Dichrostachys

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Dichrostachys

Description

Shrubs or small trees with short-shoots terminated by spines or composed of many persistent fused stipules and (sometimes) bracts. Leaves bipinnate, rachis and pinnae with extrafloral nectaries; Inflorescences of axillary spikes solitary or clustered. Flowers pentamerous; Petals ± united below. Stamens 10, free, all fertile in bisexual flowers; Ovary solitary. Seeds ovoid to e lipsoid, ± compressed, deep-brown, glossy, with pleurogram, wingless, aril and endosperm absent;

Distribution

Africa present, Asia present, Asia-Tropical: India present; Jawa (Jawa present); Lesser Sunda Is. present, Burma present, Madagascar present, N Australia present
About 12 species, in Africa and Madagascar (numerous), one species with three subspecies extending its range to Asia: India, Burma, Malesia (Java, Lesser Sunda Islands), to N Australia.

Taxonomy

Lewis & Elias [in ] reassessed the limits of this genus towards the closely related genera Gagnebina, Desmanthus, and Neptunia.

Citation

Brenan & Brummitt 1965 – In: Bol. Soc. Brot.: 61
Benth. 1842 – In: J. Bot.: 353
Hutch. 1964 – In: Gen. Fl. Pl.: 291
W. & A. 1875 – In: Trans. Linn. Soc.: 382
Brenan 1959: Fl. Trop. E. Afr., Leg.-Mim.: 36
W. & A. 1970 – In: Fl. Zamb.: 37