Chen Dezhao (Chen Te-chao)[1]; Kai Larsen[2], Supee S. Larsen[3], Ding Hou[4], Michael A. Vincent[5]
Chen, Te-chao. 1988. Fabaceae Subfam. Caesalpinoideae. In: Chen, Te-chao, ed., Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 39: 74218.
!!add Chinese characters throughout yun shi zu
Leaves abruptly bipinnate or rarely abruptly pinnate. Flowers actinomorphic or zygomorphic. Receptacle discoid. Sepals inserted on margin of receptacle, often unequal, the lowest larger, on outside, hooded or navicular. Petals usually 5, rarely 4, slightly unequal. Stamens free, subequal; anthers basifixed or dorsifixed, opening by lateral slits. Ovary or stipe inserted at base of receptacle; ovules 2 to numerous, rarely one.
About 47 genera; ten genera cultivated and naturalized in China.
fei zuo jia shu
Trees deciduous, unarmed. Branches robust. Leaves abruptly bipinnate; stipules caducous, small. Inflorescences racemes or corymbose panicles, terminal. Flowers whitish, actinomorphic, polygamous or plants dioecious. Receptacle discoid. Sepals 5, subequal, narrow. Petals 4 or 5, slightly longer than sepals, oblong, imbricate, innermost one sometimes absent. Stamens 10, free, shorter than corolla, alternately shorter and longer; filaments thick, slightly villous; anthers dorsifixed, opening by lateral slits. Ovary in male flowers reduced or absent, in female or bisexual flowers sessile, 7- or 8-ovuled; style straight, slightly thick and compressed; stigma oblique. Pod sessile, turgid, subterete, 2-valved, full of pulp inside between seeds. Seeds large; testa leathery; radicle erect, short.
About three or four species distributed in North America and S Asia; one species in China.
??Gymnocladus dioicus (L.) K. Koch (see Fl. Zhejiang)
??Gymnocladus guangxiensis P. C. Huang & Q. W. Yao, J. Nanjing Tech. Coll. For. Prod. 1: 126. 1980.
??Gymnocladus williamsii Hance, J. Bot. 22: 366. 1884.
fei zou jia
Trees 512 m tall. Bark grayish brown, with conspicuous whitish lenticels. Branchlets of current year ferruginous or whitish puberulous, glabrescent. Leaves 2025 cm, without stipules; rachis sulcate, puberulous; pinnae opposite, subopposite, or alternate, 510 pairs; leaflets alternate, 812 pairs, subsessile, with subulate stipules; blades oblong, 2.55 Χ 11.5 cm, both surfaces silky pubescent, both ends rounded, base slightly oblique, apex sometimes emarginate. Racemes puberulous. Flowers polygamous, pendulous, whitish or tinged with purple, long pedicellate. Bracts small or absent. Receptacle deeply concave, 56 mm, puberulous. Sepals subulate, slightly shorter than receptacle. Petals oblong, slightly longer than sepals, hairy, apex obtuse. Filaments pubescent. Ovary sessile, glabrous, 4-ovuled; style short, thick; stigma capitate. Pod oblong, 710 Χ 34 cm, compressed or turgid, glabrous, apex shortly beaked. Seeds 24, blackish, subglobose and slightly compressed, ca. 2 cm in diam., glabrous. Fl.??, fr. Aug. 2n = 28*.
* Slopes, mountain sides, mixed forests, sides of rocks, near villages, beside houses; 1001500 m. Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, ??Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Sichuan, ??Yunnan, Zhejiang.
zue jia shu
Trees or shrubs, deciduous. Trunk and branches usually with stout, simple or branched spines. Leaves alternate, often clustered, simply paripinnate and bipinnate often on same plant; rachis of leaves and pinnae sulcate; leaflets numerous, subopposite or alternate, base oblique or subsymmetrical, margin serrulate or crenate, rarely entire; stipules caducous, small. Inflorescences axillary, rarely terminal, spikes or racemes, rarely panicles. Flowers polygamous or plants dioecious, light green or greenish white. Receptacle campanulate, outside pubescent. Calyx 35-lobed; lobes subequal. Petals 35, slightly unequal, ca. as long as or slightly longer than calyx lobes. Stamens 610, exserted, slightly flat, broad, with crisped hairs from middle downward; anthers dorsifixed. Ovary sessile or shortly stipitate; ovules one to numerous; style short; stigma terminal. Pod ovoid or elliptic, flat or subterete.
About 16 species: C and SE Asia, and North and South America; six species in China (three endemic).
??Gleditsia caspica Desf., Hist. Arb. France 2: 247. 1809.
??Gleditsia heterophylla Bunge, Mem. Sav. Etr. Petersb. 2: 95. 1835 (see Fls. Henan, Shanxi)
??Gleditsia japonica var. stenocarpa (Nakai) Nakai, J. Jap. Bot. 27: 130. 1952.
??Gleditsia medogensis Z. C. Ni, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 25: 231 1987.
??Gleditsia rolfei Vidal, Revis. Pl. Vasc. Filip. 115. 1886 (see Fl. Taiwan)
??Gleditsia xylocarpa Hance, J. Bot. 22: 366. 1884.
1a. Leaflets 624 mm, margin entire, upper leaflets smaller than those in lower part; pod 36 cm, with 13 seeds 1. G. microphylla
1b. Leaflets more than 25 mm, margin irregularly serrate; pod more than 6 cm, with numerous seeds.
2a. Pod densely yellowish green velutinous ....................................................... 6. G. japonica
2b. Pod glabrous or puberulous.
3a. Leaflets obliquely oblong or rhomboid-lanceolate, midvein conspicuous at base; calyx lobes and petals 5; stamens 10; ovary densely silky.
4a. Leaves pinnate or bipinnate; leaflets with reticulate veinlets adaxially obscure; racemes often comprising panicles; pod 612 cm, swollen opposite seeds ................... 2. G. australis
4b. Leaves pinnate; leaflets with reticulate veinlets conspicuously raised; racemes simple; pod 13.526 cm, not swollen opposite seeds ....................................................................... 3. G. fera
3b. Leaflets ovate, ovate-lanceolate, or oblong, midvein at middle or slightly oblique; calyx lobes and petals 3 or 4; stamens 68(or 9); ovary not silky.
5a. Leaflets 1118 pairs, elliptic-lanceolate, apex acute; ovary hoary ..... 4. G. triacanthos
5b. Leaflets 310 pairs, ovate or elliptic, apex obtuse or emarginate; ovary glabrous or only sutures and base pubescent.
6a. Spines terete; leaflets with reticulate veinlets adaxially conspicuously raised, margin densely finely serrate; ovary pubescent at base and along sutures; pod thick, not twisted, straight, or curved 5. G. sinensis
6b. Spines flat at least at base; leaflets with reticulate veinlets obscure, margin entire or sparsely, shallowly crenate; ovary glabrous; pod flat, irregularly twisted or curved, falcate 6. G. japonica
ye zao jia
Shrubs or small trees, 24 m tall. Branches grayish white to light brown; young branchlets puberulous, glabrescent when old. Spines not robust, long needle-like, 1.56.5 cm, with few, short branches. Leaves pinnate or bipinnate (pinnae 24 pairs) 716 cm; petiolules short, ca. 1 mm, puberulous; leaflets 512 pairs, obliquely ovate to oblong, 624 Χ 310 cm, thinly leathery, upper leaflets much smaller than lower ones, abaxially puberulous, adaxially glabrous, veins obscure on both surfaces, base oblique, broadly cuneate, margin entire, apex rounded. Flowers polygamous, greenish white, subsessile, fascicled, in spikes or terminal panicles. Inflorescence 512 cm, puberulous; bracts 3, lowest one lanceolate, ca. 1.5 mm, upper two ovate, ca. 1 mm, pubescent. Male flowers: ca. 5 mm in diam.; receptacle ca. 1.5 mm.; sepals 3 or 4, lanceolate, 2.53 mm; petals 3 or 4, ovate-oblong, ca. 3 mm, as are the calyx lobes puberulous outside, villous inside; stamens 68. Bisexual flowers: ca. 4 mm in diam.; calyx lobes 4, triangular-lanceolate, 1.52 mm, both sides puberulous; petals 4, ovate-oblong, ca. 2 mm, outside puberulous, inside villous; stamens 4, opposite to sepals; ovary long stipitate, glabrous, 13-ovuled. Pod reddish brown to deep brown, flat, thin, obliquely elliptic or obliquely oblong, 36 Χ 12 cm, glabrous, with slender beak at apex; stipe 12 cm. Seeds 13, brownish, compressed, ovoid or oblong, 710 Χ 67 mm, smooth. Fl. JunJul, fr. JulOct.
