Published descriptions of suspensors from Mimosoideae (12 genera, 21 species), Caesalpinioideae (7 genera, 9 species), and Papilionoideae (about 65 genera, 150 species) were collated and compared with the most recent classification scheme of the Leguminosae. The first two subfamilies have mostly suspensorless embryos. Suspensors of various forms are usually present in the Papilionoideae (20 of the 32 tribes have been sampled). The putatively primitive and intermediately placed tribes have mostly inconspicuous suspensors. This is also true in some advanced tribes, but some or all members of other tribes have conspicuous suspensors of differing morphology: Phaseoleae, Loteae/Coronilleae, Vicieae/Cicereae/ Trifolieae, Crotalarieae, and Genisteae. There is no discernible correlation between suspensor development with amount of endosperm produced or amount present at maturity, or with habit, although elaborate suspensors are more common in derived herbaceous groups. Suspensor morphology helps to outline broad evolutionary trends in the family and to place studies on individual species in perspective.