to 20 cm tall. Its leaves are trifoliate (three-parted, like a clover leaf), with each leaflet being 8 to 20 mm long and similarly wide (exceptionally up to 4 cm). The flowers of P. communis are borne singly or in clusters of up to three flowers on stalks that are typically 8 to 15 cm long, but can be 1.5 to 25 cm long. The flowers are generally blue, but occasionally white or purple. Each pod is 1.5 to 2.5 cm long and 4 to 5 mm wide and contains 8–12 seeds, with each seed being around 2 mm long and slightly kidney-shaped, somewhat narrower than long. The genus blue oxalis has only one species. It is found in the mountains of Asia and tropical Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand.

Bush cloverss are members of the pea family that generally sport purplish-pink flowers. Some species of bush clovers are shrub-like, while others grow as vines. As nitrogen-fixers, bush cloverss tend to be high in protein, and some species are used as cover crops. While some species are used as popular ornamentals, many bush cloverss are considered highly invasive, due to their ability to grow quickly and choke out native forbs and grasses.

Spirotropis is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae.