Staminal tube evenly truncate. 213
212. Style bearded on the inner face. Flowers small. Corolla bluish-white;
keel somewhat pointed. Uppermost stamen free. Ovary almost
sessile. Ovules 2. Seeds flat.—Species 3. North Africa; also
cultivated in northern Central Africa. The seeds of L. esculenta
Moench (lentils) are used as food, for the preparation of starch, and in
medicine. (Under Ervum L.) Lens Gren. & Godr.
Style hairy all round or on the back only; in the latter case flowers large
or middle-sized. Seeds globose or slightly flattened.—Species 40.
North and East Africa; some species also naturalized in South Africa
and the Mascarene Islands. They yield fodder, edible fruits and seeds
(especially beans from V. Faba L.), and medicaments; some are used as
ornamental plants. “Vetch.” (Including Ervum L. and Faba
Tourn.) Vicia L.
213. Style-apex compressed laterally, with the margins bent upwards, hence
grooved above. Ovary subsessile. Ovules more than 2. Corolla
white or red; keel blunt. Uppermost stamens free at the base.
Leaves with 1-3 pairs of leaflets. (See 141.) Pisum L.
Style-apex compressed dorsally, with the margins straight or bent downwards.
(See 128.) Lathyrus L.
214. Stamens 9. Calyx-teeth very short. Corolla white or pink; standard
adhering to the staminal tube at its base; wings oblong, shorter than
the keel. Shrubs or undershrubs. Leaves ending in a bristle. Bracteoles
present.—Species 6. Tropical and South Africa. Several species
(especially A. praecatorius L.) yield fibres, poisonous ornamental seeds
(crab-eyes), and medicaments. Abrus L.
Stamens 10. 215
215. Connective of the stamens ending in a small point, a gland, or a tuft of
hairs. Keel gibbous or spurred on each side. Fruit transversely
chambered, opening by two valves. Herbs undershrubs or shrubs,
clothed with appressed hairs fixed at the middle. Bracteoles none.—Species
320. Tropical, South, and North-east Africa. Several species
yield a dye (indigo), or are used in medicine or as ornamental plants. Indigofera L.
Connective without an appendage. 216
216. Fruit indehiscent, not jointed. Calyx-teeth obscure or wanting. Standard
auricled at the base; petals of the keel free. Alternate filaments with
a scale at the base. Trees. Leaflets alternate.—Species 1. Madagascar. Xanthocercis Baill.
Fruit dehiscent or jointed. Herbs, undershrubs, or shrubs. 217
217. Fruit jointed, dehiscing on one side or indehiscent. Corolla yellow;
standard orbicular. Stamens usually all united. (See 209.) Aeschynomene L.
Fruit not jointed, dehiscing by two valves. 218
218. Fruit transversely septate. Bracteoles bristle-like, deciduous. Uppermost
stamen free. (See 196.). Sesbania Pers.
Fruit longitudinally septate or 1-celled. Wings adhering to the keel. 219
219. Fruit 1-celled, compressed. Petals with a short claw. Herbs. Leaves
ending in a bristle or a tendril. Bracteoles none. (See 212.). Vicia L.
Fruit 2-celled, rarely 1-celled but then turgid.—Species 70. North and
East Africa to Transvaal and the Cape Verde Islands. Several species
yield fodder, tragacanth-gum, manna-like exudations, or edible
seeds which are also used as a substitute for coffee. (Including Acanthyllis
Pomel, Erophaca Boiss., and Phaca L.) Astragalus L.
220. (205.) Leaves unifoliolate, simple, or wanting. 221
Leaves digitate or pinnate, with 3 or more leaflets 251
221. Leaves exstipulate or wanting 222
Leaves stipulate. 224
222. Branches leaf-like. Leaves usually wanting. Trees. Corolla red. Fruit
turgid, indehiscent.—Species 5. Madagascar. They yield timber.
(Including Neobaronia Bak.) Phylloxylon Baill.
Branches not leaf-like. Leaves present. Shrubs. Corolla yellow. Fruit
flat, dehiscing by two valves. Seeds with an outgrowth near the
hilum. 223
223. Flowers in heads surrounded by large imbricate bracts. Lowest calyx-lobe
very large, petaloid. Standard ovate or oblong; wings oblong.
(See 157.) Liparia L.
Flowers solitary or in racemes, umbels, or heads with small or medium-sized
bracts. Lowest calyx-lobe equalling or slightly exceeding the
others. Standard suborbicular; wings obovate. Bracteoles bristle-like.
(See 157.) Priestleya DC.
224. Stem herbaceous or woody at the base only. 225
Stem woody throughout. 241
225. Uppermost stamen united with the others at least in its lower half. 226
Uppermost stamen free from the others throughout or at the base. 229
226. Ovule 1. Ovary sessile. Style slender. Calyx-teeth long and pointed.
Petals shortly clawed. Fruit enclosed by the calyx, ovate, indehiscent.
Flowers 1-3 in the axils of the leaves.—Species 6. South Africa
(Cape Colony). Hallia Thunb.
Ovules 2 or more. Fruit dehiscing by two valves. 227
227. Style bearded. Ovary more or less distinctly stalked. Seeds with an
aril. Leaves reduced to the broadened or tendril-bearing petiole.
(See 128.) Lathyrus L.
Style glabrous. Leaves unifoliolate. 228
228. Style short and broad. Ovary sessile. Petals red, long-clawed. Fruit
compressed. Leaflets entire. Stipules awl-shaped. Flowers very
small, in axillary racemes.—Species 5. Central Africa to Transvaal. Microcharis Benth.
Style awl-shaped. Ovary more or less distinctly stalked. Calyx deeply
divided. Petals short-clawed. Leaflets toothed. Stipules adnate
to the leaf-stalk. Flowers 1-3 in the axils of the leaves. (See 129.) Ononis L.
229. Uppermost stamen united with the others in the middle, at least when
young, free at the base, later sometimes free throughout. 230
Uppermost stamen free from the base or nearly from the base. 234
230. Fruit jointed. 231
Fruit not jointed. 232
231. Upper calyx-lobes separate. Wings small; standard subsessile. Ovary
stalked. Ovules 1-3. Leaflets without stipels. Flowers in axillary,
few-flowered racemes, with small bracteoles.—Species 5. Nileland and
Island of Socotra. Taverniera DC.
Upper calyx-lobes more or less united. Wings oblong, adhering to the
keel. Ovules 2 or more. Leaflets usually with stipels.—Species 40.
Tropical and South Africa. Some are used as ornamental, medicinal,
or textile plants. (Meibomia Moehr.) Desmodium Desv.
232. Flowers very small, in pairs in the axils of the leaves, with minute bracteoles.
Fruit oblong, with a membranous pericarp, indehiscent.
Leaflets without stipels.—Species 2. South Africa to Angola. Sylitra E. Mey.
Flowers not very small, in usually terminal or leaf-opposed racemes.
Fruit with a more or less herbaceous pericarp, dehiscing by two valves. 233
233. Flowers with rather large bracteoles, violet. Ovary shortly stalked.
Stigma penicillate. Fruit 4-winged, septate. Stem twining. Leaflets
with stipels. Stipules spurred.—Species 4. Tropics. The roots and
the fruits are used as vegetables. (Botor Adans.) Psophocarpus Neck.
Flowers without bracteoles. Ovary sessile. Fruit flat. Leaflets without
stipels, usually with numerous parallel side-nerves.—Species 130.
Some of them yield dyes, poisons, and medicaments. (Cracca L.,
including Pogonostigma Boiss. and Requienia DC.) Tephrosia Pers.
234. Connective of the stamens ending in a small point, a gland, or a tuft of
hairs. Keel straight or slightly curved. Fruit with transverse partitions.
Plants clothed with appressed hairs fixed by the middle. 235
Connective without an appendage. Hairs rarely affixed by the middle. 236
235. Keel beaked. Anthers bearded at base and apex. Style boat-shaped
below. Ovules 4-6. Fruit short-stalked, turgid. (See 151.) Rhynchotropis Harms
Keel blunt or somewhat pointed, gibbous or spurred on each side. Style
thread-shaped. Fruit sessile or nearly so. (See 215.) Indigofera L.
236. Ovule 1. 237
Ovules 2 or more. 238
237. Leaflets with stipels. Flowers in racemes, with broad bracteoles. Calyx-lobes
narrow, subequal. Fruit dehiscing by two valves.—Species 2.
Madagascar. Leptodesmia Benth.
Leaflets without stipels. Leaves gland-dotted. Fruit indehiscent; pericarp
adnate to the seed. (See 153.) Psoralea L.
238. Ovules 2. Corolla usually yellow. 239
Ovules 3 or more. Corolla usually red. 240
239. Seeds oblong, without an outgrowth at the hilum; hilum linear, the
funicle affixed at its apex. Upper calyx-lobes separate or shortly united.
Standard oblong or obovate. Erect or decumbent, rarely twining
plants.—Species 55. Tropical and South Africa. The roots of one
species are used in making beer. Eriosema DC.
Seeds orbicular or reniform, with a more or less distinct outgrowth at the
hilum; hilum orbicular or oblong, the funicle affixed at or nearly in the
middle. Upper calyx-lobes more or less united. Standard orbicular or
obovate. Twining or decumbent, more rarely erect plants.—Species
100. Tropical and South Africa and Egypt. (Dolicholus Medik.) Rhynchosia Lour.
240. Calyx-lobes long, stiff, very unequal, the two upper ones united high up.
Style thread-shaped, glabrous. Fruit jointed, indehiscent. Leaves
unifoliolate, usually stipellate. Stipules membranous. Flowers small,
in racemes, with bracteoles.—Species 9. Tropical and South Africa.
(Fabricia Scop.). Alysicarpus Neck.
Calyx-lobes subequal. Style flattened, bearded towards the apex.
Fruit not jointed, dehiscing by two valves. Seeds with a small aril.
Leaves reduced to the broadened or tendril-bearing petiole. Stipules
leaf-like. Flowers without bracteoles. (See 128.) Lathyrus L.
241. (224.) Filaments all united into a tube split on one or on both sides.
Bracteoles present. 242
Filaments united into a tube, excepting one which is free, at least at the
base. 240
242. Ovary sessile. Ovules numerous. Standard suborbicular. Fruit jointed.
Seeds oblong. Shrubs, usually erect. Flowers in few-flowered
racemes.—Species 10. Tropics. (Diphaca Lour., including Arthrocarpum
Balf. f.) Ormocarpum Beauv.
Ovary stalked. Ovules 2-3. Anthers basifixed. Fruit not jointed,
indehiscent. Seeds reniform. Trees or climbing shrubs. Flowers in
cymes arranged in many-flowered raceme- or panicle-like inflorescences.—Species
65. Tropical and South-east Africa. Some species yield
timber (Senegal-ebony) and gum-resin. (Amerimnon P.Br., including
Ecastaphyllum Rich.) Dalbergia L. f.
243. Uppermost stamen united with the others in the middle, at least when
young. 244
Uppermost stamen free throughout. 245
244. Fruit jointed, indented at one or at both sutures. Leaflets usually
with stipels. (See 231.). Desmodium Desv.
Fruit not jointed, very thinly or not septate, opening by two valves.
Standard clawed, suborbicular. Ovary sessile. Stigma usually hairy.
Leaflets usually with numerous parallel side-nerves and without
stipels. Bracteoles none. (See 233.) Tephrosia Pers.