* Sunny slopes, roadsides; 1001300 m. Anhui, ??Guizhou, Hebei, Henan, Jiangsu, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi.
xiao guo zao jia
Gleditsia microcarpa Metcalf.
Trees 320 m tall. Branches brownish gray, with robust spines. Spines brownish purple, conical, 35 cm, branched. Leaves pinnate or bipinnate (pinnae 26 pairs), 1018 cm; petiolules ca. 1 mm; leaflets 59 pairs, obliquely elliptic to rhomboid-oblong, 2.54 Χ 12 cm, papery to thinly leathery, abaxially glabrous, adaxially shiny and slightly puberulous on veins, reticulate veinlets slightly lax, obscure, base obliquely acute or obliquely cuneate, margin obtusely serrate or subentire, apex rounded, often emarginate. Flowers polygamous, pale green or greenish white; pedicels 12.5 mm. Male flowers: 45 mm in diam., several fascicled or in cymules, cymules in dense racemes again, several racemes comprising a panicle to 28 cm, puberulous, axillary or terminal; sepals 5, lanceolate, ca. as long as receptacle, outside densely puberulous. Petals 5, elliptic, ca. 2 mm, outside densely puberulous, inside pubescent. Inflorescence of bisexual flowers as male inflorescence, with scattered flowers. Bisexual flowers: 79 mm in diam.; calyx tube ca. 2 mm, glabrous; lobes 5 or 6, lanceolate, ca. 3 mm, outside puberulous, inside as are the petals densely light brown crisped pubescent. Petals 5 or 6, elliptic, outside velutinous. Stamens 5, not exserted. Ovary sessile, densely light brown silky. Pod subsessile, brownish black when dry, compressed, strap-shaped, (4)612 Χ 1-2.5 cm, straight or slightly curved, valve leathery, conspicuously swollen opposite the seeds, apex mucronate. Seeds 512, deep brown to brownish black, slightly compressed, elliptic to oblong, 711 Χ 45 mm, smooth. Fl. JunOct, fr. NovApr.
Gentle slopes, mountain valleys, in forests, near roads, by streams, sunny places; ??elevation. Guangdong, Guangxi [Vietnam].
hua nan zao jia
Mimosa fera Loureiro, Fl. Cochinch. 2: 652. 1790; Gleditsia formosana Hayata; G. thorelii Gagnepain.
Trees 324 m tall. Branches grayish brown. Spines robust, branched, terete at base, to 13 cm. Leaves pinnate, 1118 cm; rachis sulcate, glabrous or pilose; petiolules ca. 1 mm; leaflets 59 pairs, obliquely elliptic to rhomboid-oblong, 27(12) Χ 13(5) cm, papery to thinly leathery, abaxially glabrous, adaxially deep brown, shiny, glabrous or sometimes pubescent on midvein, midvein inclined to one side at base of blade, reticulate veinlets crowded, slender, conspicuously raised, base obliquely cuneate or rounded and oblique, margin crenate, sometimes shallowly, obtusely serrate, apex rounded and emarginate. Flowers polygamous, greenish white, several in cymules, the latter in axillary or terminal, 716 cm racemes. Male flowers: 67 mm in diam.; receptacle ca. 2.5 mm; sepals 5, triangular-lanceolate, 2.53 mm, outside densely puberulous. Petals 5, oblong, both sides puberulous; stamens 10; rudimentary pistil linear-terete, 45 mm, villous. Bisexual flowers: 810 mm in diam.; calyx and petals similar to those of male flowers, but calyx with a villous ring inside at base; stamens 5 or 6; anthers acute at apex; ovary densely brownish yellow silky, many ovuled. Pod compressed, 13.526(41) Χ 2.53(6.5) cm, straight or slightly curved, occasionally twisted, valves leathery, densely brownish yellow puberulous when young, glabrescent and becoming deep brown to blackish brown when old, apex with beak 25 mm; stipe 510 mm. Seeds numerous, brown to blackish brown, compressed or lenticular, ovoid to oblong, 811(14) Χ 56(11) mm, smooth. Fl. AprMay, fr. JunDec.
* Gentle slopes, mountain valleys, forests, beside villages, near roads, sunny places, occasionally cultivated; 3001000 m. Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, ??Guizhou, ??Hainan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Taiwan, ??Yunnan.
The fruit contains saponin that can be used as soap and as an insecticide.
mei guo zao jia
Trees or small trees, to 45 m tall. Bark grayish black, 12 cm thick, with deep cracks and narrow, long ridges. Branchlets deep brown, rough, slightly sulcate, with small, orbicular lenticels. Spines deep brown, slightly flat, robust, often branched, 2.510 cm, rarely branchlets unarmed. Leaves pinnate or bipinnate (pinnae 414 pairs), 1122 cm; petiolules ca. 1 mm, pubescent; leaflets 1118 pairs, elliptic-lanceolate, 1.53.5 cm Χ 48 mm, papery, abaxially yellowish green, puberulous on midvein, adaxially dark green, shiny, glabrous, base cuneate or slightly rounded and oblique, margin sparsely undulate-dentate, apex acute, sometimes slightly obtuse. Flowers yellowish green. Pedicels 12 mm. Male flowers: 67 mm in diam., solitary or several clustered in racemes; inflorescences terminal or often several fascicled in axils of leaves, 513 cm, puberulous; receptacle ca. 2 mm; sepals 2 or 3, lanceolate, 22.5 mm; petals 3 or 4, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, ca. 2.5 mm, as are the sepals puberulous on both surfaces. Stamens 69. Female flowers: in slender, few flowered racemes, racemes solitary and ca. as long as male inflorescence; ovary hoary. Pod compressed, strap-shaped, 3050 cm, falcately curved or irregularly twisted, valves thin and rough, dark brown, pilose. Seeds numerous, compressed, ovoid or elliptic, ca. 8 mm, divided by thick pulp. Fl. AprJun, fr. OctDec. 2n = 28.
Along streams on moist sites, fertile soil; ??elevation. Jiangsu (Shanghai, cultivated) [native to the Americas].
Cultivated in temperate regions as an ornamental, used as wayside trees and hedges. The wood is durable, and used for buildings and for props.
zao jia
Gleditsia horrida Willdenow; G. macracantha Desfontaines; G. officinalis Hemsley.
Trees or small trees, to 30 m tall. Branches grayish to deep brown. Spines robust, terete, conical, to 16 cm, often branched. Leaves pinnate, 1018(26) cm; petiolules 12(5) mm, puberulous; leaflets (2 or)39 pairs, ovate-lanceolate to oblong, 28.5(12.5) Χ 14(6) cm, papery, abaxially slightly pubescent on midvein, adaxially puberulous, reticulate veinlets conspicuously raised on both surfaces, base rounded or cuneate, sometimes slightly oblique, margin serrate, apex acute or acuminate, tip rounded, mucronate. Flowers polygamous, yellowish white, in axillary or terminal, 514 cm, puberulous racemes. Male flowers: 910 mm in diam.; pedicels 28(10) mm; receptacle deep brown, 2.53 mm, outside pubescent; sepals 4, triangular-lanceolate, ca. 3 mm, both sides pubescent; petals 4, oblong, 45 mm, puberulous; stamens (6)8; rudimentary pistil ca. 2.5 mm. Bisexual flowers: 1012 mm in diam.; pedicels 25 mm; sepals and petals similar to those of the male flowers but longer; stamens 8; ovary hairy at base and on sutures; ovules numerous; stigma 2-lobed. Pod brown or reddish brown, curved, strap-shaped, 1237 Χ 24 cm, straight or twisted, with slightly thick pulp, swollen on both surfaces, some of the pods shorter and smaller, ± terete, 513 Χ 11.5 cm, without seeds; stipe 13.5 cm; valves leathery, often farinose. Seeds numerous, brown, oblong or elliptic, 1113 Χ 89 mm, shiny. Fl. MarMay, fr. MayDec. 2n = 28*.
* Mountain slopes, forests, valleys, near roads; 2002500 m. Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, ??Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang.
