Fabaceae: Caesalpinoideae Taubert in Engler & Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 3(3): 125. 1894. [DRAFT (part)]

Chen Dezhao (Chen Te-chao)[1]; Kai Larsen[2], Supee S. Larsen[3], Ding Hou[4], Michael A. Vincent[5]

3. ACROCARPUS Wight ex Arnott, Mag. Zool. Bot. 2: 547. 1838.

ding guo shu shu

Chen Dezhao (Chen Te-chao); Ding Hou

Trees large, unarmed. Leaves alternate, abruptly bipinnate; pinnae opposite; leaflets opposite, petiolulate. Inflorescences racemes, solitary in axils of leaves, or 2 or 3 at apices of short branches. Bracts and bracteoles caducous, small. Flowers hermaphroditic. Receptacle campanulate. Sepals 5, subequal, imbricate. Petals 5, equal in size, ca. 2 Χ as long as sepals. Stamens 5; filaments straight and much more exserted from corolla; anthers dorsifixed, opening by lateral slits. Ovary stipitate; ovules numerous; style incurved, short; stigma terminal, small. Pods long stipitate, compressed, strap-shaped, narrowly winged along ventral suture. Seeds numerous, flat, obovoid, with endosperm.

About two species distributed in S Asia, SE Asia; one species in China.

1. Acrocarpus fraxinifolius Wight ex Arnott, Mag. Zool. Bot. 2: 547. 1838.

ding guo shu

Acrocarpus fraxinifolius var. guangxiensis S. L. Mo & Y. Wei.

Trees large, to 30 m tall before it forks. Leaves 30–40 cm, lower leaves with 3–8 pairs of pinnae, leaves at apices of branches pinnate; rachis of leaves and of pinnae yellowish brown puberulous, glabrescent; leaflets 4–8 pairs, ovate or ovate-oblong, 7–13 Χ 4–7 cm, subleathery, lateral veins 8–12 pairs, base slightly oblique, broadly cuneate or rounded, margin entire, apex acuminate or acute. Racemes axillary, 20–25 cm, densely flowered; rachis pubescent at apex. Flowers erect at first, drooping later, scarlet, large. Pedicels 6–8 mm, pubescent. Petals lanceolate, ca. 2 Χ as long as and alternate with sepals, as are the receptacles and sepals yellowish brown puberulous. Stamens alternate with petals; filaments long, ca. 2 Χ as long as and much more exserted from corolla. Ovary long stipitate, compressed. Pods purplish brown, flat, 8–15 Χ 1–2 cm, narrowly winged along ventral suture; wing 3–5 mm wide. Seeds 14–18, light brown. 2n = 24*.

In sparse forests; 1000–1200 m. Guangxi, Yunnan [Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand; tropical Africa (introduced in Tanzania and Uganda)].

4. PELTOPHORUM (Vogel) Bentham, Hooker’s J. Bot. 2: 75. 1840, nom. cons.

dun zhu mu shu

Chen Dezhao (Chen Te-chao); Ding Hou

Caesalpinia sect. Peltophorum Vogel, Linnaea 11: 406. 1837.

Trees deciduous, unarmed. Leaves abruptly bipinnate; pinnae opposite; leaflets numerous, sessile. Inflorescences panicles or racemes, axillary or terminal; bracts caducous or persistent, small; bracteoles absent. Flowers hermaphroditic, yellow; receptacle short. Sepals 5, subequal. Petals 5, as are the sepals imbricate. Stamens 10, free; filaments slightly exserted, with a pilose tuft at bases; anthers oblong, dorsifixed. Ovary sessile, free from receptacle, 2- or more ovuled; style filiform, long, or discoid; stigma broadly peltate, capitate, or discoid, large. Pods compressed, lanceolate-oblong, rarely elongated, indehiscent, veined at middle, with broad wing on each suture. Seeds 2–8, compressed, without endosperm.

About 12 species distributed in tropical regions; two species (one introduced, one endemic) in China.

1a.    Pedicels nearly as long as flower buds; stipules entire; flowers in panicles; stigma 3-lobed; pods veined on whole valve when mature .......................................................................  1. P. pterocarpum

1b.    Pedicels ca. 2 Χ as long as flower buds; stipules lobed; flowers in racemes; stigma entire; pods not veined at middle of valve when mature ......................................................................  2. P. tonkinense

 

1. Peltophorum pterocarpum (de Candolle) Baker ex K. Heyne, Nutt. Pl. Ned. Ind. ed. 2, 2: 755. 1927.

dun zhu mu

Inga pterocarpa de Candolle, Prodr. 2: 441. 1825; Caesalpinia inermis Roxburgh; Peltophorum ferrugineum (Decaisne) Bentham; P. inerme (Roxburgh) Naves ex Fern.-Vill.; P. roxburghii (G. Don) O. Degener; Poinciana roxburghii G. Don.

Trees 4–15 m tall. Young shoots, petioles, and inflorescence ferruginous hairy; old branches with yellowish, small lenticels. Leaves 30–42 cm; petioles robust; rachis 25–35 cm; pinnae 7–15 pairs, opposite, 8–12 cm; leaflets (7–)10–21 pairs, crowded together, blades oblong-obovate, 1.2–1.7 cm Χ 5–7 mm, leathery, abaxially pale green, adaxially deep green, base oblique, margin entire, apex rounded, mucronate. Panicles terminal or axillary, densely ferruginous puberulous; bracts caducous, 5–8 mm. Pedicels ca. 5 mm, ca. as long as flower buds, 5–7 mm from one another. Flower buds globose, 5–8 mm in diam. Sepals ovate, 5–8 Χ 4–7 mm, outside ferruginous tomentose. Petals obovate, 1.5–1.7 cm Χ 8–10 mm, densely ferruginous pubescent at middle of both surfaces, long clawed. Filaments ca. 1.2 cm, hirsute at base; anthers ca. 3 mm, sagittate at base. Ovary stipitate, hairy, 3- or 4-ovuled; style filiform, much longer than ovary, smooth; stigma discoid, 3-lobed. Pods winged, compressed, fusiform, narrowed to both ends, longitudinally veined at middle part; wings 4–5 mm wide. Seeds 2–4. 2n = 26.

Cultivated in Guangdong (Guangzhou), Guangxi, Yunnan [India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam; Australia, N Oceania; introduced in E Africa: Kenya, Tanzania; Uganda].

2. Peltophorum tonkinense (Pierre) Gagnepain in Lecomte, Fl. Indo-Chine 2: 192. 1913.

yin zhu

Baryxylum tonkinense Pierre, Fl. For. Cochinch. 5: t. 391. 1899; Peltophorum dasyrrhachis (Miquel) Kurz var. tonkinensis (Pierre) K. Larsen & S. S. Larsen.

Trees 12–20 m tall. Young parts and inflorescence densely ferruginous hairy, glabrescent; old branches with small ferruginous lenticels. Leaves 15–35 cm; rachis 8–25 cm; petiole robust, 3–15 cm; pinnae 6–13 pairs, opposite as leaflets; rachis 4–9 cm, sulcate, inflated at base; leaflets 5–14 pairs, oblong, 1.5–2 Χ 0.6–1 cm, abaxially pale green, adaxially deep green and smooth, ferruginous hairy on midvein at first, glabrescent, base attenuate, oblique, apex rounded, emarginate, or mucronate. Racemes subterminal, 8–10 cm. Flowers fragrant, yellowish, large. Pedicels 1–1.5 cm, ferruginous hairy. Receptacle discoid. Sepals subequal, oblong, 8–9 mm, lowest one narrower. Petals obovate-orbicular, ca. 1.5 cm, clawed, margin undulate, ferruginous villous along midvein on both surfaces. Filaments ca. 1 cm, inflated at base, densely ferruginous hairy; anthers oblong, ca. 3.5 mm. Ovary with short stipe, compressed, ferruginous hairy, 2- or 3-ovuled; style filiform, 2–3 Χ as long as ovary; stigma capitate. Pods reddish brown, fusiform, 8–13 cm, 2.5–3 cm at middle part, thinly leathery, asymmetrical at both ends, acuminate, hairy at first, smooth and glabrous when old, winged on both sides; wings 5–7 mm wide. Seeds 3 or 4, yellowish when mature, compressed, obliquely obovoid, ca. 14 Χ 6 mm. Fl. Mar-Jul, fr. Apr-Oct.

Sparse forests, mountain slopes; 300–400 m. Fujian, Hainan. [Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam].

6. CAESALPINIA Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 380. 1753.

yun shi shu

Chen Dezhao (Chen Te-chao); Ding Hou

Guilandina Linnaeus; Mezoneuron Desfontaines.

Trees shrubs or climbers, usually with prickles. Leaves alternate, bipinnate; leaflets alternate or opposite, small or large. Inflorescences racemes or panicles, axillary or terminal. Flowers yellow or orange-yellow, medium-large or large. Receptacle concave. Sepals separate, imbricate, lowest one larger. Petals 5, often clawed, spreading, 4 of them usually orbicular, sometimes oblong, uppermost smaller, different in color, shape, and pubescence from others. Stamens 10, in 2 whorls; filaments thickened and hairy at bases; anthers ovoid or elliptic, dorsifixed and versatile. Ovary 1–7-ovuled; style terete; stigma truncate or hollow at center. Pods compressed or swollen, ovoid, oblong, or lanceolate, sometimes falcate, winged or not, smooth or spiny, leathery or ligneous, rarely fleshy, dehiscent or indehiscent. Seeds ovoid or globose; albumen absent.

