Leguminous and non-leguminous plants belong to the flowering families in the Plant kingdom. The leguminous plants are well known for their nitrogen-fixing capacity; however, many non-leguminous plants also fix atmospheric nitrogen.
Refer: What are the Uses of Legumes?
Let us differentiate between the two types of plants in the table below:
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Leguminous Plants |
Non-leguminous Plants |
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Description |
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Leguminous plants are flowering plants that belong to the family Fabaceae. |
Non-leguminous plants are flowering plants that belong to different classes except Fabaceae. |
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Family |
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All leguminous plants belong to the Fabaceae family. Fabaceae is the third-largest family of flowering plants. |
Orchidaceae and Asteraceae are two of the many non-leguminous families. They are the two largest families in the plant kingdom. |
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Leaves |
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The leaves are pinnate, compound and stipulated. |
The leaves can be simple or compound; stipulated or unstipulated. |
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Symbiotic Relationship |
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They form symbiotic relations with the bacteria Rhizobia. |
Many dicotyledonous plants form symbiotic relations with actinomycetes. E.g., Frankia |
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Fruit |
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The fruit is a legume or pod. |
The fruits are of different types. |
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Use |
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Visit BYJU’S Biology to learn more.
Also Read:
- Leguminous plants improve soil fertility. How?
- Difference between Lentils, Pulses and Legumes
- Are Legumes C3 Or C4?
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Rhizobium and legume symbiotic organisms?
Yes, Rhizobium and legumes are a symbiotic organism. Rhizobium supplies amino acids to the plants and receives organic acids in return.
What is non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation?
The fixing of nitrogen by free-living microbes in the soil, not associated symbiotically with plants is known as the non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
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