Specimens from Sichuan called "zhu ya zao" named as Gleditsia officinalis, with curved, small fruit without seeds are an abnormal type and are referable to this species.
shan zao jia
Trees or small trees, to 25 m tall. Branchlets purplish brown or grayish green when bark falls off, slightly ribbed, with scattered whitish lenticels, smooth and glabrous. Spines purplish brown to brownish black, slightly flat, robust, 215.5 cm, often branched. Leaves pinnate or bipinnate (pinnae 26 pairs), 1125 cm; petiolules very short; leaflets 310 pairs, ovate-oblong or ovate-lanceolate to oblong, 27(9) Χ 13(4) cm (leaflets of bipinnate leaves obviously smaller), papery to thickly papery, abaxially puberulous on midvein and at base, glabrescent when old, adaxially puberulous or glabrous, slightly scabrous, sometimes shiny, reticulate veinlets obscure, base broadly cuneate or rounded, slightly oblique, margin entire or repand-crenate, apex rounded, sometimes emarginate. Flowers yellowish green, in axillary or terminal, puberulous spikes. Male inflorescence 820 cm; female inflorescence 516 cm. Male flowers: 56 mm in diam.; receptacle deep brown, ca. 1.5 mm, outside densely brown puberulous; sepals 3 or 4, triangular-lanceolate, ca. 2 mm, both surfaces pubescent; petals 4, elliptic, ca. 2 mm, pubescent; stamens 68(or 9). Female flowers: 58(9) mm in diam.; receptacle ca. 2 mm; sepals and petals 4 or 5, similar to those of male flowers in shape, ca. 3 mm, both surfaces densely pubescent; staminodes 48; ovary glabrous, ovules numerous; style short, incurved; stigma inflated, 2-lobed. Pod brown or brownish black, compressed, strap-shaped, 2054 Χ 27 cm, irregularly twisted or falcate, apex with beak 515 mm; stipe 1.53.5(5) cm; valves leathery, often bullate, glabrous or velutinous, shiny. Seeds numerous, deep brown, elliptic, 910 Χ 57 mm, smooth. Fl.??, fr.?? 2n = 28*.
Sunny slopes, valleys, streamsides, near roads, forests; 1002500 m. Anhui, ??Fujian, Guizhou, Hebei, Henan, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Liaoning, Shandong, ??Shanxi, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Japan, Korea].
1a. Pod densely yellowish green velutinous ......................................................... 6b. var. velutina
1b. Pod glabrous.
2a. Pod 2035 Χ 24 cm, female flowers 56 mm in diam. ............................ 6a. var. japonica
2b. Pod 3054 Χ 4.57 cm; female flowers 78(9) in diam. .......................... 6c. var. delavayi
shan zao jia (yuan bian zhong)
Fagara horrida Thunberg; Gleditsia melanacantha [??initials] Tang & Wang.
Female flowers 56 mm in diam. Pod 2035 Χ 24 cm, glabrous.
Sunny slopes, valleys, streamsides, near roads; 1001000m. Anhui, Hebei, Henan, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Liaoning, Shandong, Zhejiang [Japan, Korea].
This species is commonly cultivated in China. The wood is durable, the heartwood with a beautiful pink color, and can be used for prop, carpentry work and building; the seeds are used medicinally; the young leaves are edible.
rong mao zao jia
Gleditsia horrida subsp. velutina (L. C. Li) Paclt; G. vestita W. Y. Chun & F. C. How ex B. G. Li.
Pod densely yellowish green velutinous.
* Mountain slopes, open forests, near roads; ca. 1000 m. Hunan (Hengshan).
dian zao jia
Gleditsia delavayi Franchet, Pl. Delavay. 189. 1890; G. horrida subsp. delavayi (Franchet) Paclt [standardized form??].
Female flowers 78(9) mm in diam. Pod 3054 Χ 4.57 cm, glabrous.
* Mountain slopes in forests, beside villages, near roads; 12002500 m. Guizhou, Yunnan.
Occasionally cultivated.
Chinese characters?? ding guo shu shu
Chen Dezhao (Chen Te-chao); Ding Hou
Trees buttressed, to 50 m tall or more, 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. Pod 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.
ding guo shu
Acrocarpus fraxinifolius var. guangxiensis S. L. Mo & Y. Wei.
Trees large, to 30 m tall before it forks. Leaves 3040 cm, lower leaves with 38 pairs of pinnae, leaves at apices of branches pinnate; rachis of leaves and of pinnae yellowish brown puberulous, glabrescent; leaflets 48 pairs, ovate or ovate-oblong, 713 Χ 47 cm, subleathery, lateral veins 812 pairs, base slightly oblique, broadly cuneate or rounded, margin entire, apex acuminate or acute. Racemes axillary, 2025 cm, densely flowered; rachis pubescent at apex. Flowers erect at first, drooping later, scarlet, large. Pedicels 68 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. Pod purplish brown, flat, 815 Χ 12 cm, narrowly winged along ventral suture; wing 35 mm wide. Seeds 1418, light brown. 2n = 24*.
Sparse forests; 10001200 m. Guangxi, Yunnan [Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand; tropical Africa (introduced in Tanzania and Uganda)].
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. Pod compressed, lanceolate-oblong, rarely elongated, indehiscent, veined at middle, with broad wing on each suture. Seeds 28, 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; pod 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; pod not veined at middle of valve when mature ...................................................................... 2. P. tonkinense
dun zhu mu
Inga pterocarpa A. P. 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 415 m tall. Young shoots, petioles, and inflorescence ferruginous hairy; old branches with yellowish, small lenticels. Leaves 3042 cm; petioles robust; rachis 2535 cm; pinnae 715 pairs, opposite, 812 cm; leaflets (7)1021 pairs, crowded together, blades oblong-obovate, 1.21.7 cm Χ 57 mm, leathery, abaxially pale green, adaxially deep green, base oblique, margin entire, apex rounded, mucronate. Panicles terminal or axillary, densely ferruginous puberulous; bracts caducous, 58 mm. Pedicels ca. 5 mm, ca. as long as flower buds, 57 mm from one another. Flower buds globose, 58 mm in diam. Sepals ovate, 58 Χ 47 mm, outside ferruginous tomentose. Petals obovate, 1.51.7 cm Χ 810 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. Pod winged, compressed, fusiform, narrowed to both ends, longitudinally veined at middle part; wings 45 mm wide. Seeds 24. 2n = 26.
Cultivated in Guangdong (Guangzhou), Guangxi, Yunnan [Bhutan (cultivated), India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam; Australia, N Oceania; introduced in E Africa and many other tropical countries].
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 1220 m tall. Young parts and inflorescence densely ferruginous hairy, glabrescent; old branches with small ferruginous lenticels. Leaves 1535 cm; rachis 825 cm; petiole robust, 315 cm; pinnae 613 pairs, opposite as leaflets; rachis 49 cm, sulcate, inflated at base; leaflets 514 pairs, oblong, 1.52 Χ 0.61 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, 810 cm. Flowers fragrant, yellowish, large. Pedicels 11.5 cm, ferruginous hairy. Receptacle discoid. Sepals subequal, oblong, 89 mm, lowest one narrower. Petals obovate-orbicular, ca. 1.5 cm, clawed, margin undulate, ferruginous villous on 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, 23 Χ as long as ovary; stigma capitate. Pod reddish brown, fusiform, 813 cm, 2.53 cm at middle part, thinly leathery, asymmetrical at both ends, acuminate, hairy at first, smooth and glabrous when old, winged on both sides; wings 57 mm wide. Seeds 3 or 4, yellowish when mature, compressed, obliquely obovoid, ca. 14 Χ 6 mm. Fl. MarJul, fr. AprOct.
Sparse forests, mountain slopes; 300400 m. Fujian, Hainan. [Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam].
feng huang mu shu
Trees unarmed. Leaves large, abruptly bipinnate, stipulate; pinnae many pairs; leaflets numerous, small. Inflorescences corymbose racemes, terminal. Flowers bisexual, white, orange, or red, large, showy. Bracts caducous, small. Receptacle discoid or turbinate. Sepals 5, obovate, subequal, valvate. Petals 5, alternating with sepals, orbicular, margin crispate, clawed. Stamens 10, free, declinate. Ovary sessile, ovules numerous; style filiform; stigma truncate. Pod pendulous, compressed, strap-shaped, 2-valved; valves thickly woody, hard. Seeds transverse, oblong.
About two or three species: from E Africa and Madagascar to tropical Asia; one species (cultivated) in China.
feng huang mu
Poinciana regia Bojer ex Hooker, Curtiss Bot. Mag. t. 2884. 1829.