About 100 species: pantropical distribution; 20 species in China (seven endemic).

Based on flowering specimens

1a.    Leflets 2 pairs per pinna.

2a.    Leaflets glabrous, ovate-lanceolate, 2.5–3 cm wide, apex acuminate ...  18 C. yunnanensis

2b.    Lealets abaxially hairy or on midvein.

3a.    Leaflets elliptic, 4.5–8 cm wide, apex rounded, rarely obtuse ...........  19. C. elliptifolia

3b.    Leaflets ovate-lanceolate, 2.5–3.5 cm wide, apex acuminate, acute or obtuse  6. C. sinnensis

1b.    Leaflets 3–30 pairs per pinna.

4a.    Pedicels 4.5–7 cm; filaments 5–6 cm ................................................  12. C. pulcherrima

4b.    Pedicels less than 4 cm; filaments less than 2 cm.

5a.    Leaflets 4–15 Χ 2.5–7 cm.

6a.    Leaflets with apex obtuse-rounded, or very obtuse, abaxially puberulous  5. C. magnifoliata

6b.    Leaflets with apex acuminate, abaxially glabrous ............................  15. C. cucullata

5b.    Leaflets usually much smaller.

7a.    Stipules large, leaf-like, lobed, lobes up to 2 cm, leaflets pubescent on both surfaces  1. C. bonduc

7b.    Stipules much smaller, not lobed, or absent.

8a.    Leaflets coriaceous.

9a.    Pinnae 8–16 pairs; leaflets usually ovate-lanceolate, 1.2–2.5 cm Χ 6–12 mm, abaxially sparsely velutinous, apex acute ................................................  8. C. vernalis

9b.    Pinnae 2 or 3, sometimes 4, pairs; leaflets ovate or elliptic, 3–6 Χ 1.5–3 cm, glabrous, apex obtuse- rounded .........................................................................  7. C. crista

8b.    Leaflets papery, or membranous.

10a.  Leaflets abaxially farinose-brown when dry .................................  9. C. caesia

10b.  Leaflets not like above.

11a.  Leaflets 3 or 4 pairs per pinna, slightly rhomboidal, glabrous; ovary 1- or 2-ovuled      20. C. rhombifolia

11b.  Leaflets more pairs per pinna, usually oblong, rarely linear.

12a.  Leaflets linear, ca. 15 Χ 5 mm, 12–30 pairs per pinna; ovary 4- or 5-ovuled           14. C. tortuosa

12b.  Leaflets usually oblong.

13a.  Pedicels 3–4 cm; leaflets 8–12 pairs per pinna, puberulous on both surfaces; ovary 8–10-ovuled .......................................................  11. C. decapetala

13b.  Pedicels much shorter, 1.2–2 cm.

14a.  Leaflets pilose, or ferruginous hairy or pubuscent on both surfaces.

15a.  Leaflets 15–20 pairs per pinna ...........................  4. C. millettii

15b.  Leaflets 5–9 per pinna.

16a.  Leaflets 5 or 6 pairs per pinna, 15–20 Χ ca. 10 mm; ovary 5–7-ovuled ...........................................................  17. C. hymnocarpa

16b.  Leaflets 7–9 pairs per pinna, 6–9 Χ ca. 3 mm; ovary 2–4-ovuled          13. C. digyna

14b.  Leaflets not as above.

17a.  Leaflets less than 1 cm, abaxially and marginally with bristles; petals suborbicular, ca. 9 mm; ovary 1- or 2-ovuled  3. C. mimosoides

17b.  Leaflets 1–4 cm, without bristles; ovary 3–8-ovuled.

18a.  Leaflets with apex shortly acuminate. Petals white, tingled with purple spots, ca. 18 mm ......................................................  2. C. minax

18b.  Leaflets with apex retuse or obtuse-rounded; petals yellow, 8–9 mm.

19a.  Leaflets papery; upper one petal with apex entire  10. C. sappan

19b.  Leaflets membranous; upper one petal with apex 2-lobed  16. C. enneaphylla

 

Based on fruiting specimens

1a.    Pods winged, wings 5–10 mm wide (Subgen. II. Mezoneuron).

2a.    Leaflets usually more than 4 cm; pinnae usually 2–5 pairs; petals smooth, glabrous, inner one broad and short, shortly clawed; pods samara-like, oblong, zygomorphic, 1-seeded at central part 15. C. cucullata

2b.    Leaflets usually not more than 2.5 cm; pinnae usually 6–10 pairs; petals hairy, inner one with long claw; pods 3–7-seeded.

3a.    Leaflets glabrous; seeds swollen-ridged at middle; pods conspicuously swollen opposite each seed .....................................................................................................  16. C. enneaphylla

3b.    Leaflets hairy, especially densely so abaxially; pods and seeds not as above  17. C. hymenocarpa

1b.    Pods wingless or narrowly winged; wing less than 5 mm wide (Subgen. I. Caesalpinia).

4a.    Pods fleshy, indehiscent.

5a.    Rachis of leaves 17–23 cm; pinnae 3–6 cm; leaflets adaxially hairy, not shiny  13. C. digyna

5b.    Rachis of leaves 30–40 cm; pinnae 5–16 cm; leaflets adaxially glabrous or shortly hairy, shiny        14. C. tortuosa

4b.    Pods not fleshy.

6a.    Pods spiny or bristly.

7a.    Pods obovoid, falcate, setose, 4–5 Χ ca. 1 cm, much longer than wide, 1- or 2-seeded             3. C. mimosoides

7b.    Pods oblong, spiny.

8a.    Stipules large, leaflike, parted or lobed; bracts subulate; petals yellow; pods 5–7 Χ 4–5 cm, ca. as long as wide; seeds subglobose .................................................  1. C. bonduc

8b.    Stipules subulate; bracts elliptic; petals whitish, tinged with red spots; pods 7.5–13 Χ 4–4.5 cm; seeds terete ....................................................................................  2. C. minax

6b.    Pods without spines and seta.

9a.    Pods ovoid, elliptic, +/- oblong, or lanceolate-oblong.

10a.  Leaflets abaxially farinose-brown when dry; pods leathery, ovoid or elliptic, ventral sutures narrowly winged, apex without beak, 1-seeded ...............................  9. C. caesia

10b.  Leaflets abaxially not farinose-brown.

11a.  Pods oblong-ligulate, or oblanceolate-oblong, 6–9-seeded or more; pedicels 3.5–7 cm.

12a.  Climbers with copious prickles; pods oblong-ligulate, 2.5–3 cm wide, narrowly winged along ventral suture, dehiscent ......................................  11. C. decapetala

12b.  Small trees, without or scattered with sparse prickles; pods lanceolate-oblong, 1.5–2 cm wide, indehiscent, not winged along ventral suture .......  12. C. pulcherrima

11b.  Pods suboblong, oblong to elliptic, or oblong-obovoid 1–4-seeded; pedicels to ca. 2 cm.

13a.  Leaflets 10–17 pairs per pinna, papery, 10–20 X 5–7 mm; pods ligneous  10. C. sappan

13b.  Leaflets 2 pairs per pinna, leathery, 60–130 X 25–80 mm; pods leathery.

14a.  Leaflets 2.5–3 cm wide, glabrous, apex acuminate; pods dehiscent  18. C. yunnanensis

14b.  Leaflets 4.5–8 cm wide, brown hairy on abaxial surface, apex rounded, or obtuse; pods indehiscent ................................................................  19. C. elliptifolia

9b.    Pods compressed-suborbicular, +/- obliquely broadly ovoid or obliquely oblong.

15a.  Leaflets 7–13 mm; pods leathery, winged along ventral suture .......  4. C. millettii

15b.  Leaflets 15–150 mm.

16a.  Leaflets 6–10 pairs, ovate-lanceolate, apex acuminate, abaxially glaucous; young shoots densely ferruginous pubescent; uppermost petals smaller, revolute  8. C. vernalis

16b.  Leaflets 2–6 pairs, elliptic, ovate, oblong, or broadly ovate; pods with conspicuous reticulate veins.

17a.  Pods ligneous; leaflets to 15 cm ................................  5. C. magnifoliolata

17b.  Pods leathery; leaflets not more than 9 cm.

18a.  Leaflets apically acuminate; pods with wings ca. 3 mm wide, along ventral sutures  6. C. sinensis

18b.  Leaflets apically obtuse-rounded, sometimes emarginate, rarely acute; pods not winged or wings obscure

19a.  Leaflets 4–6 pairs per pinna, ovate or elliptic, 3–6 Χ 1.5–3 cm  7. C. crista

19b.  Leaflets 3 or 4 pairs per pinna, slightly rhomboidal, 1.5–2 Χ 8–12 mm  20. C. rhombifolia

 

1. Caesalpinia bonduc (Linnaeus) Roxburgh, Fl. Ind. ed. 2, 2: 362. 1832.

ci huo su mu

Guilandia bonduc Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 381. 1753; Caesalpinia bonducella (Linnaeus) Fleming.

