Final answer:
The Fabaceae or pea family is the plant family with pods containing a single row of seeds, known for crops such as soybeans that produce legumes with 2-3 seeds. Soybeans can be harvested dry or green and the family plays a crucial role in agriculture, classified as eudicots within the angiosperms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The plant family with pods that contain a single row of seeds is known as the Fabaceae family, commonly referred to as the pea family. This family includes a variety of edible crops, which are often harvested for their seeds or beans. Among the different genera within the Fabaceae family, soybeans are a noteworthy member. These plants produce legumes, the official term for their fruit type, which are pods typically less than 10 centimeters in length and contain 2-3 seeds. The soybean plant stands out due to its importance in food production, with the ability to be harvested either dry as 'pulse' crops or green as vegetable crops. Members of this family are known for their large quantities of seeds, often enveloped in a cottony tuft of hairs, and are part of the larger group of angiosperms (flowering plants), specifically the subset known as eudicots.
Additionally, the structure and arrangement of flowers and pods can vary within this family, including variations in pod color, seed pod fullness, and the location of the flowers on the plant. Understanding the characteristics of the pea family aids in recognizing these plants and appreciating their agricultural significance.