FABACEAE (Papilionaceae) [Draft]

蝶形花科  pin yin

Wu Delin (Chinese)

Trees, shrubs, or herbs, sometimes climbing or decumbent. Leaves alternate or rarely opposite, mostly compound, odd-or even-pinnate, trifoliolate, digitate, or 1-foliolate, rarely simple or reduced to scales. Stipules mostly present; stipels present or absent. Flowers bisexual, very rarely cleistogamous, solitary to racemose, paniculate, or capitate, rarely spicate. Bracts and bracteoles present. Calyx tubular, regularly 5-(rarely 4-) toothed or -lobed, bilabiate or spathaceous, lobes or teeth imbricate or valvate. Petals 5, (very rarely absent) papilionaceous, imbricate, free or rarely partially connivent; adaxial petal (vexillum or standard) outermost, two lateral (alae or wings) more or less parallel with each other, lower two innermost forming keel (carina). Stamens often 10, monadelphous or diadelphous, rarely all quite free. Often adaxial (vexillary) filament free or partly united with others; free part of filaments usually filiform, rarely swollen; anther 2-locular, uniform or more rarely dimorphic and then alternately basifixed and dorsifixed, usually opening by a slit lengthwise. Disk rarely present. Ovary of 1 carpel, superior, 1-locular or sometimes transversely, very rarely longitudinally, septate; ovules numerous to one, inserted on the adaxial suture. Pods dehiscent by one or both sutures, or indehiscent, sometimes winged, sometimes jointed and breaking up into 1-seeded segments. Seeds without or with very scanty endosperm, sometimes strophiolate; radicle sometimes inflexed.

About 425 genera, 12,000 species, distributed in world-wide, the more primitive woody genera mostly in the southern hemisphere and in the tropics, the more advanced and herbaceous genera in temperate regions, very numerous in Mediterranean countries; __ genera, __ species in China.

Physostigma venenosum Balfour has compiled in Fl. Reip. Pop. Sin. 41: 270.1995, but not here due to that it is uncommon in China.

1. CANAVALIA A. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 2: 403. 1825, nom. cons.

刀豆屬  pin yin

Herbs annual or perennial. Stems twining, prostrate or suberect. Stipules small, wart-like or inconspicuous; stipels present, deciduous. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate. Racemes axillary. Flowers purple-violet, rose, or whitish, solitary or 2–6 fasciculated on swollen nodes (nodule). Bracts and bracteoles minute, deciduous. Calyx campanulate, bilabiate, upper lip larger, truncate or 2-lobed, lower lip small or minute, entire or 3-toothed. Corolla longer than calyx. Petals shortly clawed; vexillum large, suborbicular, reflexed; wings narrow, falcate or subtwisted, free; keel broader than wings, incurved, obtuse or beaked, beak inflexed or spirally twisted, shorter than vexillum. Stamens monadelphous; anthers uniform. Ovary shortly stipitate, many ovuled; style incurved, beardless. Pods large, lorate, oblong, compressed or slightly turgid, with prominent rib along ventral suture and extra rib parallel and close to it, dehiscence by twisting of valves. Seeds 10–15, elliptic or oblong, hilum linear.

About 50 species distributed in tropical and subtropical regions; 5 species in China (including cultivated).

1a.  Herbs subshrubby, erect; upper calyx-lip subequal to calyx-tube; seeds white, ca. 3 cm ...................................  1. C. ensiformis

1b. Herbs twining; upper calyx-lip shorter than calyx-tube; seeds brown or red.

2a.  Leaflets with acuminate apex; pods larger, 20–35 Χ 3.5–6 cm; seeds 2–3.5 cm ..................................................... 2. C. gladiata

2b. Leaflets with acute, truncate or rounded apex; pods smaller, 6–12 Χ 2–4.5 cm; seeds 1.3–1.8 cm.