Prickly climbers, yellowish pubescent throughout. Prickles straight or somewhat recurved. Leaves 30–45 cm; rachis with recurved prickles; pinnae 6–9 pairs, opposite; stipules deciduous, large, leaflike, usually lobed, lobes to 2 cm; leaflets 6–12 pairs, oblong, 1.5–4 Χ 1.2–2 cm, membranous, both surfaces pubescent, base oblique, apex rounded to acute, mucronate. Racemes axillary, long pedunculate, densely flowered in upper part and sparsely so in lower part; bracts caducous at anthesis, reflexed, subulate, 6–8 mm, pubescent. Pedicels 3–5 mm. Sepals 5, ca. 8 mm, both sides ferruginous hairy. Petals yellowish; standard tinged with red spots, oblanceolate, clawed. Filaments short, hairy in basal part. Ovary hairy. Pods oblong, 5–7 Χ 4–5 cm, leathery, apex rounded and with beak, swollen, with dense, slender spines 5–10 mm. Seeds 2 or 3, grayish, ovoid to globose, shiny. Fl. Feb, Jul-Oct, fr. Oct-May.

Thickets, roadsides, near seashore; near sea level to 200 m. Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan,Taiwan [pantropical].

2. Caesalpinia minax Hance, J. Bot. 22: 365. 1884.

hui jia yun shi

Caesalpinia morsei Dunn.

Prickly climbers, puberulous throughout. Leaves to 45 cm; stipules subulate, hard; pinnae 5–8 pairs; leaflets 6–12 pairs, elliptic or oblong, 2–4 Χ 1.1–1.7 cm, puberulous on midvein, base rounded and slightly oblique, apex obtuse-rounded or acute. Racemes or panicles terminal; bracts ovate-lanceolate, apex shortly acuminate. Pedicels ca. 1.5 cm. Sepals 5, ca. 1.3 cm, densely yellowish velutinous. Petals whitish, tinged with purple spots, obovate, ca. 1.8 Χ 1.2 cm, abaxially and marginally hairy, contiguous at base, apex obtuse-rounded. Stamens 10, slightly shorter than petals, densely pubescent in lower part. Ovary with dense, small spines, 7- or 8-ovuled; style slightly longer than stamens, glabrous. Pods oblong, 7.5–13 Χ 4–4.5 cm, densely spiny, apex obtuse-rounded, with beak 5–25 mm. Seeds 4–8, elliptic, slightly concave on one side, ca. 1.8 Χ 1 cm, with cyclic veins. Fl. Mar-May, Jul, Sep, Nov; fr. Apr-Dec.

Mountain valleys, by streams, in bushes; 50–1500 m. Fujian (cultivated), Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan [India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam].

3. Caesalpinia mimosoides Lamarck, Encycl. 1: 462. 1785.

han xiu yun shi

Woody climbers. Branchlets densely ferruginous glandular hairy, with recurved prickles. Leaves 22–36 cm; pinnae opposite, 13–23 pairs, ca. 3.5 cm; leaflets opposite, 7–14 pairs, oblong, ca. 9 Χ 4 mm, abaxially and marginally with bristles. Racemes terminal, lax. Flowers large, more than 50 per inflorescence; pedicels unequal in length, 1.5–2 cm in upper part and 3–3.5 cm in lower part of inflorescence. Sepals 5, ca. 10 Χ 8 mm. Petals bright yellow, suborbicular, upper one smaller, ca. 8 mm wide, others larger, ca. 1.7 Χ 1.3 cm. Stamens 10; filaments ca. 1.8 cm, densely cottony in lower part. Ovary ca. 5 mm, densely hairy, 1- or 2-ovuled; style 1.4–1.5 cm, pilose; stigma truncate. Pods obovoid, falcate, 4–5 Χ ca. 2.5 cm, setose, dehiscent. Seeds 1 or 2, oblong. Fl. Nov-Dec, fr. Feb-Mar.

In bushes, near roads; 600–700 m. Yunnan (Xishuangbanna) [Bangladesh, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam].

4. Caesalpinia millettii Hooker & Arnott, Bot. Beechey Voy. 182. 1883.

xiao ye yun shi

Pterolobium subvestitum Hance.

Prickly climbers, ferruginous puberulous throughout. Leaves 19–20 cm; rachis with recurved prickles in pairs; pinnae 7–12 pairs; leaflets 15–20 pairs, alternate, oblong, 7–13 Χ 4–5 mm, both surfaces ferruginous hairy, much denser abaxially, base obliquely truncate, apex obtuse-rounded. Panicles axillary, to 30 cm. Flowers numerous, compact in upper part, sparse in lower part of inflorescence; pedicels ca. 1.5 cm, sparsely puberulous. Sepals 5, lowest one ca. 8 mm, others ca. 5 mm. Petals yellowish, suborbicular, ca. 8 mm wide, upper one smaller, ca. 4 mm wide, clawed. Stamens ca. 1 cm; filaments pilose in lower part. Pistil slightly longer than stamens, ca. 1.3 cm; ovary and lower part of style pubescent; stigma truncate, hairy. Pods obovoid, adaxial suture straight, narrowly winged, puberulous; valves leathery, unarmed, dehiscent along dorsal suture when mature. Seed solitary, brownish red, reniform, ca. 11 Χ 6 mm, shiny, with cyclic veins. Fl. Aug-Sep, fr. Apr, Sep-Dec.

* In bushes, foothills, by streams; 200–800 m. Guangdong, Guangxi, S Hunan, S Jiangxi.

5. Caesalpinia magnifoliolata Metcalf, Lingnan Sci. J. 19: 553. 1940.

da ye yun shi

Prickly climbers. Branchlets ferruginous puberulous. Leaves with pinnae 2 or 3 pairs; petioles and petiolules puberulous; leaflets 4–6 pairs, oblong, 4–15 Χ 2.5–7 cm, leathery, abaxially puberulous, adaxially glabrous, shiny, both ends obtuse-rounded or apex very obtuse. Racemes axillary or panicles terminal. Flowers yellow; pedicels 9–10 mm. Sepals 5, ca. 5 Χ 3 mm. Petals ca. 10 Χ 5 mm, shortly clawed. Stamens 10; filaments ca. 1 cm, puberulous in lower part. Ovary subsessile, 2- or 3-ovuled, glabrous; style ca. 1 cm; stigma truncate. Pods compressed, suborbicular, 3.5–4 Χ ca. 3.5 cm, dorsal suture extending to both sides and forming a carinate narrow wing; valves brown, ligneous, with robust reticulate veins. Seed solitary, brownish black, compressed-suborbicular, ca. 2 cm in diam. Fl. Feb, Apr, Jul; fr. May-Jun, Aug, Oct-Nov.

* Forest, bushes; 400–1800 m. Guangdong, Guangxi, S Guizhou, S Yunnan.

6. Caesalpinia sinensis (Hemsley) J. E. Vidal, Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat., ser. 3, 395(Bot. 27): 90. 1976, nom. cons.

ji zui le

Mezoneuron sinensis Hemsley, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 23: 204. 1887; Caesalpinia parvifolia Steudel; C. stenoptera Merrill; C. tsoongii Merrill; M. sinensis var. parvifolium Hemsley.

Climbers. Stems and branchlets with scattered robust, recurved prickles. Young shoots +/- ferruginous pubescent, glabrescent or subglabrous when old. Leaves bipinnate; rachis with recurved prickles; petiolules short; pinnae 2 or 3 pairs, ca. 30 cm; leaflets 2 pairs, oblong to ovate, 6–9 Χ 2.5–3.5 cm, leathery, abaxially hairy on midvein, adaxially glabrous, light green to olive-green, slightly shiny, lateral veins ca. 20 pairs, conspicuous, base rounded or oblique, apex acuminate, acute, or obtuse. Panicles axillary or terminal. Pedicels ca. 5 mm. Sepals 5, ca. 4 Χ 3 mm. Petals 5, yellow, ca. 7 mm, with claw ca. 3 mm. Stamens 10; filaments ca. 1 cm, ferruginous pubescent in lower part. Pistil longer than stamens; ovary subsessile, pubescent or subglabrous, 1- or 2(–4)-ovuled. Pods chestnut-brown, compressed, suborbicular, ca. 4.5 Χ 3.5 cm, leathery, conspicuously reticulate, ventral suture slightly curved, narrowly winged, wing ca. 3 mm wide, apex with beak ca. 3 mm. Seed solitary, compressed, suborbicular, ca. 2 cm in diam. Fl. Mar-May, fr. Mar-Apr, Jul-Oct.

Forests, bushes; 100–900 m. Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Yunnan [N Laos, Myanmar, N Vietnam].

