The present work aimed to obtain the largest possible number of information on Caesalpinioideae and Mimosoideae species native to RS, with forage value. Nine species were classified in this way: Caesalpinia epunctata (Vog.) Benth., Cassia patellaria DC., Cassia pilifera Vog., Cassia repens Vog. , Cassia rotundifolia Pers., Desmanthus depressusHumb. & Bonpl. ex Willd., Mimosa dutrae Malme, Mimosa flagellaris Benth., Prosopis algarobilla Griseb. With the exception of C. rotundifolia , herbaceous and P. algarobilla, of arboreal size, the other species can be characterized as shrub, of variable height, being able to reach 1 m. Most species are perennial, although Cassia patellaria may exhibit annual plant behavior in some cases. According to the observations obtained, the species present a summer development and can be found, in general, in dry fields. In relation to the forage interest, C. epunctata , C. repens , D. depressus and M. flagellaris are considered regular foragers whereas C. pilifera and C. patellaria are considered as poor in this regard. C. rotundifoliapresents soft forage well accepted by the cattle in several regions of the country, the same does not occur in the South, where even attempts for its culture failed. P. algarobilla , although limited to a small area of the state, appears to be a species with good potential.