245. Connective of the stamens ending in a gland, a point, or a tuft of hairs.
Keel straight or slightly curved. Fruit transversely septate. Shrubs
with appressed hairs fixed by the middle. Bracteoles none. 246
Connective without an appendage. Hairs rarely fixed by the middle. 247
246. Fruit separating into joints. Petals red, clawed. Ovules numerous.
Leafstalk not jointed at the apex.—Species 1. Mascarene Islands. Bremontiera DC.
Fruit not jointed, dehiscing by two valves. Standard sessile or short-clawed;
keel gibbous or spurred on each side. (See 215.) Indigofera L.
247. Bracteoles present. Trees. Petals yellow, more rarely white marked
with violet; those of the keel free or slightly cohering. Ovules 2-4.
Fruit compressed, more or less winged, indehiscent.—Species 15.
Tropical and South Africa. Several species yield timber (rose-wood)
and a resin (kino) used for tanning and dyeing and for medicinal
purposes, also edible fruits and seeds. Pterocarpus L.
Bracteoles wanting. Shrubs. 248
248. Ovule 1. Petals blue, red, or white; standard short-clawed; keel
curved. Fruit ovate, indehiscent; pericarp adhering to the seed.
Gland-dotted plants. Stipules stem-clasping. (See 153.) Psoralea L.
Ovules 2 or more. 249
249. Ovules 3 or more. Petals red. Fruit subterete, constricted between
the seeds, indehiscent. Spinous shrubs. Racemes with the rachis
ending in a spine.—Species 1. Egypt and Nubia. The resinous
exudations (Persian manna) are used for food and in medicine. Alhagi Desv.
Ovules 2. Petals red or yellow; standard auricled at base. Fruit
dehiscing by two valves. 250
250. Fruit compressed. Seeds with a linear hilum. (See 239.) Eriosema DC.
Fruit turgid. Seeds with a short hilum.—Species 5. Tropical and
South-east Africa. Used for dyeing and in medicine. (Moghania
St. Hil.) Flemingia Roxb.
251. (220.) Leaflets 3. 252
Leaflets 4 or more. 330
252. Leaves digitate. 253
Leaves pinnate. 264
253. Uppermost stamen united with the others into a tube or sheath. Ovules
numerous. Bracteoles bristle-like. 254
Uppermost stamen free from the others, at least at the base. 257
254. Filaments united into a closed tube. Seeds with an outgrowth at the
hilum. Herbs or hairy shrubs. 255
Filaments united into a sheath split above. Seeds without an outgrowth
at the hilum. Glabrous undershrubs, shrubs, or trees. 256
255. Calyx-lobes unequal, the upper approaching in pairs. Standard spatulate;
wings obliquely ovate. Anthers slightly unequal. Fruit ovate-lanceolate,
dehiscing by two valves. Tall shrubs with brownish
hairs. Flowers in head-like spikes. (See 175.) Phaenohoffmannia O. Ktze.
Calyx-lobes subequal. Standard ovate or oblong; wings narrow; petals
of the keel scarcely cohering. Fruit linear or lanceolate, dehiscing
at the upper suture. Decumbent herbs. Flowers very small, solitary
or in short racemes.—Species 1. Central Africa. Rothia Pers.
256. Keel longer than the standard. Fruit ovate-lanceolate, few-seeded.
Undershrubs. (See 194.) Loddigesia Sims
Keel shorter than the standard. Fruit linear, many-seeded. Shrubs
or trees. (See 194.) Hypocalyptus Thunb.
257. Uppermost stamen united with the others in the middle, at least when
young. 258
Uppermost stamen free. Bracteoles absent. 260
258. Petals, at least the four lower ones, adnate below to the staminal tube.
Fruit not jointed, scarcely dehiscent. Herbs. Leaflets usually
toothed. Stipules adnate to the leafstalk. Flowers solitary or in
spikes, heads, or umbels. Bracteoles absent. (See 138.) Trifolium L.
Petals free from the staminal tube. Ovary sessile. Fruit flat. Leaflets
entire. 259
259. Flowers very small, solitary or in pairs in the axils of the leaves, with
small bracteoles. Petals yellowish. Fruit oblong; pericarp membranous.
Undershrubs. (See 232.) Sylitra E. Mey.
Flowers not very small, in racemes, without bracteoles. Petals usually
red. Fruit dehiscing by two valves; pericarp more or less herbaceous.
(See 233.) Tephrosia Pers.
260. Connective of the stamens ending in a gland, a tuft of hairs, or a small
point. Keel gibbous or spurred on each side. Fruit transversely
septate, dehiscing by two valves. Plants with appressed hairs fixed
by the middle. (See 215.) Indigofera L.
Connective without an appendage. 261
261. Ovule 1. Keel curved. Fruit ovate, indehiscent; pericarp adhering
to the seed. Gland-dotted plants. (See 153.) Psoralea L.
Ovules 2 or more. 262
262. Ovules 2. Petals free from the staminal tube; standard auricled at
base. Fruit turgid, 1-celled, 2-valved. Shrubs. (See 250.) Flemingia Roxb.
Ovules 3 or more, rarely 2, but then lower petals adnate to the staminal
tube. Wings exceeding the keel. Herbs. Stipules adnate to the
leafstalk. 263
263. Petals, at least the four lower ones, adnate to the staminal tube. Keel
blunt. Ovules 2-8. Fruit scarcely dehiscent. (See 138.) Trifolium L.
Petals free from the staminal tube, red. Keel somewhat pointed, curved.
Ovary sessile. Ovules numerous. Fruit dehiscing by two valves.
Flowers solitary. (See 153.) Parochetus Hamilt.
264. (252.) Leaflets with stipels. [Especially tribe PHASEOLEAE.] 265
Leaflets without stipels. 310
265. Stem herbaceous or woody at the base only. 266
Stem woody throughout. 303
266. Uppermost stamen united with the others from the base. Flowers
small, red, in racemes, with the rachis not thickened.—Species 20.
Tropical and South-east Africa; one species (G. hispida Maxim., soy-bean)
only cultivated. The latter yields edible oily seeds. Glycine L.