7. Caesalpinia crista Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 380. 1753.

hua nan yun shi

Caesalpinia kwangtungensis Merrill; C. nuga Aiton; C. szechuenensis Craib; Guilandina nuga Linnaeus.

Woody climbers, to 10 m tall. Bark blackish, with few recurved prickles. Leaves 20–30 cm; rachis with blackish recurved prickles; pinnae 2 or 3, or sometimes 4 pairs, opposite; leaflets 4–6 pairs, opposite, with short petiolules, ovate or elliptic, 3–6 Χ 1.5–3 cm, leathery, both surfaces glabrous, adaxially shiny, base broadly cuneate or obtuse, apex obtuse-rounded, sometimes emarginate, rarely acute. Racemes 10–20 cm. arranged in terminal, lax, large panicles. Flowers fragrant; pedicels 5–15 mm, slender. Sepals 5, lanceolate, ca. 6 mm, glabrous. Petals unequal: 4 yellow, ovate, glabrous, slightly conspicuously shortly clawed; upper one tinged with red stripes, attenuate to claw, inside hairy at central part. Stamens slightly extended; filaments inflated and hairy at base. Ovary hairy, 2-ovuled. Pods obliquely ovoid, 3–4 Χ 2–3 cm, swollen, leathery, reticulate, apex beaked. Seed solitary, compressed. Fl. Apr-Jul, fr. Jul-Dec. 2n = 24.

Mountain slopes, forests; 400–1500 m. Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan [From India to Polynesia: Australia, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan (Ryukyus), Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam; Polynesia].

8. Caesalpinia vernalis Champion ex Bentham, Hooker's J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 4: 77. 1852.

chun yun shi

Prickly climbers, ferruginous velutinous throughout. Leaves with 25–30 cm, pubescent, prickly rachis; pinnae 8–16 pairs, 5–8 cm; petiolules 1.5–2 mm; leaflets 6–10 pairs, ovate-lanceolate, ovate, or elliptic, 1.2–2.5 cm Χ 6–12 mm, leathery, abaxially glaucous, sparsely ferruginous velutinous, adaxially glabrous, deep green and shiny, base rounded, apex acute. Panicles in axils of upper leaves or terminal, with abundant flowers. Pedicels 7–9 mm. Sepals obovate-oblong, ciliate, lower one larger than others, ca. 1 cm. Petals yellow, upper one smaller, revolute, with red stripes. Stamens apically descending, lower part of filaments pubescent. Ovary with short stipe, puberulous, 2-ovuled; style thick; stigma obliquely truncate. Pods blackish purple, obliquely oblong, 4–6 Χ 2.5–3.5 cm, ligneous, wrinkled, without reticulate veins, apex beaked. Seeds 2, axe-shaped, ca. 1.7 Χ 2 cm, truncate and slightly concave on one end, shiny. Fl. Apr, fr. Dec.

* On moist sandy soil, beside rocks along valleys, in thickets; ca. 600 m. S Fujian, Guangdong, S Zhejiang.

9. Caesalpinia caesia Handel-Mazzetti, Oesterr. Bot. Z. 85: 215. 1936.

fen te su mu

Caesalpinia hypoglauca Chun & F. C. How.

Climbers. Branchlets with sparse recurved prickles, puberulous. Leaves 15–20 cm; pinnae 5–8 pairs; rachis of leaves and pinnae pilose; leaflets 8–12 pairs, opposite, dispersed, subsessile, blades oblong, 8–15 Χ 4–6 mm, papery, both surfaces glabrous, abaxially farinose-brown when dry, adaxially brown, shiny, base obliquely truncate, apex truncate or obtuse-rounded, emarginate. Panicles axillary, 10–15 cm, brown puberulous. Pedicels 4–7 mm, jointed apically. Flowers ca. 8 mm in diam. at anthesis. Sepals 5, glabrous, lowest one cucullate-lanceolate, ca. 6 mm, apex obtuse, other 4 sepals ovate-oblong, slightly shorter, 3.5–4 mm. Petals obovate-oblong, 3.5–4 mm, pubescent, shortly clawed. Stamens 10; filaments ferruginous pilose at base. Ovary elliptic, glabrous, 2-ovuled Pods blackish when dry, ovoid or elliptic, ca. 5 Χ 2.3–3 cm, thin, swollen at maturity, concave, ventral suture narrowly winged, 1-seeded. Fl. Jul-Sep, fr. Aug.

* Sparse forests along rivers; 200–1000 m. Guangxi, Hainan.

10. Caesalpinia sappan Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 381. 1753.

su mu

Trees small, to 6 m tall, +/- puberulous except on old branches and pods. Branches with dense, conspicuous lenticels. Leaves 30–45 cm; pinnae 7–13 pairs, opposite, 8–12 cm; leaflets 10–17 pairs, closely spaced, sessile, blades oblong to oblong-rhomboid, 1–2 cm Χ 5–7 mm, papery, both surfaces glabrous or sparsely hairy, lateral veins slender, conspicuous on both surfaces, contiguous near margin, base oblique, inserted at oblique angles to rachis of pinnae, apex retuse or rounded. Panicles terminal or axillary, ca. as long as leaves. Bracts caducous, lanceolate, large. Pedicels ca. 1.5 cm, puberulous. Receptacle shallowly campanulate. Sepals 5, slightly unequal, lower one larger than others, cucullate. Petals yellow, broadly obovate, ca. 9 mm, uppermost one entire at apex, tinged pink at base, clawed. Stamens slightly exserted; filaments densely pubescent at lower part. Ovary grayish velutinous, stipitate, 3–6-ovuled; style slender, hairy; stigma truncate. Pods reddish brown, slightly compressed, suboblong to oblong-obovoid, ca. 7 Χ 3.5-4 cm, ligneous, shiny, attenuate to base, apex obliquely truncate, upper margin with a sharp beak. Seeds 3 or 4, light brown, slightly compressed, oblong. Fl. May-Oct, fr. Jul-Mar. 2n = 24.

Origin unknown. Cultivated in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan [India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam; also in Africa and America].

The heartwood contains a red dye, and is used medicinally to ease pain.

11. Caesalpinia decapetala (Roth) Alston in Trimen, Handb. Fl. Ceylon 6(Suppl.): 89. 1931.

yun shi

Reichardia decapetala Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 212. 1821; Caesalpinia decapetala var. japonica (Siebold & Zuccarini) Ohashi; C. decapetala var. pubescens (Tang & Wang) P. C. Huang; C. japonica Siebold & Zuccarini; C. sepiaria Roxburgh; C. sepiaria var. japonica (Siebold & Zuccarini) Gagnepain; C. sepiaria var. pubescens Tang & Wang.

Climbers, with copious prickles. Bark dull red. Branches, rachis of leaves, and inflorescence with recurved prickles and pubescent. Leaves 20–30 cm; pinnae 3–10 pairs, opposite, with prickles in pairs at base; stipules obliquely ovate, apex acuminate, caducous; leaflets 8–12 pairs, oblong, 1–2.5 cm Χ 6–12 mm, membranous, both surfaces puberulous, glabrescent when old, both ends obtuse-rounded. Racemes terminal, 15–30 cm, abundant with flowers; rachis densely prickly. Pedicels 3–4 cm, hairy, jointed apically, so flowers easily fall off. Sepals 5, oblong, puberulous. Petals reflexed at anthesis, yellow, orbicular or obovate, 1–1.2 cm, membranous, base shortly clawed. Stamens subequal to petals in length; filaments compressed at base, lanose in lower part. Ovary glabrous. Pods chestnut-brown, oblong-ligulate, 6–12 Χ 2.5–3 cm, fragile-leathery, glabrous, shiny, dehiscent and thickened to a narrow wing along ventral suture when ripe, apex prolonged into a sharp beak. Seeds 6–9, brown, elliptic, ca. 11 Χ 6 mm. Fl. and fr. Apr-Oct. 2n = 22*, 24*.

In bushes on mountain slopes, in ravine, plains, hills, by riversides; near sea level to 1800 m. Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka].

The roots, stems, and pods are used medicinally for relieving pain.

12. Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Linnaeus) Swartz, Observ. Bot. 166. 1791.

jin feng hua

Poinciana pulcherrima Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 380. 1753.

Shrubs or small trees. Branches smooth, green or farinose-green, with scattered, sparse prickles. Leaves 12–26 cm; pinnae 4–8 pairs, opposite, 6–12 cm; petiolules short; leaflets 7–11 pairs, oblong or obovate, 1–2 cm Χ 4–8 mm, base oblique, apex emarginate, sometimes acute. Racemes subcorymbose, terminal or axillary, lax, to 25 cm. Pedicels unequal in length, 4.5–7 cm; Receptacle concave to turbinate, glabrous. Sepals 5, glabrous, lowest one ca. 1.4 cm, others ca. 1 cm. Petals orange-red or yellow, orbicular, 1–2.5 cm, margin wavy, with claw subequal to limb in length. Stamens very far exserted; filaments red, 5–6 cm, thick and hairy in basal part. Ovary glabrous; style long, orange-yellow, 5–6.5 mm. Pods blackish brown when ripe, oblanceolate-oblong, narrow and thin, 6–10 Χ 1.5–2 cm, not winged, glabrous, indehiscent, apex rounded, upper suture ending in a sharp beak. Seeds 6–9. Fl. and fr. All around the year. 2n = 24, 28.