3a.  Upper lobes of calyx with apiculate apex ..................................................................................................................  3. C. lineata

3b. Upper lobes of calyx without apiculate apex.

4a.  Leaflets with acute or rounded apex , not emarginate; pods oblong, 7–9 Χ 3.5–4.5 cm; seeds brown-black,
1.8 cm..................................................................................................................................................................... 4. C. cathartica

4b. Leaflets with rounded or truncate apex, often emarginate, rarely acuminate; pods linear-oblong, 8–12 Χ 2–2.5
cm; seeds brown....................................................................................................................................................... 5. C. maritima

1. Canavalia ensiformis (Linnaeus) A. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 2: 404. 1852.

直生刀豆  pin yin

Dolichos ensiformis Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1022. 1753.

Herbs subshrubby, annual, 0.6–1(–2) m, wholly pubescent or glabrescent. Stipules small, deciduous. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate. Petioles usually longer than leaves; petiolules ca. 8 mm; leaflets thin, ovate or elliptic, 8–18 Χ 5–8 cm, base cuneate or rounded, margin entire, apex acute; lateral-veins 5 pairs, lateral leaflets base asymmetric. Racemes solitary, axially, 15–25(–40) cm. Flowers 1–5 on elevated, fleshy nodule of rachis. Bracteoles scale-like. Calyx 1.5–2 cm, upper lip large, lobes 2, equal length to calyx tube, lower lip small, lobes deltoid. Corolla purplish or white with purple; vexillum suborbiculate, 2.2 cm in diam., base with 2 semi-orbiculate, reflexed auricles, claw flat and broad, ca. 5 mm; wings obovate-oblong, with keels auriculate and clawed. Pods thickly coriaceous, strap-shaped, 20–30 Χ 2.5–4 cm, valves with extra rib 5 mm from sutural rib. Seeds white, elliptic, ca. 3 Χ 2 cm; hilum not more than 1.5 cm. Fl. May–Jul, fr. Oct.

Cultivated in Guangdong, Hainan [native to central America and West Indies, now widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions].

Green manure, forage.

2. Canavalia gladiata (Jacquin) A. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 2: 404. 1825.

刀豆  pin yin

Dolichos gladiatus Jacquin, Coll. Bot. 2: 276. 1788. Canavalia gladiolata Sauer.

Herbs climbing, several m. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate. Petiolules 4 mm; leaflets ovate, 8–20 Χ 8–12 cm, base round or cuneate, apex acuminate, sparsely whitish or brown pubescent on both surfaces, lateral ones oblique. Racemes axillary, 10–20-flowered; peduncles 20–25 cm. Flowers 2–3-fasciculated on nodule. Bracteoles 1.5 mm. Calyx 15–16 mm, slightly pubescent, upper lip with a round tooth, lower lip with 3 acute tooth. Corolla white or pink, 3–3.5 cm. Petals clawed and auriculate; vexillum broadly elliptic, 3–3.5 Χ 2.5 cm, emarginate; wings and keel oblong, incurved, smaller than vexillum. Ovary linear, hairy. Pods lorate, thickly coriaceous, 20–35 Χ 3.5–5 cm, slightly curved, with extra rib 5 mm from sutural rib. Seeds reddish-brown, elliptic-oblong, 3.5 Χ 2 cm; hilum ca. 1.5 cm. Fl. Jul–Sep, fr. Oct.

Widely cultivated in area S of Changjiang River [Asia, Africa].

Plant originally cultivated in Far East, now widely cultivated in tropics and not known out of cultivation, save as an escape.

Pods & seeds edible, green manure, forage.

3. Canavalia lineata (Thunberg) A. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 2: 404. 1825.

狹刀豆  pin yin

Dolichos lineatus Thunberg, Fl. Jap. 280. 1784.