Uppermost stamen free or almost so, or united with the others in the
middle only. 267
267. Uppermost stamen, at least when young, free at the base, but united with
the others in the middle. 268
Uppermost stamen free from the base or nearly so. 272
268. Flowers in racemes, the rachis of which is thickened at the insertion of the
pedicels. Bracteoles present. Wings usually free from the keel.
Fruit not jointed, opening in two valves. 269
Flowers in racemes with the rachis not thickened, or in fascicles, or
solitary. Wings adhering to the keel. Fruit compressed. 271
269. Fruit 4-angled or 4-winged. Seeds oblong. Stigma villous. Corolla
violet. Bracteoles rather large, falling off tardily. Stipules spurred.
(See 233.) Psophocarpus Neck.
Fruit 2-3-angled or 2-winged. Stigma small. Bracteoles small, falling
off early. Stipules small. 270
270. Calyx-lobes very unequal, the upper much larger than the lower. Seeds
ovate or orbicular.—Species 5. Tropical and South Africa. The
seeds of several species are eaten and used for dyeing and in medicine. Canavalia Adans.
Calyx-lobes not very unequal, the upper united higher up, but not considerably
larger than the lower. Seeds oblong.—Species 1. East
Africa. Pueraria DC.
271. Fruit more or less distinctly jointed. Bracteoles usually present. (See
231.) Desmodium Desv.
Fruit not jointed, opening by two valves. Stigma usually penicillate.
Flowers in terminal or leaf-opposed racemes. Bracteoles wanting.
(See 233.) Tephrosia Pers.
272. Style hairy above. 273
Style glabrous or hairy at the base only, sometimes with a hairy stigma. 287
273. Flowers solitary or in fascicles or racemes with the rachis not thickened
at the insertion of the pedicels. Keel curved. Ovules numerous.
Fruit linear. 274
Flowers in racemes, the rachis of which is thickened at the insertion of
the pedicels. 277
274. Calyx tubular; upper lobes united high up. Corolla white, blue, or violet;
wings oblong, adhering to the much shorter and pointed keel. Ovary
stalked. Style broadened above, bearded lengthwise.—Species 5.
Tropics. Used as medicinal, dyeing, and ornamental plants. Clitoria L.
Calyx campanulate. Wings obovate. Ovary almost sessile. 275
275. Upper calyx-teeth united to the middle. Corolla red or violet; standard
equalling the wings, spurred or gibbous on the back; keel not beaked.
Style-apex broadened, hairy round the stigma. Fruit flat. Seeds
without an outgrowth at the hilum. Climbing herbs.—Species 1.
Naturalized in West Africa. Used as a medicinal and ornamental
plant. (Bradburya Rafin., under Clitoria L.) Centrosema DC.
Upper calyx-teeth united wholly or for the greatest part. Standard
not spurred at the back, but auricled at the base. Style-apex slightly
or not thickened. Fruit more or less inflated. Seeds with an outgrowth
near the hilum. 276
276. Style with a crown of hairs beneath the large ovoid stigma. Wings
longer than the keel, but shorter than the standard. Stipules long-spurred.—Species
1. Southern West Africa (Congo). Vignopsis De Wild.
Style bearded on the inner face towards the top, or penicillate round the
small terminal stigma. Wings adhering to the keel.—Species 60.
Tropical and South Africa. Some species yield fodder and edible
fruits or seeds, or serve as ornamental plants. Dolichos L.
277. Keel spirally twisted. Ovary surrounded by a cupular disc. Stigma
lateral or oblique. 278
Keel more or less curved inwards, but not spiral. 279
278. Keel with a long spur; wings free. Ovary stalked. Ovules 2-3.
Style with a pointed dorsal appendage at the apex. Flowers violet
or whitish, without bracteoles.—Species 3. Central Africa. One
species (Ph. venenosum Balf., Calabar bean) has poisonous seeds used
in ordeals and medicinally. Physostigma Balf.
Keel without a spur, but sometimes with two gibbosities; wings adhering
to the keel. Ovary almost sessile. Ovules numerous. Style without a
dorsal appendage at the apex.—Species 20. Tropical and South-east
Africa; one species (Ph. vulgaris L.) cultivated also in extra-tropical
regions. The fruits and seeds of some species (beans) are eaten
and used for preparing starch and medicaments, those of others are
poisonous. Several species are used as ornamental or fodder-plants. Phaseolus L.
279. Stigma lateral, situated beneath the apex of the style. 280
Stigma terminal, but sometimes oblique. 283
280. Style-apex bent down towards the stigma. Stigma globose, blunt or
notched. Wings oblong, equalling the blunt keel. Fruit flat. Leaflets
usually toothed.—Species 2. Cultivated in the tropics. They
yield fibre used for rope-making, and edible roots and seeds, from
which also starch and medicaments are prepared. (Cacara Thouars). Pachyrrhizus Rich.
Style-apex bent back. Fruit turgid. 281
281. Fruit subglobular, 1-2-seeded, ripening under ground. Ovules 2-3.
Stigma 2-lobed. Corolla yellow; keel blunt. Creeping herbs. Racemes
1-3-flowered.—Species 1 (V. subterranea Thouars). Cultivated
in Tropical and South Africa. Yields edible fruits and oily
seeds. Voandzeia Thouars
Fruit linear, several- or many-seeded, ripening above ground. Ovules
several or many. 282
282. Calyx deeply 4-cleft, with acuminate segments. Keel pointed; wings
auricled. Undershrubs with erect or ascending branches.—Species 1.
South Africa. (Under Vigna Savi). Otoptera DC.
Calyx 4-5-toothed or 5-cleft. Keel blunt or beaked.—Species 65.