Cultivated in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Taiwan, Yunnan [native to South America, widely cultivated throughout the tropics].

A valuable ornamental of tropical regions.

13. Caesalpinia digyna Rottler, Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin Neue Schr. 4: 200. 1803.

rou jia yun shi

Large climber, with recurved prickles. Bark deep brown. Leaves 12–20 cm; rachis 17–23 cm, with recurved prickles, puberulous or glabrous; pinnae 6–9 pairs, 3–6 cm, with stipuliform prickles in pairs at base; leaflets 7–9 pairs, subsessile, closely spaced, blades oblong, 6–9 Χ ca. 3 mm, papery, both surfaces pilose at first, base oblique-rounded at base, apex obtuse-rounded. Racemes terminal or axillary, ca. as long as or longer than leaves. Pedicels 1.2–2 cm, slender. Receptacle shallowly cup-shaped, glabrescent. Sepals 5, 6–8 mm. Petals yellow, suborbicular, ca. 1 cm, shortly clawed. Filaments slightly exserted, densely villous in lower part, thickened at base. Ovary glabrous. Pods brown, indehiscent, oblong, 3.5–5 Χ 1.6–2 cm, fleshy, smooth, 2–4-seeded. Fl. Apr-Nov, fr. May-Mar.

In bushes on mountain slopes, seashores; 200–300 m. Hainan, Yunnan [Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam].

14. Caesalpinia tortuosa Roxburgh, Fl. Ind., ed. 2, 2: 365. 1832.

niu guo su mu

Climbers, erect shrubs, or small trees, to 10 m tall. Branches glabrous, with scattered recurved prickles. Leaves with 30–40 cm tomentose rachis; stipules absent; pinnae 7–20 pairs, 5–16 cm, with prickles in pairs at base; leaflets 12–30 pairs, sessile, linear, ca. 15 Χ 5 mm, membranous, lateral veins conspicuous, 4–6 pairs, base obliquely truncate, apex obtuse-rounded. Racemes or panicles terminal or axillary, 20–60 cm, pubescent. Pedicels 8–20 mm, not jointed above base. Sepals 5, unequal, lowest one deeply cucullate, ca. 10 Χ 7 mm, other 4 ca. 6 Χ 4 mm, usually ciliate. Petals yellowish, often tinged with spots. Stamens 10; filaments 1–1.4 cm, hairy at lower part. Pistil 1–1.6 cm; ovary sessile, pubescent or glabrous, 4- or 5-ovuled; style inclined; stigma truncate, ciliate. Pods blackish when dry, indehiscent, often twisted, 3.5–9 Χ 2–3.5 cm, base rounded, apex obtuse, shortly beaked, both sutures thickened, often constricted in between seeds, exocarp and endocarp adnate, swollen on seeds, transversely cleft when ripe. Seeds 1–5(–7), subglobose, ca. 1 cm in diam. Fl. Jun-Aug, fr. Jul-Aug.

In bushes on mountain slopes; ca. 1400 m. Guangdong (Guangzhou, cultivated), Yunnan [India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar].

15. Caesalpinia cucullata Roxburgh, Fl. Ind., ed. 2, 2: 358. 1832.

jian xue fei

Mezoneurum cucullatum (Roxburgh) Wight & Arnott.

Climbers 3–5 m tall, with recurved prickles on old stems forming compressed orbicular corky knob. Branches and rachis of leaves with blackish brown recurved prickles. Rachis of leaves 20–40 cm; pinnae 2–5 pairs, stalked; stipules absent; leaflets 3–6 pairs, large, ovate, broadly ovate, or oblong, 4–12 Χ 2.5–5 cm, leathery, abaxially grayish white, adaxially deep green and shiny, base broadly cuneate or obtuse-rounded, apex acuminate. Panicles terminal or racemes lateral, subequal to leaves in length. Flowers zygomorphic; pedicels 6–12 mm, jointed, glabrous. Receptacle deeply discoid or shallowly campanulate. Sepals 5, unequal, lowest one cucullate, others triangular-oblong, withered and falling after anthesis. Petals yellow, uppermost one short and broad, apex 2-lobed forming fishtail-shape, shortly clawed at base, other 4 yellowish tinged red striate, oblong, glabrous, shiny. Stamens 10, exserted, slightly thickened at base, brown pubescent. Ovary compressed, 1(or 2)-ovuled; style slender; stigma small, truncate. Pods reddish brown, compressed, elliptic-oblong. 8–12 Χ 2.5–3.5 cm, shiny, indehiscent, winged along ventral suture, wing 6–9 mm wide, 1(or 2)-seeded. Fl. Nov-Feb, fr. Mar-Oct.

In open forests, in bushes on mountain slopes; 500–1200 m. Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam].

16. Caesalpinia enneaphylla Roxburgh, Fl. Ind., ed. 2, 2: 363. 1832.

jiu yu jian xue fei

Mezoneurum enneaphyllum (Roxburgh) Wight & Arnott.

Large climber. Branches with scattered, blackish brown, recurved prickles. Leaves alternate; rachis 25–30 cm; pinnae 8–10 pairs, stalked, opposite, 6–8 cm, with blackish brown prickles in pairs at base; petiolules short; leaflets 8–12 pairs, opposite, oblong, (10–)15–25 Χ 5–8 mm, membranous, both ends obtuse-rounded. Panicles terminal or racemes axillary, 10-20 cm, pubescent. Flowers fragrant, papilionaceous, large; pedicels 1–2.5 cm. Receptacle discoid, persistent after anthesis. Sepals 5, glabrous, unequal, lowermost one cucullate. Petals yellow, upper one suborbicular, apex 2-lobed forming fishtail-shape. Stamens 10; filaments slender, thickened and densely yellowish brown villous from middle downward; anthers dull brown. Ovary subsessile, inserted at base of receptacle, glabrous, 3–7-ovuled; style long. Pods reddish brown, subsessile, compressed, broadly lanceolate or elliptic-oblong, 10–14 Χ 3–3.5 cm, smooth, without prickles, winged along ventral suture, wing 5–6 mm wide. Seeds 3–7, ovoid, with swollen ridge at middle. Fl. Sep-Oct, fr. Oct-Feb.

In bushes on mountain slopes, at foot of mountains, open forests; ca. 600 m. S and SW Guangxi, Yunnan [Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam].

17. Caesalpinia hymenocarpa (Prain) Hattink, Reinwardtia 9: 35. 1974.

mo jia jian xue fei

Mezoneuron hymenocarpum Prain, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Pt. 2, Nat. Hist. 66(2): 233. 1897.

Climbers. Branches sparsely yellowish pubescent, with scattered yellowish brown recurved prickles. Leaves alternate; rachis 20–30 cm; pinnae 8-10 pairs, opposite; rachis of pinnae and leaves yellowish pubescent; petiolules short, with opposite, recurved stipulous prickles; stipules scale-like, ca. 0.5 mm; leaflets 5 or 6 pairs, oblong, 1.5–2 Χ ca. 1 cm, membranous, abaxially yellowish green, adaxially deep green, both surfaces yellowish pubescent, base broadly cuneate, apex obtuse-rounded. Racemes or panicles axillary or terminal, 30–50 cm. Pedicels 1–1.5 cm; bracts yellowish brown, lanceolate, densely yellowish pubescent, apex long acuminate. Receptacle discoid. Sepals 5, outside yellowish pubescent, lowest one cucullate, others oblong. Petals yellow, upper one orbicular, clawed, lateral two smaller, lowermost one folded and raised. Stamens 10; filaments thickened at lower part, densely brown villous, unequal, curved; anthers elliptic. Ovary smooth, 5–7-ovuled; style gradually inflated towards lower part; stigma praemorse. Pods compressed and thin, falcate, 10–15 Χ ca. 2.5 cm when ripe, winged along ventral suture, wing ca. 1 cm wide. Seeds 5–7, compressed, narrowly ovoid. Fl. Sep-Oct, fr. Dec-Feb.

In open forests, humid places; 300–800 m. Guangxi (Balse), Yunnan [Bangladesh, Cambodia, India (Andaman Isl.), Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam].

18. Caesalpinia yunnanensis S. J. Li, D. X. Zhang & Z. Y. Chen, Novon 16: 78. 2006.

YUN nan yun shi

Lianas. Branchlets with recurved prickles; stipules lacking. Leaf rachis ca. 20 cm, with recurved prickles; pinnae 3 pairs, opposite; leaflets 2 pairs per pinna, opposite, petiolule 3–4 mm; blade ovate-lanceolate, 6–9 Χ 2.5–3 cm, leathery, both surfaces glabrous, adaxially shiny, base slightly rounded or sometimes widely cuneate, apex obtusely acuminate. Flowers not seen. Pods oblong to elliptic, slightly asymmetric or obliquely asymmetric, 4–7 Χ 2.5–3 cm, leathery, base widely cuneate, apex obtuse, beaked. Seed solitary, compressed. Fl. not seen, fr. Oct.

