10.1 Global availability of grasses and other wild plants

The grass family (gramineae or poaceae) is perhaps the most successful taxonomic group in the plant kingdom. Members of this group number about 9000 species distributed in about 635 genera and they grow in all ecosystems and agroclimatic zones. From economic and ecological standpoints, they are the most important species in the plant kingdom. The pea family (leguminosae or fabaceae) is the largest family of flowering plants and also contains a large number of species found flourishing in many ecosystems and agroclimatic zones. Both families of plants contain domesticated crops and wild plants which are being researched for their potentials as reliable sources of biofuels. These plants certainly have a significant role to play in an anticipated global scenario which is 100% dependent on bioenergy in the near future.