Trees deciduous, large, to 20 m tall. Bark grayish brown, rough; crown hemispherical. Branches numerous, spreading; branchlets puberulous, with conspicuous lenticels. Leaves 2060 cm; stipules in lower part conspicuously pinnatipartite, in upper part setiform; petiole 712 cm, glabrous to puberulous, sulcate, inflated at base; petiolules short; pinnae opposite, 1520 pairs, 510 cm; leaflets 25 pairs, crowded, opposite, oblong, 48 Χ 34 mm, midvein conspicuous, both surfaces silky, base oblique, margin entire, apex obtuse. Corymbose racemes terminal or axillary. Flowers bright red to orange-red, 710 cm in diam.; pedicels 410 cm. Receptacle discoid or shortly turbinate. Sepals reddish inside, margin greenish yellow. Petals reflexed after anthesis, red, tinged with yellow and white spotted, spatulate, 57 Χ 3.74 cm; claw long, ca. 2 mm, slender. Stamens curved upward, red, unequal in length, 36 cm; filaments thick, woolly in lower part; anthers red, ca. 5 mm. Ovary ca. 1.3 cm; stigma small. Pod dark reddish brown, blackish brown when mature, slightly curved, 3060 Χ 3.55 cm, apex with persistent style. Seeds 2040, yellowish tinged with brown spots, ca. 15 Χ 7 mm, smooth, hard. Fl. JunJul, fr. AugOct.
Cultivated in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Taiwan, Yunnan [native to Madagascar, often cultivated in the tropics].
This species is widely cultivated in botanical gardens and city parks in S China as an ornamental tree. The resin is soluble in water. The wood is light, soft, and springy, with a special grain, is used for craft materials.
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 17-ovuled; style terete; stigma truncate or hollow at center. Pod compressed or swollen, ovoid, oblong, or lanceolate, sometimes falcate, winged or not, smooth or spiny, leathery or woody, 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. Leaflets 2 pairs per pinna.
2a. Leaflets glabrous, ovate-lanceolate, 2.53 cm wide, apex acuminate ... 18 C. yunnanensis
2b. Lealets abaxially hairy or on midvein.
3a. Leaflets elliptic, 4.58 cm wide, apex rounded, rarely obtuse ........... 19. C. elliptifolia
3b. Leaflets ovate-lanceolate, 2.53.5 cm wide, apex acuminate, acute or obtuse 6. C. sinnensis
1b. Leaflets 330 pairs per pinna.
4a. Pedicels 4.57 cm; filaments 56 cm ................................................ 12. C. pulcherrima
4b. Pedicels less than 4 cm; filaments less than 2 cm.
5a. Leaflets 415 Χ 2.57 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 leathery.
9a. Pinnae 816 pairs; leaflets usually ovate-lanceolate, 1.22.5 cm Χ 612 mm, abaxially sparsely velutinous, apex acute ................................................ 8. C. vernalis
9b. Pinnae 2 or 3, sometimes 4, pairs; leaflets ovate or elliptic, 36 Χ 1.53 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, 1230 pairs per pinna; ovary 4- or 5-ovuled 14. C. tortuosa
12b. Leaflets usually oblong.
13a. Pedicels 34 cm; leaflets 812 pairs per pinna, puberulous on both surfaces; ovary 810-ovuled ....................................................... 11. C. decapetala
13b. Pedicels much shorter, 1.22 cm.
14a. Leaflets pilose, or ferruginous hairy or pubuscent on both surfaces.
15a. Leaflets 1520 pairs per pinna ........................... 4. C. millettii
15b. Leaflets 59 per pinna.
16a. Leaflets 5 or 6 pairs per pinna, 1520 Χ ca. 10 mm; ovary 57-ovuled 17. C. hymnocarpa
16b. Leaflets 79 pairs per pinna, 69 Χ ca. 3 mm; ovary 24-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 14 cm, without bristles; ovary 38-ovuled.
18a. Leaflets with apex shortly acuminate; petals white, tinged with purple spots, ca. 18 mm ...................................................... 2. C. minax
18b. Leaflets with apex retuse or obtuse-rounded; petals yellow, 89 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. Pod winged, wings 510 mm wide (Subgen. II. Mezoneuron).
2a. Leaflets usually more than 4 cm; pinnae usually 25 pairs; petals smooth, glabrous, inner one broad and short, shortly clawed; pod samara-like, oblong, zygomorphic, 1-seeded at central part 15. C. cucullata
2b. Leaflets usually not more than 2.5 cm; pinnae usually 610 pairs; petals hairy, inner one with long claw; pod 37-seeded.
3a. Leaflets glabrous; seeds swollen-ridged at middle; pod 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. Pod wingless or narrowly winged; wing less than 5 mm wide (Subgen. I. Caesalpinia).
4a. Pod fleshy, indehiscent.
5a. Rachis of leaves 1723 cm; pinnae 36 cm; leaflets adaxially hairy, not shiny 13. C. digyna
5b. Rachis of leaves 3040 cm; pinnae 516 cm; leaflets adaxially glabrous or shortly hairy, shiny 14. C. tortuosa
4b. Pod not fleshy.
6a. Pod spiny or bristly.
7a. Pod obovoid, falcate, setose, 45 Χ ca. 1 cm, much longer than wide, 1- or 2-seeded 3. C. mimosoides
7b. Pod oblong, spiny.
8a. Stipules large, leaflike, parted or lobed; bracts subulate; petals yellow; pod 57 Χ 45 cm, ca. as long as wide; seeds subglobose ..................................................... 1. C. bonduc
8b. Stipules subulate; bracts elliptic; petals whitish, tinged with red spots; pod 7.513 Χ 44.5 cm; seeds terete .................................................................................... 2. C. minax
6b. Pod without spines and setae.
9a. Pod ovoid, elliptic, +/- oblong, or lanceolate-oblong.
10a. Leaflets abaxially farinose-brown when dry; pod leathery, ovoid or elliptic, ventral sutures narrowly winged, apex without beak, 1-seeded ............................... 9. C. caesia
10b. Leaflets abaxially not farinose-brown.
11a. Pod oblong-ligulate, or oblanceolate-oblong, 69-seeded or more; pedicels 3.57 cm.
12a. Climbers with copious
prickles; pod oblong-ligulate, 2.53 cm wide, narrowly winged along
ventral suture, dehiscent ...................................... 11. C.
decapetala
12b. Small trees, without or
scattered with sparse prickles; pod lanceolate-oblong, 1.52 cm wide,
indehiscent, not winged along ventral suture ....... 12. C. pulcherrima
11b. Pod suboblong, oblong to elliptic, or oblong-obovoid 14-seeded; pedicels to ca. 2 cm.
13a. Leaflets 1017 pairs per pinna, papery, 1020 Χ 57 mm; pod woody 10. C. sappan
13b. Leaflets 2 pairs per pinna, leathery, 60130 Χ 2580 mm; pod leathery.
14a. Leaflets 2.53 cm wide, glabrous, apex acuminate; pod dehiscent 18. C. yunnanensis
14b. Leaflets 4.58 cm wide, brown hairy on abaxial surface, apex rounded, or obtuse; pod indehiscent ................................................................ 19. C. elliptifolia
9b. Pod compressed-suborbicular, ± obliquely broadly ovoid or obliquely oblong.
15a. Leaflets 713 mm; pod leathery, winged along ventral suture ......... 4. C. millettii
15b. Leaflets 15150 mm.
16a. Leaflets 610 pairs, ovate-lanceolate, apex acuminate, abaxially glaucous; young shoots densely ferruginous pubescent; uppermost petals smaller, revolute 8. C. vernalis
16b. Leaflets 26 pairs, elliptic, ovate, oblong, or broadly ovate; pod with conspicuous reticulate veins.
17a. Pod woody; leaflets to 15 cm ................................... 5. C. magnifoliolata
17b. Pod leathery; leaflets not more than 9 cm.
18a. Apices of leaflets acuminate; pod with wings ca. 3 mm wide, along ventral sutures 6. C. sinensis
18b. Apices of leaflets obtuse-rounded, sometimes emarginate, rarely acute; pod not winged or wings obscure.
19a. Leaflets 46 pairs per pinna, ovate or elliptic, 36 Χ 1.53 cm 7. C. crista
19b. Leaflets 3 or 4 pairs per pinna, slightly rhomboidal, 1.52 Χ 812 mm 20. C. rhombifolia
ci huo su mu
Guilandina bonduc Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 381. 1753; Caesalpinia bonducella (Linnaeus) Fleming.