*In thickets at riversides or in sparse woods at roadsides; ca. 600 m. Yunnan (Xishuangbanna).

19. Caesalpinia elliptifolia S. J. Li, Z. Y. Chen & D. X. Zhang, Nord. J. Bot. 22: 349. 2002.

TUO ye yun shi

Lianas to 15 m; young parts with dense brown hairs. Branchlets occasionally with scattered recurved prickles. Stipules absent. Leaf rhachis 20–30 cm, with recurved prickles; pinnae 1 or 2 pairs; leaflets opposite, 2 pairs per pinna, petiolule 2–3 mm; blade elliptic, 7–13 Χ 4.5–8 cm, leathery, abaxially with brown hairs especially on midvein, adaxially glabrous, base rounded, apex rounded, rarely obtuse. Racemes terminal and supra-axillary, aggregated into a panicle, 15–25 cm, all parts densely hairy; bracts lanceolate, 1–3 mm, caducous; pedicels 8–12 mm. Flowers yellow. Calyx lobes oblong, ca. 6 Χ 2 mm. Petals unqual, 10–15 Χ 4–5 mm, shortly clawed. Stamens 10; filaments 9–14 mm, woolly from base to just above middle. Ovary subsessile, 2 mm, hairy, 1- or 2-ovuled; style 7–10 mm, occasionally as short as 2 mm; stigma truncate. Pods compressed, indehiscent, oblong-elliptic, subsymmetrical, ca. 5 Χ 2.5 cm, without narrow wing, leathery, with robust reticulate veins. Seeds 1 or 2, brownish black, compressed-suborbicular, ca. 1.5 cm in diam. Fl. Apr, fr. May-Jun.

* Beside ditches; ca. 100 m. Guangdong (Fengkai).

20. Caesalpinia rhombifolia J. E. Vidal, Adansonia ser. 2, 15(1975): 394. 1976

LING YE yun shi

Woody climbers. Branches with few prickles. Leaf rachis ca. 15 cm, with prickles; pinnae 4–6 pairs, opposite, rachis 4–5 cm, with one pair of prickles at base; leaflets 3 or 4 pairs, opposite, petiolules ca. 1 mm, slightly rhomboidal, 1.5–2 Χ 0.8–1.2 cm, papery, both surfaces glabrous, base broadly cuneate, apex acute, rarely slightly emarginate. Racemes paniculate, terminal or axillary, 10–20 cm; pedicels 6–9 mm, glabrous or nearly so, jointed at apical part. Flower buds glabrous. Flowers yellow. Calyx lobes glabrous, except with margin ciliate. Petals unequal, ca. 7 mm, inside hairy at base; upper one smaller, rounded at apex, contracted and hairy towards middle. Stamens with hairy filaments. Ovary glabrous, 1- or 2-ovuled; style ca. 1 cm. Pods obliquely semicircular, ca. 4 Χ 2.5 cm, leathery, ca. 1 cm stalked, apex beaked. Seed 1, broadly ellipsoid, ca. 2 Χ 1 cm. Fl.( not seen in China, based on original description) May-Jul, fr. ??.

In thickets. Guangxi (Dongxing) [Vietnam].

7. PTEROLOBIUM R. Brown ex Wight & Arnott, Prodr. 283. 1834, nom. cons.

lao hu ci shu

Chen Dezhao (Chen Te-chao); Ding Hou

Cantuffa J. F. Gmelin; Reichardia Roth.

Tall climbing shrubs or woody climbers. Branches with recurved prickles. Leaves abruptly bipinnate, alternate; pinnae and leaflets numerous; stipules and stipels caducous, small or obscure. Racemes or panicles axillary or terminal; bracts caducous, subulate to linear. Flowers whitish or yellowish, small; bracteoles absent. Receptacle discoid. Sepals 5, imbricate, lowermost one navicular, larger, emarginate. Petals 5, spreading, oblong or obovate, slightly unequal, with imbricate sepals. Stamens 10, free, subequal, declinate; filaments sometimes villous at bases; anthers uniform, cells opening by lateral slits. Ovary sessile, ovate, inserted at base of receptacle, free, 1- or 2-ovuled; style short or elongated and clavate at apex; stigma terminal, truncate or concave. Pods sessile, compressed and samaroid, indehiscent, upper part produced into an oblique oblong or falcate, membranous wing. Seed pendulous at apex of locules, without endosperm; cotyledons flat; radicle short, straight.

About 10 species: tropical and subtropical Africa, mostly in Asia to Indonesia and the Philippines; two species in China.

1a.    Flowers scattered; petals unequal; wings of fruit 4–4.5 Χ 1.8–2 cm, broadest at middle forming curved margin on one side; leaves with pinnae 4–6 pairs; leaflets 1.5–2 Χ 0.6–1 cm, usually 6–9 pairs, veins conspicuous, abaxially without blackish dots ..........................................  1. P. macropterum

1b.    Flowers densely fascicled; petals homomorphic; wings of fruits not as above, 3–4 Χ 1.3–1.5 cm; leaves with pinnae 9–14 pairs; leaflets smaller and numerous, usually 19–30 pairs, veins obscure, abaxially with conspicuous or obscure blackish dots ........................................................  2. P. punctatum

 

1. Pterolobium macropterum Kurz, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 42(2): 71. 1873.

da chi lao hu ci

Pterolobium indicum var. macropterum (Kurz) Baker; P. sinense J. E. Vidal.

Woody climbers, tall. Young branchlets striate, sparsely hairy; old branches glabrous, with blackish prickles in pairs at bases of petioles. Leaf rachis 8–10 cm; pinnae 4–6 pairs, 8–10 cm; rachis of leaves and pinnae densely brownish hispidulous, articulate; leaflets 6–9 pairs, opposite, obliquely oblong, 1.5–2 Χ 0.6–1 cm, leathery, both surfaces glabrous, base asymmetrical, apex rounded, cuspidate, or emarginate. Racemes or panicles terminal or supra-axillary; rachis 10–15 cm, hairy; bracts subulate. Pedicels 5–10 mm. Sepals unequal, thickly leathery, smooth. Petals whitish, outer 4 equal, ca. 5 mm, obovate, innermost one abruptly contracted into a broad claw from middle downward, blade ciliate on margin, apex undulate, auriculate. Stamens equal in length, exserted; filaments ca. 8 mm, inflated and densely hairy from middle downward; anthers oblong, ca. 1 mm. Ovary slightly puberulous. 2-ovuled; style filiform, glabrous; stigma funnel-shaped, ciliate. Pods indehiscent, 6–6.5 cm; wings oblique, 4–4.5 Χ 1.8–2 cm, part containing seed ovoid. Fr. May, Oct.

In dry thickets, forests, sunny slopes; 400–1600 m. Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan [India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam].

2. Pterolobium punctatum Hemsley, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 23: 207. 1887.

lao hu ci

Caesalpinia aestivalis W. Y. Chun & F. C. How; Pterolobium indicum Hance; P. rosthornii Harms.

Woody climbers or climbing shrubs, 3–10 m tall. Branchlets angular, silvery white puberulous and light yellow hairy when young, glabrescent when old, with blackish, recurved, short prickles scattered or in pairs at bases of petioles. Rachis of leaves 12–20 cm; petioles 3–5 cm, with paired blackish stipulaceous spines; pinnae 9–14 pairs, long and narrow; rachis of pinnae 5–8 cm, sulcate; petiolules short, articulate; leaflets 19–30 pairs, opposite, narrowly oblong, blades at middle 9–10 Χ 2–2.5 mm, both surfaces yellowish hairy, abaxially denser, abaxially with conspicuous or obscure blackish dots, veins obscure, base slightly oblique, apex rounded-cuspidate or emarginate. Racemes 8–13 Χ 1.5–2.5 cm, puberulous, supra-axillary or at apices of branches forming a panicle; bracts setiform, 3–5 mm. Pedicels 2–4 mm, slender, spaced at intervals of 1–2 mm. Flower buds obovoid, ca. 4.5 mm, tomentose. Sepals: lowest one longer, navicular, ca. 4 mm, ciliate; other ones oblong, ca. 3 mm. Petals equal, slightly longer than calyx, obovate, apex slightly praemorse. Stamens equal in length, exserted; filaments 5–6 mm, pubescent from middle downward; anthers broadly ovoid, ca. 1 mm. Ovary compressed, ciliate on one side, 2-ovuled; style glabrous; stigma funnel-shaped. Pods 4–6 cm, part containing seed rhomboid, 1.6–2 Χ 1–1.3 cm, wings straight on one side and curved on other side, 3–4 Χ 1.3–1.5 cm, shiny, with persistent style. Seed solitary, elliptic, ca. 8 mm. Fl. Jun-Aug, Oct, fr. Apr, Sep-Jan.

Sparse forests, sunny slopes, dry rocky hills, near roads, limestone mountains; 300–2000 m. Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Laos].

