SG Heritage Dictionary

Papilionaceous [Adjective] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. Resembling the butterfly; a term in botany, used to describe the corols of plants which have the shape of a butterfly, such as that of the pea. The papilionaceous plants are of the leguminous kind.

2. The papilionaceous corol is usually four-petaled, having an upper spreading petal, called the banner, two side petals called wings, and a lower petal called the keel.

Papilionaceous [Adjective] Webster's Dictionary 1913

1. Resembling the butterfly.

2. Having a winged corolla somewhat resembling a butterfly, as in the blossoms of the bean and pea.

3. Belonging to that suborder of leguminous plants (Papilionaceae) which includes the bean, pea, vetch, clover, and locust.