Prickly climbers, yellowish pubescent throughout. Prickles straight or somewhat recurved. Leaves 3045 cm; rachis with recurved prickles; pinnae 69 pairs, opposite; stipules deciduous, large, leaflike, usually lobed, lobes to 2 cm; leaflets 612 pairs, oblong, 1.54 Χ 1.22 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, 68 mm, pubescent. Pedicels 35 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. Pod oblong, 57 Χ 45 cm, leathery, apex rounded and with beak, swollen, with dense, slender spines 510 mm. Seeds 2 or 3, grayish, ovoid to globose, shiny. Fl. Feb, JulOct, fr. OctMay.
Thickets, roadsides, near seashore; near sea level to 200 m. Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan,Taiwan [pantropical].
hui jia yun shi
Caesalpinia morsei Dunn.
Prickly climbers, puberulous throughout. Leaves to 45 cm; stipules subulate, hard; pinnae 58 pairs; leaflets 612 pairs, elliptic or oblong, 24 Χ 1.11.7 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. Pod oblong, 7.513 Χ 44.5 cm, densely spiny, apex obtuse-rounded, with beak 525 mm. Seeds 48, elliptic, slightly concave on one side, ca. 1.8 Χ 1 cm, with cyclic veins. Fl. MarMay, Jul, Sep, Nov; fr. AprDec.
Mountain valleys, by streams, in bushes; 501500 m. Fujian (cultivated), Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan [India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam].
han xiu yun shi
Woody climbers. Branchlets densely ferruginous glandular hairy, with recurved prickles. Leaves 2236 cm; pinnae opposite, 1323 pairs, ca. 3.5 cm; leaflets opposite, 714 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, 1.52 cm in upper part and 33.5 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 1.41.5 cm, pilose; stigma truncate. Pod obovoid, falcate, 45 Χ ca. 2.5 cm, setose, dehiscent. Seeds 1 or 2, oblong. Fl. NovDec, fr. FebMar.
In bushes, near roads; 600700 m. Yunnan (Xishuangbanna) [Bangladesh, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam].
xiao ye yun shi
Pterolobium subvestitum Hance.
Prickly climbers, ferruginous puberulous throughout. Leaves 1920 cm; rachis with recurved prickles in pairs; pinnae 712 pairs; leaflets 1520 pairs, alternate, oblong, 713 Χ 45 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. Pod 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. AugSep, fr. Apr, SepDec.
* In bushes, foothills, by streams; 200800 m. Guangdong, Guangxi, S Hunan, S Jiangxi.
da ye yun shi
Prickly climbers. Branchlets ferruginous puberulous. Leaves with pinnae 2 or 3 pairs; petioles and petiolules puberulous; leaflets 46 pairs, oblong, 415 Χ 2.57 cm, leathery, abaxially puberulous, adaxially glabrous, shiny, both ends obtuse-rounded or apex very obtuse. Racemes axillary or panicles terminal. Flowers yellow; pedicels 910 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. Pod compressed, suborbicular, 3.54 Χ ca. 3.5 cm, dorsal suture extending to both sides and forming a carinate narrow wing; valves brown, woody, with robust reticulate veins. Seed solitary, brownish black, compressed-suborbicular, ca. 2 cm in diam. Fl. Feb, Apr, Jul; fr. MayJun, Aug, OctNov.
* Forest, bushes; 4001800 m. Guangdong, Guangxi, S Guizhou, S Yunnan.
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, 69 Χ 2.53.5 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. Pod 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. MarMay, fr. MarApr, JulOct.
Forests, bushes; 100900 m. Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Yunnan [Laos, Myanmar, N Vietnam].
hua nan yun shi
Caesalpinia kwangtungensis Merrill; C. nuga (Linnaeus) Aiton; C. szechuenensis Craib; Guilandina nuga Linnaeus.
Woody climbers, to 10 m tall. Bark blackish, with few recurved prickles. Leaves 2030 cm; rachis with blackish recurved prickles; pinnae 2 or 3, or sometimes 4 pairs, opposite; leaflets 46 pairs, opposite, with short petiolules, ovate or elliptic, 36 Χ 1.53 cm, leathery, both surfaces glabrous, adaxially shiny, base broadly cuneate or obtuse, apex obtuse-rounded, sometimes emarginate, rarely acute. Racemes 1020 cm, arranged in terminal, lax, large panicles. Flowers fragrant; pedicels 515 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. Pod obliquely ovoid, 34 Χ 23 cm, swollen, leathery, reticulate, apex beaked. Seed solitary, compressed. Fl. AprJul, fr. JulDec. 2n = 24.
Mountain slopes, forests; 4001500 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].
chun yun shi
Prickly climbers, ferruginous velutinous throughout. Leaves with 2530 cm, pubescent, prickly rachis; pinnae 816 pairs, 58 cm; petiolules 1.52 mm; leaflets 610 pairs, ovate-lanceolate, ovate, or elliptic, 1.22.5 cm Χ 612 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 79 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. Pod blackish purple, obliquely oblong, 46 Χ 2.53.5 cm, woody, 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.
* Moist sandy soil, beside rocks along valleys, thickets; ca. 600 m. S Fujian, Guangdong, S Zhejiang.
fen te su mu
Caesalpinia hypoglauca Chun & F. C. How.
Climbers. Branchlets with sparse recurved prickles, puberulous. Leaves 1520 cm; pinnae 58 pairs; rachis of leaves and pinnae pilose; leaflets 812 pairs, opposite, dispersed, subsessile, blades oblong, 815 Χ 46 mm, papery, both surfaces glabrous, abaxially farinose-brown when dry, adaxially brown, shiny, base obliquely truncate, apex truncate or obtuse-rounded, emarginate. Panicles axillary, 1015 cm, brown puberulous. Pedicels 47 mm, jointed at apex. 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, 3.54 mm. Petals obovate-oblong, 3.54 mm, pubescent, shortly clawed. Stamens 10; filaments ferruginous pilose at base. Ovary elliptic, glabrous, 2-ovuled Pod blackish when dry, ovoid or elliptic, ca. 5 Χ 2.33 cm, thin, swollen at maturity, concave, ventral suture narrowly winged, 1-seeded. Fl. JulSep, fr. Aug.
* Sparse forests along rivers; 2001000 m. Guangxi, Hainan.
su mu
Trees small, to 6 m tall, ± puberulous except on old branches and pods. Branches with dense, conspicuous lenticels. Leaves 3045 cm; pinnae 713 pairs, opposite, 812 cm; leaflets 1017 pairs, closely spaced, sessile, blades oblong to oblong-rhomboid, 12 cm Χ 57 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, 36-ovuled; style slender, hairy; stigma truncate. Pod reddish brown, slightly compressed, suboblong to oblong-obovoid, ca. 7 Χ 3.5-4 cm, woody, shiny, attenuate to base, apex obliquely truncate, upper margin with a sharp beak. Seeds 3 or 4, light brown, slightly compressed, oblong. Fl. MayOct, fr. JulMar. 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.
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 2030 cm; pinnae 310 pairs, opposite, with prickles in pairs at base; stipules obliquely ovate, apex acuminate, caducous; leaflets 812 pairs, oblong, 12.5 cm Χ 612 mm, membranous, both surfaces puberulous, glabrescent when old, both ends obtuse-rounded. Racemes terminal, 1530 cm, with abundant flowers; rachis densely prickly. Pedicels 34 cm, hairy, jointed at apex, so flowers easily fall off. Sepals 5, oblong, puberulous. Petals reflexed at anthesis, yellow, orbicular or obovate, 11.2 cm, membranous, base shortly clawed. Stamens subequal to petals in length; filaments compressed at base, lanose in lower part. Ovary glabrous. Pod chestnut-brown, oblong-ligulate, 612 Χ 2.53 cm, fragile-leathery, glabrous, shiny, dehiscent and thickened to a narrow wing along ventral suture when ripe, apex prolonged into a sharp beak. Seeds 69, brown, elliptic, ca. 11 Χ 6 mm. Fl. and fr. AprOct. 2n = 22*, 24*.
In bushes on mountain slopes, ravines, 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, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam].
The roots, stems, and pods are used medicinally for relieving pain.