Tropical and South Africa and Egypt. Some species yield fibre used
for rope-making, and edible fruits or seeds. (Including Liebrechtsia
De Wild.) Vigna Savi
283. Stigma very oblique. Style-apex wedge-shaped, hairy. Calyx-teeth
very short and broad. Keel blunt. Fruit linear.—Species 5. Central
and South-east Africa. (Under Vigna Savi). Sphenostylis E. Mey.
Stigma slightly oblique or straight. 284
284. Upper lip of the calyx entire. Style bearded lengthwise. Fruit oblong,
2-4-seeded. 285
Upper lip of the calyx notched. 286
285. Keel almost straight, blunt. Standard oblong, straight, folded over
the other petals. Corolla yellow-green. Style flat at base, hairy above.—Species
1. South Africa. (Under Dolichos L.) Chloryllis E. Mey.
Keel sharply bent upwards, pointed. Standard orbicular, bent back,
expanded. Corolla white or red. Style flat and bearded above.—Species
1 (L. vulgaris Savi). Tropical and South-east Africa; also
cultivated in Egypt. It yields edible fruits and seeds, fodder, and
medicaments, and serves also as an ornamental plant. (Under Dolichos
L.) Lablab Savi
286. Ovules 2. Style flattened and hairy above. Keel pointed. Upper
calyx-teeth united to about the middle. Glandular plants.—Species
10. Central Africa. (Under Dolichos L.) Adenodolichos Harms
Ovules 3 or more. Style thread-shaped. Keel shortly beaked. Glandless
plants. (See 276.) Dolichos L.
287. (272.) Ovules 1-2. 288
Ovules 3 or more. 295
288. Connective of the stamens produced into a gland, a tuft of hairs, or a
short point. Calyx-teeth subequal. Corolla usually red; keel
gibbous or spurred on each side. Fruit more or less turgid, with
transverse partitions. Plants clothed with appressed hairs fixed by
the middle. Bracteoles none. (See 215.) Indigofera L.
Connective without an appendage. Fruit more or less compressed. 289
289. Ovule 1. Calyx-teeth about equal, bristle-like. Keel obtuse. Fruit enclosed
by the calyx. Bracts broad. (See 237.) Leptodesmia Benth.
Ovules 2, rarely ovule 1, but then calyx-teeth unequal (the upper ones
more or less united). 290
290. Bracteoles present. 291
Bracteoles absent. Corolla usually yellow; standard auricled at the
base. 293
291. Style hairy at the base, bent almost at a right angle above the middle.
Ovary surrounded at the base by a cupular disc. Calyx-teeth and
bracteoles ending in a club-shaped gland. Corolla spotted with
violet. Fruit 1-celled. Leaflets toothed.—Species 5. Central
Africa. (Under Rhynchosia Lour.) Eminia Taub.
Style glabrous, slightly curved. Fruit transversely chambered. 292
292. Corolla yellowish; keel as long as the wings; standard not auricled.
Flowers two or several together in the axils of the leaves, subsessile.
Fruit ripening under ground.—Species 1. West Africa. Cultivated
for its edible seeds. Kerstingiella Harms
Corolla red; keel shorter than the wings; standard slightly auricled.
Flowers in axillary racemes or false-racemes. Fruit ripening above
ground. (See 266.) Glycine L.
293. Calyx-lobes very unequal. Standard oblong or ovate; wings shorter
than the keel, auricled at the base. Style downy below.—Species 4.
Tropics. Cylista Ait.
Calyx-lobes about equal, but the two upper ones sometimes more or less
united. 294
294. Seeds oblong, without an outgrowth at the hilum; hilum linear, the
funicle affixed at its apex. Upper calyx-teeth free or shortly united.
Standard oblong or obovate. Erect or decumbent, rarely twining
plants. (See 239.) Eriosema DC.
Seeds orbicular or reniform, with a more or less distinct outgrowth at the
hilum; hilum orbicular or oblong, the funicle affixed in the middle.
Upper calyx-teeth more or less united. Standard orbicular or obovate.
Twining or decumbent, more rarely erect plants. (See 239.) Rhynchosia Lour.
295. (287.) Calyx entire or obscurely toothed, gibbous at the base. Corolla
yellow or red. Ovary surrounded at the base by a tubular disc.
Style broadened in the middle. Fruit flattened, 2-valved. Twining
herbs. Bracteoles present.—Species 1. South and East Africa and
Madagascar. Dumasia DC.
Calyx distinctly toothed. 296
296. Upper sepals wholly united; hence calyx 4-toothed or 4-cleft. Twining
herbs. 297
Upper sepals more or less separate; calyx 5-toothed or 5-cleft. 298
297. Calyx-lobes short. Corolla red; keel shorter than the wings. Rachis
of the inflorescence not thickened at the insertion of the pedicels.
Bracts striate.—Species 1. Mountains of Central Africa. Shuteria Wight & Arn.
Calyx-lobes long. Corolla yellow; keel as long as or longer than the
wings. Rachis of the inflorescence thickened at the insertion of the
pedicels. Bracts bristle-like.—Species 2. East Africa to Natal
and Mascarene Islands. Galactia P. Browne
298. Wings free from the keel. Flowers small, red. Leaflets large. 299
Wings adhering to the keel. 300
299. Fruit septate between the seeds, oblong. Seeds globose. Ovules 3-5.
Style thickened below. Standard auricled at the base.—Species 1.
German South-west Africa. Neorautanenia Schinz
Fruit not septate between the seeds, flat, with transversely veined valves.
Seeds reniform. Style awl-shaped. Upper calyx-lobes united high up.
Hairy plants.—Species 5. Central and South-east Africa (Anarthrosyne
E. Mey.) Pseudarthria Wight & Arn.
300. Bracteoles wanting. Keel gibbous or spurred on each side. Connective
ending in a gland, a point, or a tuft of hairs. Plants with appressed
hairs fixed by the middle. (See 215.) Indigofera L.
Bracteoles present. 301
301. Standard spurred or gibbous at the apex of the claw. Style broadened
above. Fruit flat. Seeds oblong. Stem twining. Flowers large.
