Aeschynomene

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A genus of flowering plants in the legume family characterized by distinctive compound leaves and often found in tropical or subtropical regions; also refers to the herbaceous plants within this group used for forage or soil improvement
2. A group of tropical leguminous plants known for their pinnate leaves and papilionaceous flowers, commonly utilized in agriculture for fodder or green manure; also signifies individual species belonging to this botanical cluster
3. A classification of flowering legume species bearing characteristic leaf structures and flowers, frequently inhabiting warm climates and serving purposes such as livestock feed or soil nutrient enhancement

Etymology: Its Greek source, "aischynomenē," meant "shamefaced" or "bashful," the feminine form of a verb built on "aischynein," "to shame." The name fits a plant whose leaves close up when touched, as if withdrawing from attention. Some species in the group, such as the sensitive joint vetch, show this response. The Latinized form was adopted as a botanical name for the genus, which now includes many tropical herbs, shrubs, and small trees in the pea family. Their compound leaves are divided into many small leaflets, and their flowers have the pea-like shape typical of the family. Several species are grown as fodder for livestock or ploughed under as green manure to enrich the soil with nitrogen, a role shared by many legumes.

Synonyms: jointvetch, legume, forage plant