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 1226 cm; pinnae 48 pairs, opposite, 612 cm; petiolules short; leaflets 711 pairs, oblong or obovate, 12 cm Χ 48 mm, base oblique, apex emarginate, sometimes acute. Racemes subcorymbose, terminal or axillary, lax, to 25 cm. Pedicels unequal in length, 4.57 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, 12.5 cm, margin wavy, with claw subequal to limb in length. Stamens very far exserted; filaments red, 56 cm, thick and hairy in basal part. Ovary glabrous; style orange-yellow, long, 56.5 mm. Pod blackish brown when ripe, oblanceolate-oblong, narrow and thin, 610 Χ 1.52 cm, not winged, glabrous, indehiscent, apex rounded, upper suture ending in a sharp beak. Seeds 69. Fl. and fr. year round. 2n = 24, 28.
Cultivated in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Taiwan, Yunnan [native to South America, widely cultivated throughout the tropics].
This species is a valuable ornamental of tropical regions.
rou jia yun shi
Large climber, with recurved prickles. Bark deep brown. Leaves 1220 cm; rachis 1723 cm, with recurved prickles, puberulous or glabrous; pinnae 69 pairs, 36 cm, with stipuliform prickles in pairs at base; leaflets 79 pairs, subsessile, closely spaced, blades oblong, 69 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 1.22 cm, slender. Receptacle shallowly cup-shaped, glabrescent. Sepals 5, 68 mm. Petals yellow, suborbicular, ca. 1 cm, shortly clawed. Filaments slightly exserted, densely villous in lower part, thickened at base. Ovary glabrous. Pod brown, indehiscent, oblong, 3.55 Χ 1.62 cm, fleshy, smooth, 24-seeded. Fl. AprNov, fr. MayMar.
In bushes on mountain slopes, seashores; 200300 m. Hainan, Yunnan [Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam].
niu guo su mu
Climbers, erect shrubs, or small trees, to 10 m tall. Branches glabrous, with scattered recurved prickles. Leaves with tomentose rachis 3040 cm; stipules absent; pinnae 720 pairs, 516 cm, with prickles in pairs at base; leaflets 1230 pairs, sessile, linear, ca. 15 Χ 5 mm, membranous, lateral veins conspicuous, 46 pairs, base obliquely truncate, apex obtuse-rounded. Racemes or panicles terminal or axillary, 2060 cm, pubescent. Pedicels 820 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 11.4 cm, hairy at lower part. Pistil 11.6 cm; ovary sessile, pubescent or glabrous, 4- or 5-ovuled; style inclined; stigma truncate, ciliate. Pod blackish when dry, indehiscent, often twisted, 3.59 Χ 23.5 cm, base rounded, apex obtuse, shortly beaked, both sutures thickened, often constricted between seeds, exocarp and endocarp adnate, swollen on seeds, transversely cleft when ripe. Seeds 15(7), subglobose, ca. 1 cm in diam. Fl. JunAug, fr. JulAug.
In bushes on mountain slopes; ca. 1400 m. Guangdong (Guangzhou, cultivated), Yunnan [India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar].
jian xue fei
Mezoneurum cucullatum (Roxburgh) Wight & Arnott.
Climbers 35 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 2040 cm; pinnae 25 pairs, stalked; stipules absent; leaflets 36 pairs, large, ovate, broadly ovate, or oblong, 412 Χ 2.55 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 612 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. Pod reddish brown, compressed, elliptic-oblong. 812 Χ 2.53.5 cm, shiny, indehiscent, winged along ventral suture, wing 69 mm wide, 1(or 2)-seeded. Fl. NovFeb, fr. MarOct.
In open forests, in bushes on mountain slopes; 5001200 m. Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam].
jiu yu jian xue fei
Mezoneurum enneaphyllum (Roxburgh) Wight & Arnott.
Large climbers. Branches with scattered, blackish brown, recurved prickles. Leaves alternate; rachis 2530 cm; pinnae 810 pairs, stalked, opposite, 68 cm, with blackish brown prickles in pairs at base; petiolules short; leaflets 812 pairs, opposite, oblong, (10)1525 Χ 58 mm, membranous, both ends obtuse-rounded. Panicles terminal or racemes axillary, 10-20 cm, pubescent. Flowers fragrant, papilionaceous, large; pedicels 12.5 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, 37-ovuled; style long. Pod reddish brown, subsessile, compressed, broadly lanceolate or elliptic-oblong, 1014 Χ 33.5 cm, smooth, without prickles, winged along ventral suture, wing 56 mm wide. Seeds 37, ovoid, with swollen ridge at middle. Fl. SepOct, fr. OctFeb.
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].
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 2030 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, 1.52 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, 3050 cm. Pedicels 11.5 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, 57-ovuled; style gradually inflated towards lower part; stigma praemorse. Pod compressed and thin, falcate, 1015 Χ ca. 2.5 cm when ripe, winged along ventral suture, wing ca. 1 cm wide. Seeds 57, compressed, narrowly ovoid. Fl. SepOct, fr. DecFeb.
Open forests, humid places; 300800 m. Guangxi (Balse), Yunnan [Bangladesh, Cambodia, India (Andaman Isl.), Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam].
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, petiolules 34 mm; blade ovate-lanceolate, 69 Χ 2.53 cm, leathery, both surfaces glabrous, adaxially shiny, base slightly rounded or sometimes widely cuneate, apex obtusely acuminate. Flowers not seen. Pod oblong to elliptic, slightly asymmetric or obliquely asymmetric, 47 Χ 2.53 cm, leathery, base widely cuneate, apex obtuse, beaked. Seed solitary, compressed. Fl. not seen, fr. Oct.
* Thickets at riversides, sparse woods at roadsides; ca. 600 m. Yunnan (Xishuangbanna).
TUO ye yun shi
Lianas to 15 m; young parts with dense brown hairs. Branchlets occasionally with scattered recurved prickles. Stipules absent. Leaf rachis 2030 cm, with recurved prickles; pinnae 1 or 2 pairs; leaflets opposite, 2 pairs per pinna, petiolule 23 mm; blade elliptic, 713 Χ 4.58 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, 1525 cm, all parts densely hairy; bracts lanceolate, 13 mm, caducous; pedicels 812 mm. Flowers yellow. Calyx lobes oblong, ca. 6 Χ 2 mm. Petals unqual, 1015 Χ 45 mm, shortly clawed. Stamens 10; filaments 914 mm, woolly from base to just above middle. Ovary subsessile, 2 mm, hairy, 1- or 2-ovuled; style 710 mm, occasionally as short as 2 mm; stigma truncate. Pod 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. MayJun.
* Beside ditches; ca. 100 m. Guangdong (Fengkai).
LING YE yun shi
Woody climbers. Branches with few prickles. Leaf rachis ca. 15 cm, with prickles; pinnae 46 pairs, opposite, rachis 45 cm, with one pair of prickles at base; leaflets 3 or 4 pairs, opposite, petiolules ca. 1 mm, slightly rhomboidal, 1.52 Χ 0.81.2 cm, papery, both surfaces glabrous, base broadly cuneate, apex acute, rarely slightly emarginate. Racemes paniculate, terminal or axillary, 1020 cm; pedicels 69 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. Pod 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) MayJul, fr. unknown.
In thickets. Guangxi (Dongxing) [Vietnam].
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. Pod 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 44.5 Χ 1.82 cm, broadest at middle forming curved margin on one side; leaves with pinnae 46 pairs; leaflets 1.52 Χ 0.61 cm, usually 69 pairs, veins conspicuous, abaxially without blackish dots .......................................... 1. P. macropterum
1b. Flowers densely fascicled; petals homomorphic; wings of fruit not as above, 34 Χ 1.31.5 cm; leaves with pinnae 914 pairs; leaflets smaller and numerous, usually 1930 pairs, veins obscure, abaxially with conspicuous or obscure blackish dots ........................................................ 2. P. punctatum
da chi lao hu ci
Pterolobium indicum author?? 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 810 cm; pinnae 46 pairs, 810 cm; rachis of leaves and pinnae densely brownish hispidulous, articulate; leaflets 69 pairs, opposite, obliquely oblong, 1.52 Χ 0.61 cm, leathery, both surfaces glabrous, base asymmetrical, apex rounded, cuspidate, or emarginate. Racemes or panicles terminal or supra-axillary; rachis 1015 cm, hairy; bracts subulate. Pedicels 510 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. Pod indehiscent, 66.5 cm; wings oblique, 44.5 Χ 1.82 cm, part containing seed ovoid. Fr. May, Oct.
Dry thickets, forests, sunny slopes; 4001600 m. Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam].
lao hu ci
Caesalpinia aestivalis W. Y. Chun & F. C. How; Pterolobium indicum Hance; P. rosthornii Harms.