Bracteoles larger than the bracts. (See 275.) Centrosema DC.
Standard neither spurred nor gibbous. Flowers small or medium-sized. 302
302. Fruit jointed, flat, usually indehiscent. (See 231.) Desmodium Desv.
Fruit not jointed, but septate between the seeds, dehiscing by two valves.
Corolla red; standard auricled at the base; wings exceeding the keel.
Bracts bristle-like. (See 266.) Glycine L.
303. (265.) Uppermost stamen united with the others in the middle. Calyx-lobes
blunt and very short. Fruit not jointed, indehiscent.—Species
30. Tropics. Some species yield timber, dyes, fish-poison, and
medicaments. Lonchocarpus H. B. & K.
Uppermost stamen free from the base or nearly so, rarely (Desmodium)
united with the others in the middle, but then calyx-lobes pointed.
Fruit jointed or dehiscent. 304
304. Connective of the stamens produced in a gland, a point, or a tuft of hairs.
Calyx-teeth subequal. Keel gibbous or spurred on each side. Ovary
sessile or nearly so. Fruit transversely septate. Shrubs with appressed
hairs fixed by the middle. Bracteoles none. (See 215.) Indigofera L.
Connective without an appendage. 305
305. Standard with two auricles at the base. 306
Standard without an appendage at the base. 308
306. Calyx-teeth blunt, nearly equal. Corolla usually red; keel beaked.
Bracteoles deciduous.—Species 6. Madagascar and Mascarenes. Strongylodon Vog.
Calyx-teeth pointed, unequal, the upper united high up. Corolla yellow;
keel blunt. Bracteoles none. 307
307. Standard oblong or ovate; keel longer than the wings. Ovary and
base of the style hairy. Style thread-shaped. Ovules 2.—Species 1.
Madagascar. Baukea Vatke
Standard orbicular; keel somewhat shorter than the wings. Ovary and
base of style glabrous or downy. Style thickened in the middle and
at the apex. Ovules numerous.—Species 1 (C. indicus Spreng.,
pigeon-pea). Tropics, also cultivated. Yields edible, pea-like fruits
and seeds, medicaments, fodder, food for silkworms, and manure. Cajanus DC.
308. Style bearded above. Upper calyx-teeth almost entirely united. Wings
adhering to the shorter and pointed keel. Fruit not jointed. Bracteoles
persistent. (See 274.) Clitoria L.
Style glabrous. 309
309. Fruit separating into joints, when ripe. Flowers usually small. Wings
adhering to the keel. (See 231.) Desmodium Desv.
Fruit not jointed. Flowers large. Wings much shorter than the standard,
sometimes wanting. Ovary stalked.—Species 20. Tropical and
South Africa. Several species yield wood, vegetables, and medicaments,
or serve as ornamental plants. Erythrina L.
310. (264.) Uppermost stamen united with the others from the base. 311
Uppermost stamen free from the others, at least at the base. 314
311. Ovule 1. Fruit ovate, not jointed, indehiscent. Gland-dotted plants.
Bracteoles absent. (See 153.) Psoralea L.
Ovules 2 or more. Fruit linear or oblong, dehiscent or separating into
joints. 312
312. Staminal tube split. Ovary sessile. Fruit breaking up into several
joints. Shrubs. Bracteoles persistent. (See 242.) Ormocarpum Beauv.
Staminal tube closed. Fruit not jointed, opening by two valves. Herbs
or undershrubs. Bracteoles absent. 313
313. Connective of the stamens ending in a small point. Ovary sessile. Corolla
red; keel blunt. Fruit slightly 4-angled, transversely septate.
Stipules bristle-like. Flowers small, in racemes, without bracteoles.—Species
2. Central Africa. Cyamopsis DC.
Connective without an appendage. Ovary stalked. Calyx deeply
divided. Standard suborbicular. Leaflets minutely toothed. Stipules
adnate to the leaf-stalk. (See 129.) Ononis L.
314. Bracteoles present. Calyx-teeth subequal. Wings short. Ovary
stalked. Ovules few. 315
Bracteoles absent. 316
315. Keel beaked. Standard clawed, auricled. Uppermost stamen free.
Fruit opening by two valves. Seeds subglobular. Twining shrubs.
Rachis of the raceme thickened at the insertion of the pedicels. (See
306.) Strongylodon Vog.
Keel not beaked. Standard scarcely clawed. Uppermost stamen at
first united with the others in the middle. Fruit breaking up into
several joints. Seeds reniform. Erect undershrubs. (See 231.) Taverniera DC.
316. Petals, at least the lower ones, adnate to the staminal tube. Herbs.
Leaflets usually toothed. Flowers solitary or in spikes, heads, or
umbels. (See 138.) Trifolium L.
Petals free from the staminal tube. 317
317. Connective of the stamens produced into a gland, a point, or a tuft of
hairs. Keel straight or slightly curved inwards, gibbous or spurred on
each side. Fruit transversely septate. Plants with appressed hairs
fixed by the middle. (See 215.) Indigofera L.
Connective without an appendage. 318
318. Ovule 1. Corolla red, blue, or white; standard clawed. Fruit ovate,
indehiscent; pericarp adhering to the seed. Gland-dotted plants.
Stipules stem-clasping, not adnate. Bracts membranous. (See 153.) Psoralea L.
Ovules 2 or more, rarely ovule 1, but then fruit more or less curved or
coiled, corolla usually yellow, standard almost sessile, and stipules
adnate to the leafstalk. 319
319. Uppermost stamen, at least when young, united with the others in the
middle. Corolla red or white; standard suborbicular, clawed; wings
adhering to the keel. Stigma usually hairy. Fruit dehiscing by two
valves. Leaflets entire, usually with numerous parallel side-nerves.
Flowers in terminal or leaf-opposed racemes, more rarely in axillary
racemes or clusters. Bracts distinctly developed. (See 233.) Tephrosia Pers.
