papilionaceous

[ puh-pil-ee-uh-ney-shuhs ]

adjective

, Botany.

1. having an irregular corolla shaped somewhat like a butterfly, as the pea and other leguminous plants.
2. belonging to the family Papilionaceae (Fabaceae), that is often included as part of the Leguminosae.

Word History and Origins

Origin of papilionaceous¹

1660–70; < Latin pāpiliōn- (stem of pāpiliō ) butterfly + -aceous

Example Sentences

Astragalus, a genus of papilionaceous plants, herbaceous or shrubby, and often spiny.

From Project Gutenberg

We now pass to the large order of Leguminous plants, characterised by their stipuled leaves, and irregular papilionaceous flowers.

From Project Gutenberg

Papilionaceous flowers are almost dead floorers to me, and I cannot experimentise, as castration alone often produces sterility.

From Project Gutenberg

It does not belong to the solanaceous, but to the papilionaceous or pea family, and its flowers have a delightful fragrance.

From Project Gutenberg

A central dorsal ridge, like the keel of a boat; the two anterior united petals of a papilionaceous flower.

From Project Gutenberg