Woody climbers or climbing shrubs, 310 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 1220 cm; petiole 35 cm, with paired blackish stipulaceous spines; pinnae 914 pairs, long and narrow; rachis of pinnae 58 cm, sulcate; petiolules short, articulate; leaflets 1930 pairs, opposite, narrowly oblong, blades at middle 910 Χ 22.5 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 813 Χ 1.52.5 cm, puberulous, supra-axillary or at apices of branches forming a panicle; bracts setiform, 35 mm. Pedicels 24 mm, slender, spaced at intervals of 12 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 56 mm, pubescent from middle downward; anthers broadly ovoid, ca. 1 mm. Ovary compressed, ciliate on one side, 2-ovuled; style glabrous; stigma funnel-shaped. Pod 46 cm, part containing seed rhomboid, 1.62 Χ 11.3 cm, wings straight on one side and curved on other side, 34 Χ 1.31.5 cm, shiny, with persistent style. Seed solitary, elliptic, ca. 8 mm. Fl. JunAug, Oct, fr. Apr, SepJan.
Sparse forests, sunny slopes, dry rocky hills, near roads, limestone mountains; 3002000 m. Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Laos].
cai mu shu
Trees or shrubs. Leaves abruptly pinnate or bipinnate by lower pinnae again divided; stipules spinous, deciduous, without stipels. Flowers yellow, small, in axillary, short and sparse racemes. Receptacle short. Calyx 5-lobed; lobes unequal. Stamens 10, free; filaments hairy at bases; anthers uniform, opening by lateral slits. Ovary shortly stipitate, 2- or 3-ovuled; style filiform; stigma terminal, capitate. Pod compressed, oblong or lanceolate, membranous, splitting along middle of valves. Seeds transversely oblong, without endosperm; radicles straight.
About three species: S Africa, tropical regions of North America including the West Indies and Mexico; cultivated in tropical Asia; one species introduced into China.
cai mu
Trees small, to 8 m tall, sometimes with spreading branches and shrubby. Trunk deeply sulcate. Bark light gray. Branchlets slender. Leaves 510 cm, with short petioles; leaflets 24 pairs, obovate to obcordate, 13 cm, papery, abaxially pale green, adaxially shiny, with fine veins, base cuneate, apex rounded or deeply emarginate. Racemes 25 cm, with several to numerous flowers; peduncles short. Pedicels 46 mm, slender. Calyx 34 mm; lobes oblong-lanceolate, apex acute. Petals yellow, narrowly obovate, 56 mm, apex obtuse. Stamens ca. as long as petals. Pod lanceolate-oblong, 25 Χ 0.81.2 cm; valves thin, with fine veins.
* Cultivated in Guangdong (Guangzhou), Taiwan, Yunnan.
The heartwood of this species is blood-red. Haematoxylin, extracted from the wood and flowers, is an important dye used for morphological anatomy and pharmacological preparations, and is also used medicinally as an astringent for treating dysentery and diarrhea.
bian zhou mu shu
Shrubs or trees, prickly or not. Leaves abruptly bipinnate; rachis very flattened; pinnae usually 24, appearing congested at first sight; stipules small, scaly to spinescent; rachis of pinnae very long and flattened; leaflets reduced, inconspicuous, numerous, opposite or alternate, small. Racemes or cymes axillary; bracts caducous, small. Pedicels long, without bracteoles. Flowers bisexual. Receptacle discoid. Sepals 5, slightly unequal, imbricate or subvalvate, membranous. Petals 5, spreading, slightly unequal, shortly clawed, uppermost broader and long clawed. Stamens 10, free, not exserted; filaments villous at bases; anthers ovoid, versatile, locules opening by lateral slits. Ovary shortly stipitate, inserted at bottom of receptacle, glabrous to ± pubescent, many ovuled; style filiform, glabrous or pubescent; stigma truncate, ciliate or glabrous. Pod linear, torulose, not winged, indehiscent, thinly leathery. Seeds oblong; hilum small, near apex, with endosperm; cotyledons flat. fleshy; radicle straight.
About four species: mostly in dry regions of S Africa, tropical America, and Oceania; one species introduced into China (Hainan).
bian zhou mu
Shrubs or trees to 6 m tall, prickly, with smooth, green bark. Leaf rachis and stipules becoming spines; pinnae 13 pairs, clustered at spinescent, very short rachis of leaves; rachis of pinnae green, to 40 cm; leaflets obovate-elliptic to obovate-oblong or oblong, 2.58.5 Χ 13.5 mm. Racemes sparsely flowered. Flowers yellow; pedicels 1.51.7 cm; bracts lanceolate. Sepals oblong, ca. 6 mm, apex obtuse. Petals spatulate, apex rounded, uppermost longer, ca. 11 Χ 6 mm. Filaments villous at bases. Pod 7.510.5 cm.
Cultivated in Hainan [widely cultivated throughout tropical regions of the world, native of tropical America].
ge mu shu
Trees. Leaves alternate, bipinnate; stipules caducous, small; pinnae few pairs, opposite; leaflets alternate, leathery. Flowers small, crowded together in terminal panicles of spicate racemes. Calyx campanulate, with 5 short subequal lobes; tube short. Petals 5, subequal. Stamens 10, free; filaments equal or alternately longer and shorter. Ovary stipitate, hairy, ovules numerous; style short; stigma small. Pod compressed and long, thickly leathery, 2-valved dehiscent when ripe, pulpy within between seeds. Seeds transverse, oblong or obovoid, compressed, with endosperm.
About 15 species: tropical Africa, tropical and subtropical E Asia, and N Australia; one species in China.
ge mu
Trees, ca. 10 m tall, sometimes to 30 m tall. Young shoots ferruginous puberulous. Leaves glabrous; pinnae usually 3 pairs, opposite or subopposite, 2030 cm; petiolules 2.53 mm; leaflets 812, ovate to ovate-elliptic, 58 Χ 2.54 cm, base rounded, oblique, margin entire, apex acuminate. Panicles 1520 cm; peduncles ferruginous pubescent. Calyx outside pilose; lobes oblong, margin densely pubescent. Petals pale yellowish green, longer than calyx lobes, oblanceolate, inside and marginally densely pubescent. Stamens ca. 2 Χ as long as petals, glabrous. Ovary oblong, densely yellowish white pubescent, 1012-ovuled. Pod compressed, oblong, 1018 Χ 3.54 cm, with reticulate veins. Seeds blackish brown, slightly compressed, oblong, 22.5 Χ 1.52 cm. Fl. MayJun, fr. AugOct.
Sparse or dense forests, mountain slopes; ??elevation. Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Taiwan, Zhejiang [Vietnam].
The wood is dark brown, hard, and bright, with fine, close grain. A famous hardwood, it is used for ship building, and for pillars of houses.
jue ming zu
Leaves abruptly pinnate or imparipinnate, rarely bipinnate. Flowers bisexual, polygamous, or plants dioecious, actinomorphic or zygomorphic. Receptacle cup-shaped. Sepals 4 or 5, rarely 3 or 6, imbricate. Petals usually 5, sometimes 3, rarely absent. Stamens various in number, sometimes with staminodes; anthers basifixed, rarely dorsifixed; locules opening by apical pores or by lateral short slits. Ovary or stipe inserted at base of receptacle, free; ovules 2 to numerous, rarely solitary.
About 20 genera: three naturalized and cultivated in China.
chang jiao dou shu
Ceratia Adanson.
Trees evergreen, small or medium-sized, with a dense crown. Leaves abruptly pinnate; leaflets 24 pairs; stipules small or absent. Flowers small, polygamous or plants dioecious, in short, solitary or fasciculate racemes. Inflorescence lateral on current year branchlets; bracts and bracteoles caducous, scale-like, minute. Calyx tube turbinate; lobes 5, deciduous, tooth-like, short, imbricate. Petals absent. Stamens 5; filaments filiform; anthers ovoid, versatile. Disc within stamens, horizontally spreading. Ovary shortly stipitate, at middle of disc; ovules numerous; style very short; stigma peltate. Pod compressed, elongated, thickly leathery, indehiscent, between seeds by pulpy areas continuous with endocarp. Seeds numerous.
Monotypic: native to the E Mediterranean; one species cultivated in China (Guangdong).
chang jian dou
Trees 1516 m tall. Leaves 817 cm; leaflets 24 pairs, obovate or suborbicular, 3.55.5 Χ 33.5 cm, leathery, glabrous, shiny, lateral veins conspicuously raised, base cuneate or broadly cuneate, margin entire, apex rounded, emarginate, or conspicuously cordate depressed. Raceme with rachis densely yellowish brown pubescent. Flowers reddish. Pod curved, 1025 Χ ca. 2.5 cm. Fl. Nov, fr.??.