Uppermost stamen free from the base, rarely united with the others
in the middle, but then standard oblong or ovate, sessile or nearly so,
corolla usually yellow, fruit not or tardily dehiscent, leaflets usually
toothed, stipules adnate to the leafstalk, inflorescence axillary, and
bracts minute or wanting. 320
320. Ovules 1-2. 321
Ovules more than 2. 325
321. Calyx-lobes very unequal, the upper two almost wholly united, the
side ones small, the lowest the longest, enlarged after flowering, scarious.
Corolla reddish-yellow; standard auricled at base. Fruit
falcate-ovate, enclosed by the calyx, 1-seeded, 2-valved. Twining
undershrubs. (See 293.) Cylista Ait.
Calyx-lobes about equal, but the upper ones sometimes more or less united,
not or scarcely enlarged after flowering. 322
322. Fruit dehiscing by two valves, more or less flattened, straight or nearly
so. Upper calyx-teeth usually more or less united. Standard auricled
at base. Leaflets usually entire. 323
Fruit not or very tardily dehiscing, turgid or curved to spiral, exceeding
the calyx. Upper calyx-teeth scarcely or not united. Leaflets usually
toothed. Stipules adnate to the leafstalk. 324
323. Seeds orbicular or reniform, with a more or less distinct outgrowth at
the hilum; hilum orbicular or oblong, the funicle attached in the
middle or nearly so. Standard orbicular or obovate. Twining or
decumbent, rarely erect plants. (See 239.) Rhynchosia Lour.
Seeds oblong, without an outgrowth at the hilum; hilum linear, the
funicle attached at its apex. Upper calyx-teeth not or shortly united.
Standard oblong or obovate. Erect or decumbent, rarely twining
plants. (See 239.) Eriosema DC.
324. Fruit straight, globular or ovoid, thick, wrinkled. Flowers in slender,
more or less spike-like racemes, yellow, rarely white. Herbs.—Species
10. North Africa and Abyssinia; several species also naturalized
in South Africa. Used as fodder or in medicine. Melilotus Juss.
Fruit more or less curved (sickle- or kidney-shaped) or spirally coiled,
usually flattened. Flowers in short racemes or in heads.—Species
35. North Africa to Abyssinia and South Africa; several species
also naturalized in the Mascarene Islands. Some of them (especially
M. sativa L., lucern) are used as fodder, or medicinal plants, and for
making paper and brush-wares, others are noxious as burs. Medicago L.
325. Upper calyx-lobes more or less, sometimes entirely united. Corolla
yellow. Standard suborbicular, auricled at base. Fruit linear or
oblong, constricted between the seeds, dehiscing by two valves. Leaflets
entire, gland-dotted. 326
Upper calyx-lobes not or scarcely united. Standard oblong or obovate.
Fruit dehiscing at the upper suture or indehiscent, rarely tardily
dehiscing by two valves. Leaflets usually toothed. Stipules adnate
to the leafstalk. 328
326. Upper calyx-lobes shortly united. Keel exceeding the wings. Fruit
oblong, curved, turgid, 1-celled. Seeds with an outgrowth at the
hilum. Viscid, twining herbs or undershrubs.—Species 1. South
Africa and Madagascar. Fagelia Neck.
Upper calyx-lobes united for the greater part or entirely. Fruit compressed
and transversely septate. 327
327. Fruit oblong, blunt or shortly pointed. Seeds with an outgrowth at the
hilum. Herbs or undershrubs. Stipules persistent. Flowers in
fascicles or short racemes.—Species 2. Madagascar and Mascarenes.
(Under Atylosia Wight & Arn.) Cantharospermum Wight & Arn.
Fruit linear, ending in a long point. Seeds without an outgrowth at the
hilum. Style broadened in the middle and towards the apex. Erect
shrubs or undershrubs. Stipules deciduous, awl-shaped. Flowers in
racemes. (See 307.) Cajanus DC.
328. Flowers in long, more or less spike-like racemes. Ovules few. Fruit
oblong to globose, thick, straight, indehiscent, 1-3-seeded. Herbs.
(See 324.) Melilotus Juss.
Flowers solitary or in short racemes, heads, or umbels. 329
329. Fruit linear or oblong, straight or slightly curved. Herbs.—Species 25.
North Africa, Nile-land, and South Africa. T. foenumgraecum L. is
cultivated for its seeds, which are used as food, fodder, vermin-poison,
in medicine, and in the manufacture of cloth; it is also used as a
vegetable. Trigonella L.
Fruit spirally twisted, more rarely sickle- or kidney-shaped. (See 324.) Medicago L.
330. (251.) Stem herbaceous or woody at the base only. 331
Stem woody throughout. 347
331. Uppermost stamen united with the others from the base, at least when
young. 332
Uppermost stamen free from the others, at least at the base. 336
332. Filaments united into a closed tube, at least when young. Corolla red,
blue, or white. Fruit dehiscing by two valves. 333
Filaments united into a sheath split on one or both sides. Corolla yellow,
sometimes veined with red. Fruit breaking up into joints, more
rarely indehiscent. 335
333. Stem twining. Leaflets 5-7, stipellate. Bracteoles present. Uppermost
stamen finally separating from the others. (See 266.) Glycine L.
Stem erect or decumbent. Leaflets not stipellate. Bracteoles absent.
Uppermost stamen remaining united with the others. 334
334. Leaflets 5-7. Stipules bristle-like. Corolla red; standard sessile;
wings free. Connective ending in a short point. Fruit septate.
(See 313.) Cyamopsis DC.
Leaflets numerous. Stipules semi-sagittate. Corolla blue or white;
standard short-clawed; wings adhering to the keel. Connective
without an appendage. Fruit 1-celled. (See 204.) Galega L.