16. LYSIDICE Hance, J. Bot. 5: 298. 1867.

yi hua shu

Chen Dezhao (Chen Te-chao); Ding Hou

Shrubs or trees. Leaves abruptly pinnate; leaflets 3–5 pairs, opposite, base slightly oblique, asymmetrical on two sides; petiolules short; stipules caducous or late deciduous, small, subulate or narrowly triangular. Panicles terminal. Flowers showy, purplish red or pink, with large, red or white bracts at base; bracteoles small, in pairs inserted at apex or near apex on pedicels. Calyx tubular, 4-lobed, lobes imbricate, reflexed after anthesis. Petals 5: 3 at the back large, obovate, long clawed; 2 in front small, reduced, scale-like or subulate. Perfect stamens 2, free or slightly connate at base; filaments elongated, reflexed in bud; anthers elliptic, opening lengthwise; staminodes 3–8, unequal in length, subulate, without anthers or with 1–3 orbicular, small, abortive anthers. Ovary compressed, oblong, stipitate, stipe adnate to calyx tube, 6–14-ovuled. Style filiform, long; stigma capitate, small. Pods compressed, oblong or obovoid-oblong, thickly leathery or ligneous, with stipes, 2-valved, valves flat or slightly curling or spirally twisted. Seeds compressed, oblong, obliquely broadly elliptic to suborbicular, shiny, margin not thickened or conspicuously thickened into a narrow edged ring; cotyledons flat; embryo small.

About two species distributed in S and SW China, and Vietnam; both in China.

1a.    Bracts, bracteoles pink; calyx tube 1.2–1.5 cm, longer than lobes; seeds marginally not thickened, testa thin, inside without gelatin; shrubs or small trees ................................................  1. L. rhodostegia

1b.    Bracts, bracteoles white; calyx tube 3–9 mm, shorter than lobes; seeds marginally conspicuously thickened into a narrowly edged ring; testa thicker, inside with a layer of spongy gelatin; trees  2. L. brevicalyx

 

1. Lysidice rhodostegia Hance, J. Bot. 5: 299. 1867.

yi hua

Shrubs or small trees, 2–5 m tall, rarely more than 10 m tall. Petiolules short, 2–3 mm; leaflets oblong or ovate-lanceolate, 5–16 Χ 2–6.5 cm, papery, lateral veins subparallel, slender, evident on both surfaces, base rounded, apex caudate-acuminate. Panicles 20–40 cm; rachis, bracts, and bracteoles sparsely puberulous; bracts and bracteoles pink, ovate-oblong or elliptic; bracts 1.2–2.8 Χ 0.5–1.4 cm; bracteoles small, 2–5 mm. Calyx tube 1.2–1.5 cm, much longer than lobes (8–10 mm); lobes dark purplish red, oblong. Petals purplish red, broadly obovate, ca. 1.2 cm (including claw), apex rounded, emarginate. Anthers ca. 4 mm; staminodes usually 4, subulate. Ovary hairy, 6–9-ovuled; style slender, hairy. Pods obovoid-oblong, 12–20 cm, sutures unequal in length, ventral suture longer and curved, dehiscent; valves often spirally twisted. Seeds 2–7, brownish red, oblong, 2.2–2.5 Χ 1.2–1.5 cm, margin not thickened, testa thinner and fragile, surface slightly wrinkled, inside without gelatin. Fl. Jun-Aug, fr. Sep-Nov. 2n = 24*.

Mountain slopes, jungles, in bushes, near roads, along valleys by streams; below 500 m. Guangdong, Guangxi (Longzhou), Guizhou, Yunnan [Vietnam; introduced in tropical Africa, C America, the Caribbean, USA (Florida)].

The roots, stems, and leaves are somewhat toxic, and used medicinally to ease pain and for detumescence, also to relieve pain of rheumatism and arthritis.

2. Lysidice brevicalyx C. F. Wei, Guihaia 3: 12. 1983.

duan e yi hua

Trees 10-20 m tall. Trunk 20–30 cm d.b.h. Leaflets oblong, obovate-oblong or ovate-lanceolate, 6–12 Χ 2–5.5 cm, subleathery, base cuneate or obtuse, apex obtuse or caudate-acuminate. Panicle spreading, 13–20 cm; bracts and bracteoles white, broadly ovate, ovate-oblong, or oblong, bracts 1.5–3.1 cm, bracteoles 0.5–1.5 cm. Calyx tube short, 3–9 mm; lobes oblong to broadly oblong, longer than calyx tube. Petals purple, obovate, 1.6–1.9 cm (including claw), apex subtruncate, emarginate. Anthers 3–4 mm; margin of locules purplish red; staminode 8 or 5 or 6, unequal in length. Ovary villous along sutures, 9–14-ovuled. Pods oblong or obovoid-oblong, 15–26 Χ 3.5–5 cm, base rounded, dorsal and ventral sutures equal or subequal in length, dehiscent; valves flat or slightly twisted. Seeds 7–10, chestnut-brown or grayish green, oblong or obliquely broadly oblong to subglobose, 2–2.8 Χ 1.5–2.2 cm, shiny, margin thickened into a narrowly edged ring; testa crustaceous, inside with a layer of white spongy gelatin, ferruginous red when dry. Fl. Apr-May, fr. Aug-Sep. 2n = 24*.

* Sparse or dense forests, along valleys, by streams; 500–1000 m. Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan.

17. SARACA Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. ed. 12, 2: 469. 1767; Mant. Pl. 1: 98. 1767.

wu you hua shu

Chen Dezhao (Chen Te-chao); Ding Hou

Trees. Leaves abruptly pinnate; leaflets few pairs, leathery; petioles robust, with glandular nodes; stipules 2, usually united to a conical sheath, caducous. Corymbose panicles axillary or terminal; involucre caducous; bracts 1, deciduous or persistent, smaller or larger than bracteoles, hairy or glabrous; bracteoles 2, usually persistent, subopposite, colored. Flowers bisexual or unisexual, yellowish to deep red, with short pedicels. Calyx tubular; tubes elongated, slightly inflated in upper part, with a disc at apex; lobes 4, rarely 5 or 6, petaloid, ovate-oblong, slightly unequal in size, imbricate. Petals absent. Stamens 4–10, all perfect or 1 or 2 reduced, inserted in disc on throat of calyx tube; filaments free, elongated, often reflexed in bud; anthers oblong or suborbicular, dorsifixed, locules opening lengthwise. Ovary compressed, oblong, hairy or glabrous, shortly stipitate, stipe adnate to calyx tube; ovules few to more than 10; style filiform; stigma terminal, capitate. Pods compressed, oblong, slightly curved and oblique, leathery to rather woody, 2-valved. Seeds 1–8, compressed, elliptic to ovoid; testa thin, crustaceous; radicle small, straight.

About 20 species distributed in tropical Asia; two species in China.

1a.    Perfect stamens 4; bracts and bracteoles small, equal in size, not longer than 5 mm, persistent; pedicels articulate ...................................................................................................  1. S. griffithiana

1b.    Stamens 8–10 including 1 or 2 reduced; bracts and bracteoles larger, usually longer than 1 cm, bracts much larger than bracteoles, deciduous or nearly persistent; pedicels not articulate .........  2. S. dives

 

1. Saraca griffithiana Prain, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Pt. 2, Nat. Hist. 66(2): 491. 1897.

yun nan wu you hua

Trees to 18 m tall. Petiolules robust, compressed, 4–6 mm; leaflets 4–6 pairs, oblong or obovate-oblong, 23–36 Χ 6.5–10 cm, papery, midvein robust, raised on both surfaces, lateral veins 11 or 12 pairs, base rounded or cuneate, apex rounded. Inflorescence axillary, with crowded, short branches, forming nearly a sphere ca. 13 cm in diam. at anthesis; peduncles and rachis yellowish green puberulous; bract and bracteoles persistent, ovate, equal in size, ca. 3 mm, ciliate, bracts spreading; bracteoles straight, enclosing the pedicels. Flowers numerous, crowded, with long pedicels, articulate between calyx and apex of pedicels. Calyx tube shorter than pedicels, 1.5–1.8 cm; lobes ovate, ca. 1 cm, apex obtuse or slightly acute. Perfect stamens 4, ca. 3 mm; anthers subovoid, small, 1.5–1.8 mm. Ovary compressed, ca. 7 mm, thin, densely yellowish green puberulous; style ca. 2.8 cm; stigma small. Fruit not seen. Fl.??, fr. unknown.

Dense or sparse forests, mountain slopes, along valleys, by streams; 300–1200 m. W Yunnan (Yingjiang) [Myanmar].

2. Saraca dives Pierre, Fl. Cochinch. 5: t. 386B. 1899.

zhong guo wu you hua

Saraca chinensis Merrill & Chun.