* Cultivated in Guangdong (Guangzhou).
The dried pods are rich in sugar; the seeds contain a useful gum, tragasol.
ren dou shu
Trees deciduous. Buds with few perules. Leaves imparipinnate, not stipulate; leaflets alternate, entire, not stipelate. Flowers bisexual, ± actinomorphic, reddish, in terminal panicles. Sepals 5, imbricate. Petals 5, imbricate, slightly unequal. Perfect stamens 4, the 5th one reduced to a filiform staminode, rarely 5, inserted on margin of disc. Disc small, sinuate-lobate. Ovary compressed, few (79)-ovuled, shortly stipitate; style subulate, short, slightly curved; stigma small. Pod compressed, membranous, indehiscent, reticulate-veined, broadly winged along upper (adaxial) suture. Seeds few, compressed, orbicular, with long funicles.
Monotypic: S China, Vietnam.
ren dou
Trees 1520 m tall. Trunk to 100 cm d.b.h. Branchlets blackish brown, with scattered yellowish white, small lenticels. Bark rough, slicing?? fall off. Buds elliptic-fusiform, with few scales, yellowish pubescent at first, glabrescent. Leaves 2540 cm; petiole short, 35 cm; rachis and petiole ± yellowish puberulous; petiolules 23 mm; leaflets oblong-lanceolate, 69 Χ 23 cm, thinly leathery, abaxially grayish white strigose, adaxially glabrous, base rounded, margin entire, apex shortly acuminate or acute. Panicles terminal; peduncles and pedicels yellow or brown strigose. Flowers red, ca. 1.4 cm; bracts caducous, narrowly ovate, small. Sepals oblong, slightly unequal in size, 1012 Χ 56 mm, thickly membranous, outside strigose, inside glabrous, apex rounded. Petals slightly larger than sepals, ca. 1.2 cm, uppermost one obovate, ca. 8 mm wide, others elliptic-oblong or obovate-oblong, 56 mm wide. Filaments ca. 3 mm, puberulous; anthers ca. 6 Χ 1 mm. Ovary 79-ovuled, margin adpressed pilose; stipe ca. 4 mm. Pod reddish brown, oblong or elliptic-oblong, usually ca. 19 cm, sometimes to 15 Χ 2.53.5 cm; wing 56 mm wide. Seeds brownish black, 49 Χ ca. 7 mm, smooth, shiny; funicles filiform, ca. 4 mm. Fl. May, fr. JunAug. 2n = 28*.
Dense or sparse forests, mountain slopes; 2001000 m. Guangdong, Guangxi, ??Yunnan [Vietnam].
决明属 jue ming shu
Chen Dezhao (Chen Te-chao)[6]; Kai Larsen[7], Supee S. Larsen[8]
Trees or large shrubs. Leaves spirally arranged, often distichous, abruptly pinnate; rachis and petioles without glands; leaflets opposite, without stipels. Flowers in terminal on main shoots or on short side shoots racemes; pedicels with 2 bracteoles at or shortly above base. Calyx 5-merous; sepals reflexed at anthesis. Corolla zygomorphic; petals 5. Stamens 10; filaments of 3 abaxial antesepalous stamens sigmoidally curved, usually longer than their anthers, dehiscent by slits; remaining 7 filaments straight and short, with anthers mostly dehiscent by basal pores. Pod elongate, cylindric or compressed, indehiscent; seeds numerous, 1- or 2-seriate, funicle filiform.
About 30 species: tropical regions; 1 species and 2 subspecies cultivated in China.
Because of insufficient information for comparison, Cassia lancangensis Y. Y. Qian (Acta Bot. Austro Sin. 6: 23. 1990) is not yet treated here.
1a. Inflorescence 2040(60) cm; leaves with 3 or 4 pairs of leaflets; pod 22.5 cm in diam. 1. C. fistula
1b. Inflorescence shorter than 15 cm; leaves with 512 pairs of leaflets; pod less than 1.5 cm in diam. 2. C. javanica
腊肠树 la chang shu
Trees, deciduous, to 15 m tall. Leaves 30-40 cm, with 3 or 4 pairs of leaflets; leaflets broadly ovate or ovate-oblong, 813 Χ 48 cm, leathery, both surfaces puberulous when young, glabrous when mature, adaxially shiny, base broadly cuneate, apex acute. Racemes axillary, 2040(60) cm, lax, pendent, many flowered; flowers 3.54 cm in diam. Pedicels 35 cm, slender. Sepals narrowly ovate, 11.5 cm, reflexed at anthesis. Petals golden-yellow, broadly ovate, subequal, 2.53.5 cm, shortly clawed. Stamens 10, 3 long with curved filaments 34 cm, anthers ca. 5 mm, exceeding petals; 4 short with straight filaments 610 mm, reduced stamens with minute anthers. Ovary stipitate, strigulose; stigma small. Pod pendulous, blackish brown, terete, sausage-shaped, indehiscent, 3060 cm, 22.5 cm in diam.; seeds numerous, separated by papery septa, glossy brown, elliptic, flattened. 2n = 28.
Cultivated in S and SW China [Myanmar, Sri Lanka; native of India].
This is a common ornamental tree in the southern region. The bark contains tannin, a source of red dye; the fruit pulp and seeds are used medicinally as a laxative; the wood is hard and durable, and is used for props, bridges, and farm tools.
爪洼决明 zhao wa jue ming
This is a very polymorphic species with a wide distribution range from N India through the Indochinese Peninsula and the Malesian region to New Guinea; 2 subspecies native and cultivated in China.
1a. Inflorescences terminal on leafy shoots; leaflets 58 cm; pod ca. 2 mm in diam. 2c. subsp. agnes
1b. Inflorescences lateral on short side branches; leaflets 25 cm; pod 11.5 cm in diam.
2a. Petals at first pink, later dark red, finally pale; branchlets glabrous ......... 2a. subsp. javanica
2b. Petals deep yellow; branchlets thinly canescent ...................................... 2b. subsp. nodosa
爪哇决明 zhao wa jue ming (yuan ya zhong)
Petals at first pink, later dark red, finally pale; branchlets glabrous.
Distributed in the Indochinese Peninsula and Malesian region, not in China.
节荚决明 jie jia jue ming
Cassia nodosa Buchanan-Hamilton ex Roxburgh, Fl. Ind. 2: 336. 1824.
Trees deciduous. Branchlets pendulous, slender, thinly canescent. Leaves 1530 cm; leaflets 512 pairs, 25 Χ 1.22 cm, subleathery, abaxially pilose, adaxially sparsely puberulous, base slightly asymmetrical, apex acute or obtuse. Racemes lateral on short side branches; inflorescence axis slender. Sepals green (in living specimens), ovate. Petals deep yellow, ovate, 2.53 Χ 11.5 cm. Stamens 10, among them 3 abaxial antesepalous with longer filaments than other 7. Ovary linear, whitish pubescent. Pod blackish brown, terete, 3045 cm, with conspicuous annular nodes. 2n = 24, 28.
Cultivated in S China [Indonesia (Java), Malay Peninsula, Thailand; Cultivated in the neotropics].
神黄豆 shen huang dou
Cassia javanica var. agnes de Wit, Webbia 11: 220. 1956; C. agnes (de Wit) Brenan.
Trees, usually more than 10 m tall, sometimes to 30 m. Leaves 2540 cm; petiole 36 cm; leaflets 610 pairs, elliptic or oblong-elliptic, 58 Χ 2.53.3 cm, both surfaces pilose, base slightly asymmetrical, apex shortly acuminate. Panicles 69 cm, terminal on young leafy shoots, composed of 610 racemes; bracts broadly lanceolate, 58 mm. Sepals broadly lanceolate, 810 mm. Petals pink, slightly unequal in size, 34.5 Χ 1.42 cm. Stamens 10, among them 3 abaxial antesepalous filaments 33.5 cm, inflated in middle, 4 of medium size, filaments 1/2 as long as former, not inflated at middle, other 3 smaller. Ovary long, slender, slightly pubescent. Pod terete, 3050 Χ ca. 0.2 cm, with annular nodes; seeds numerous. 2n = 28*.
Forests, mountain slopes. Guangxi, Yunnan [Laos, Thailand, Vietnam].