Dichrostachys
Content
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.