Trees 5–20 m tall. Trunk ca. 25 cm d.b.h. Leaflets 5 or 6 pairs, slightly purplish red when young, pendulous; petiolules 7-12 mm; blades narrowly elliptic, ovate-lanceolate, or narrowly obovate, 15–35 Χ 5–12 cm, subleathery, lateral veins 8–11 pairs, lowest pair often smaller, base cuneate, apex acuminate, acute, or obtuse. Inflorescence axillary, larger; rachis hairy or glabrous; involucre caducous, broadly ovate, large, hairy; bract caducous or late deciduous, ovate, lanceolate, or oblong, 1.5–5 Χ 0.6–2 cm, lowest one largest, gradually smaller upward, hairy or glabrous; bracteoles equal to bracts in shape but much smaller. Flowers bisexual or unisexual, yellow, base of calyx lobes, disc, stamens, and style becoming red. Pedicels shorter than calyx tube, not articulate. Calyx tube 1.5–3 cm; lobes 4(–6), oblong, ciliate. Stamens 8–10 including 1 or 2 often reduced to subulate; filaments exserted; anthers oblong, 3–4 mm. Ovary slightly curved, glabrous or hairy along sutures and stipes. Pods brownish, compressed, 22–30 Χ 5–7 cm, valves twisted. Seeds 5–9, unequal in shape, with a shallow, depressed sulcate at middle of both surfaces. Fl. Apr-May, fr. Jul-Oct.

Dense or sparse forests, river sides, along valleys, by streams; 200–1000 m. Guangdong, SE and SW Guangxi, SE Yunnan [Laos, Vietnam].

A fine parasitifer plant, it can be used for breeding lac insects. The bark is used medicinally for relieving rheumatism and menorrhagia. The flowers are large and showy, often cultivated as an ornamental.

18. AFZELIA J. E. Smith, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 4: 221. 1798, nom. cons.

mian qie shu

Chen Dezhao (Chen Te-chao); Ding Hou

Pahudia Miquel.

Trees. Leaves abruptly pinnate; leaflets in few pairs; stipules caducous, minute. Panicles terminal; bracts and bracteoles deciduous or +/- persistent, ovate, slightly thick, not colored. Flowers bisexual, pedicellate. Calyx tubular, with a disc in throat; lobes 4, slightly unequal in size, leathery, imbricate. Petal 1, suborbicular or reniform, clawed, others rudimentary or absent. Stamens 7 or 8; filaments elongated, base partly united or free; anthers ovate or oblong, opening lengthwise; staminodes 2, very small. Ovary stipitate, stipe adnate to calyx tube; ovules few to numerous; style filiform; stigma subcapitate, small. Pods slightly compressed, oblong or obliquely oblong, woody, thick, 2-valved, transversely septate in between seeds. Seeds ovoid or oblong, with horny aril at base, without endosperm; cotyledons fleshy, +/- flat; embryo straight.

About 14 species distributed in tropical Asia and Africa; one species introduced to China.

1. Afzelia xylocarpa (Kurz) Craib, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1912: 267. 1912.

mian qie

Pahudia xylocarpa Kurz, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Pt. 2, Nat. Hist. 45(2): 290. 1876; Afzelia cochinchinensis (Pierre) Lιonard; P. cochinchinensis Pierre.

Trees 15–25 m tall, sometimes to 40 m tall. Trunk 90 cm d.b.h. Bark brown. Leaflets 3–5 pairs, opposite; petiolules short, less than 5 mm; blades ovate or broadly elliptic to suborbicular, 4–14 Χ 3.5–6 cm, papery, base rounded and slightly oblique, apex rounded or emarginate. Inflorescence densely grayish yellow-green or grayish white puberulous; bracts and bracteoles persistent, ovate or triangular-ovate, equal in size, ca. 6 mm. Calyx tube 1–1.3 cm; lobes elliptic, 1–1.5 cm, apex rounded. Petal pale purple, obovate to suborbicular; claw white villous. Stamens 7, united at base; filaments exserted, 3–3.5 cm, pubescent in lower part. Ovary narrowly oblong, hairy; style elongated and exserted. Pods blackish brown, compressed, oblong, 11–17 Χ 7–8.5 cm, hard. Seeds 2–5, deep brownish red, slightly compressed, ovoid or suborbicular, ca. 2 cm, shiny, with a horny, hard, arillode funicle. Fl. Apr-May, fr. Nov-Dec.

Cultivated in Guangdong (Maoming, Xuwen), Guangxi (Hepu, Nanning), Hainan, Yunnan (Shiping, Xishuanbanna) [Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam].

The seeds are used for carving; also used medicinally for relieving toothaches and eye diseases.

20. SINDORA Miquel, Fl. Ind. Bat. Suppl. 287. 1861 ['1860'].

you nan shu

Chen Dezhao (Chen Te-chao); Ding Hou

Trees. Leaves abruptly pinnate; leaflets 2–10 pairs, leathery; stipules leaflike. Flowers bisexual, in terminal panicles or racemes; bracts and bracteoles caducous, ovate. Calyx tube very short, with disc at base; lobes 4, valvate or margin narrowly imbricate, +/- with soft bristles. Petals 1, rarely 2. Stamens 10: 9 shortly united into a oblique tube, upper stamen free and reduced to an antherless, slightly short staminode; anthers oblong, dorsifixed, opening lengthwise. Ovary 2–5-ovuled, shortly stipitate; style filiform, circinate; stigma small. Pods compressed, usually orbicular or oblong, +/- oblique, large, dehiscent, often shortly prickly on surface of valves, rarely without prickles. Seeds 1 or 2, black, shiny, with a large fleshy aril at base.

About 18-20 species distributed in WC Africa (Gabon) and mostly in SE Asia; two species (one cultivated) in China.

1a.    Calyx lobes outside with soft bristles; pods with disperse, hard and straight prickles  1. S. glabra

1b.    Calyx lobes without bristles; pods smooth, without prickles ........................  2. S. tonkinensis

 

1. Sindora glabra Merrill ex de Wit, Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, ser 3, 18: 46. 1949.

you nan

Trees 8–20 m tall. Trunk 30–60 d.b.h. Leaves 10–20 cm; petiolules ca. 5 mm; leaflets 2–4 pairs, opposite, elliptic-oblong, rarely ovate, 5–10 Χ 2.5–5 cm, lateral veins slender, together with reticulate veinlets obscure, base rounded, slightly oblique, apex obtusely acute or shortly acuminate. Panicles in axils of apical leaves, 15–20 cm, densely yellowish pubescent; bracts ovate, leaflike, 5–7 mm. Pedicels 2–4 mm, with 1 or 2 bracteoles from middle upward, bracteoles linear-lanceolate, 5–6 mm; bracts, pedicels, and bracteoles densely yellowish pubescent. Calyx lobes yellowish pubescent on both surfaces, dimorphic, uppermost one broadly ovate, ca. 5.5 Χ 5 mm, back arcuate, with 21–23 soft bristles; other 3 elliptic-lanceolate, with 6–10 soft bristles. Petal 1, enclosed in uppermost calyx lobe, oblong-orbicular, ca. 5 Χ 2–6 mm, outside densely pubescent, inside glabrous, base subtruncate, obscurely clawed, margin ciliate, apex rounded. Fertile stamens 9, staminal tube ca. 2 mm, both sides adpressed brown strigose, especially inside; anthers subequal in size, 2–3 mm, apex emarginate, sometimes cuspidate. Ovary ca. 3 mm, densely strigose, 4- or 5-ovuled; stipe ca. 0.8 mm; style convolute, glabrous. Pods orbicular or elliptic, 5–8 Χ ca. 5 cm, with dispersed, hard and straight prickles, valves often shed glue when cut. Seed solitary, blackish, spheroidal, ca. 1.8 cm in diam. Fl. Apr-May, fr. Jun-Aug.

* Mixed forests, mountain slopes, river bank; near sea level to 800 m. Fujin, Hainan, Guangdong, Yunnan.

The wood has good qualities, and is used for building houses and making furniture.

2. Sindora tonkinensis A. Chevalier ex K. Larsen & S. S. Larsen, Fl. Cambodge, Laos & Vietnam 18: 122. 1980.

dong jing you nan

Trees to 15 m tall. Branches glabrous. Leaves 10–20 cm, glabrous; stipules caducous; petiolules ca. 5 mm; leaflets 4 or 5 pairs, ovate, narrowly ovate, or elliptic-lanceolate, 6–12 Χ 3.5–6 cm, glabrous, asymmetrical, upper side narrower than lower side, base rounded or broadly cuneate, margin entire, apex acuminate or shortly acuminate. Panicles in axils of apical leaves, 15–20(–30) cm, together with bracteoles, calyx, petal, and ovary densely yellowish pubescent; bracts triangular, 5–10 mm. Pedicels 2–4 mm, with bracteoles 1 or 2 from middle upward; bracteoles elliptic-lanceolate, ca. 5 mm. Calyx lobes 4, outside with bristles, inside densely yellowish hirsute. Petal thick, ca. 8 mm. Filaments of stamens filiform, 1–1.5 cm, densely yellowish pubescent at base; anthers 3–4 mm. Ovary shortly stipitate, without prickles; style convolute, 1–1.5 cm, glabrous. Pods suborbicular or elliptic, 7–10 Χ 4–6 cm, apex beaked, smooth and without prickles. Seeds 2–5, blackish, spheroidal. Fl. May-Jun, fr. Aug-Sep.

Cultivated in Guangdong (Guangzhou) [?Cambodia, Vietnam]