335. Fruit enclosed by the enlarged calyx, folded, with 2 or more flat joints.
Calyx 2-lipped. (See 208.) Smithia Ait.
Fruit much exceeding the calyx. Ovary stalked. (See 209.) Aeschynomene L.
336. Uppermost stamen united with the others in the middle, at least when
young. 337
Uppermost stamen free throughout. 339
337. Standard clawed. Wings adhering to the keel. Ovules several or
many, very rarely only 2. Stigma usually penicillate. Fruit linear,
rarely oblong or ovate, dehiscing by two valves. Leaflets usually
with many parallel side-nerves. Flowers white or red, in terminal or
leaf-opposed racemes, rarely in axillary fascicles or racemes; in this
case ovules numerous. Bracteoles absent. (See 233.) Tephrosia Pers.
Standard nearly sessile. Wings short. Ovules 1-3. Fruit oblong to
orbicular, indehiscent, very rarely dehiscing by two valves. Flowers
in axillary spikes or racemes. 338
338. Calyx-lobes much longer than the tube, feathery. Corolla red; keel
adhering to the staminal tube. Fruit enclosed by the calyx, oblong
or ovate. Unarmed, hairy plants. Stipules connate.—Species 2.
North Africa. Ebenus L.
Calyx-lobes as long as or shorter than the tube. Fruit projecting beyond
the calyx, hemispherical or spirally twisted.—Species 10. North
Africa and Abyssinia. Sainfoin (O. sativa Lam.) is cultivated in
various regions for fodder, sometimes also as a medicinal or ornamental
plant. Onobrychis Gaertn.
339. Style bearded lengthwise towards the top. Fruit 2-valved. 340
Style glabrous above or penicillate round the stigma. 343
340. Style thread-shaped, bearded on the outside or all round. Calyx-teeth
subequal. Petals red or white, clawed; standard exceeding the
wings and the keel. Seeds kidney-shaped, with a filiform funicle.
Flowers in racemes.—Species 40. South Africa to Angola. Some are
used medicinally. (Coluteastrum Heist.) Lessertia DC.
Style flattened, bearded on the inner side. 341
341. Calyx-teeth unequal, the two upper ones united high up. Corolla blue
or white. Seeds without an outgrowth at the hilum. Leaflets usually
stipellate. Bracteoles persistent. (See 274.) Clitoria L.
Calyx-teeth about equal. Seeds with a small aril covering the hilum.
Leaflets not stipellate. Bracteoles rudimentary or wanting. 342
342. Staminal tube obliquely truncate. Keel somewhat pointed. Ovary
almost sessile. Ovules 2. Aril ovate or oblong. Flowers small,
bluish-white. (See 212.) Lens Gren. & Godr.
Staminal tube evenly truncate. Keel shorter than the wings, usually
blunt. Ovules 3 or more. Aril usually linear. (See 128.) Lathyrus L.
343. Connective of the stamens bearing a gland, a point, or a tuft of hairs.
Fruit transversely septate, 2-valved. Plants with appressed hairs
fixed by the middle. (See 215.) Indigofera L.
Connective without an appendage. Hairs rarely fixed by the middle. 344
344. Leaflets stipellate, 5-7. Flowers in terminal racemes, without bracteoles.
Fruit jointed, enclosed by the calyx; joints ovate, slightly flattened.—Species
1. Central Africa. Used as an ornamental and medicinal
plant. Uraria Desv.
Leaflets not stipellate. Fruit jointed, with orbicular or quadrate flattened
joints, or not jointed. 345
345. Fruit breaking up into joints, flat. Wings clawed, auricled, shorter than
the scarcely clawed standard. Flowers in axillary racemes, with
bristle-like bracteoles.—Species 12. North Africa. Some are used as
fodder- or ornamental plants. Hedysarum L.
Fruit not jointed, usually septate lengthwise. 316
346. Fruit sessile, linear, flat, longitudinally 2-celled, indehiscent, the valves
boat-shaped with a wavy and toothed keel. Hairy herbs. Leaflets
emarginate. Stipules adnate to the leafstalk. Flowers in axillary
spikes or fascicles, bluish or whitish.—Species 1. North Africa and
Abyssinia. Biserrula L.
Fruit not flat and with wavy and toothed valves, tardily dehiscent.
(See 219.) Astragalus L.
347. (330.) Uppermost stamen united with the others from the base into a
tube usually split in one or two places, rarely (Dalbergia) wanting. 348
Uppermost stamen free from the others, at least at the base. 354
348. Fruit breaking up into two or more joints, very rarely reduced to a single
ovate, not winged joint. Calyx usually two-lipped. Corolla yellow or
white, sometimes with red stripes or veins. Standard suborbicular.
Erect shrubs. 349
Fruit not jointed, indehiscent, more or less distinctly winged, rarely
not winged but curved. Ovules few. Trees or climbing, very rarely
erect shrubs. 351
349. Fruit enclosed by the enlarged calyx, folded, jointed. Seeds 2 or more,
reniform or orbicular, flat. Calyx two-lipped. Racemes short.
Bracteoles persistent. (See 208.) Smithia Ait.
Fruit much exceeding the calyx. 350
350. Joints of the fruit 2 or more, oblong, usually striate. Ovary sessile,
with several or many ovules. Racemes few-flowered. Bracteoles
persistent. (See 242.) Ormocarpum Beauv.
Joints of the fruit quadrate to semiorbicular, not striate. Ovary usually
stalked. (See 209.) Aeschynomene L.
351. Staminal tube closed all round. Calyx subtruncate, very shortly or
obscurely toothed. Wings adhering to the keel. Leaflets opposite—Species
15. Tropics. Some are poisonous. (Deguelia Aubl.,
including Leptoderris Dunn) Derris Lour.
Staminal tube split in one or two places. Leaflets usually alternate. 352
352. Anthers attached by the base, with erect cells opening by a short apical
slit, or with divergent cells opening lengthwise. Calyx-lobes unequal.