Herbs perennial, twining. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate; leaflets hardly chartaceous, ovate or obovate, 6–14 Χ 4–10 cm, base truncate or cuneate, apex round or cuspidate, sparsely pubescent on both surfaces. Racemes axillary. Calyx 12 mm, pubescent, upper lip large, broadly 2-lobed, lower one 3-lobed, small, subtruncate. Corolla purplish-red; vexillum broadly ovate, 2.5 cm, emarginate, base 2-callose and auriculate; wings linear-oblong, slightly falcate; keel obovate-oblong. Pods oblong, compressed, 6–10 Χ 2.5–3 cm, with extra rib ca. 3 mm from sutrual rib. Seeds 2–3, brown, ovate 1.7 Χ 7 mm, blotched. Fl. and fr. Jun–Oct.

On sandy beach. Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Taiwan, Zhejiang [Japan, Korea, Philippines, Vietnam to Indonesia].

4. Canavalia cathartica Thouars, Vesvaux, Journ. Bot. 1: 81. 1813.

小刀豆  pin yin

Lablab microcarpus A. P. de Candolle; Canavalia microcarpa (A. P. de Candolle) Piper; C. turgida Graham ex A. Gray; C. a ensiformis var. turgida Baker.

Twiners biennial, robust, herbaceous. Stems, branches sparsely pubescent. Stipules small, callous; stipels minute, very early deciduous. Leaves bipinnately 3-foliate. Petioles 3–8 cm; petiolules 5–6 mm, tomentose; leaflets chartaceous, ovate, 6–10 Χ 4–9 cm, base broad-cuneate, truncate or rounded, apex acute or rounded, sparsely white pubescent on both surfaces. Racemes with 1–3 flowers on each nodule of rachis. Pedicels 1–2 mm. Calyx subcampanulate, ca. 12 mm, pubescent, upper lip with rounded lobes, shorter than tube, lower 3 teeth smaller. Corolla pink or purplish, 2–2.5 cm; vexillum orbiculate, 2 Χ 2.5 cm, with 2 calluses near base, clawed, apex emarginated; wings and keel curved, ca. 2 cm. Ovary tomentose, style glabrous. Pods oblong, 7–9 Χ 3.5–4.5 cm, turgid, apex rostrate. Seeds brown black, elliptic, ca. 18–12 mm, hard and smooth, hilum 13–14 mm. Fl. and fr. Apr–Oct.

In seashore or river bank. Guangdong, Hainan, Taiwan [widely distributed in tropical Asia and some areas of Africa and Austria].

5. Canavalia maritima (Aublet) Thouars, Vesvaux, Journ. Bot. 1: 80. 1813.

海刀豆  pin yin

Dolichus maritimus Aublet, Hist. Pl. Guiane Franc. 765. 1775; D. obtusifolia Lamarck; D. rosea Swartz; D. obcordatus Roxburgh; Canavalia rosea (Swartz) A. P. de Candolle; C. obtusifolia (Lamarck) A. P. de Candolle; C. obcordatus (Roxburgh) Voigt.

Twiners robust, herbaceous. Stems sparsely puberulent. Stipules and stipels small. Leaves bipinnately 3-foliolate. Petioles 2.5–7 cm; petiolules 5–8 mm; leaflets obovate, ovate, elliptic or suborbiculate, 5–8(–14) Χ 4.5–6.5(–10) cm, base cuneate to subrounded, lateral ones often oblique, apex rounded, truncate, emarginate or mucronate, pilose on both surfaces; lateral veins 4–5 on each side. Racemes axillary, up to 30 cm including peduncles. Flowers 1–3 fasciculated on nodule. Bracteoles 2, ovate, 1.5 mm. Calyx campanulate, 1–1.2 cm, pubescent, upper lobes semi-orbiculate, 3–4 mm, lower ones small. Corolla purple, vexillum orbiculate, 2.5 cm, apex emarginate; wings falcate, auriculate; keel oblong, curved, linear-auriculate. Ovary tomentose. Pods linear-oblong, 8–12 Χ 2–2.5 cm, apex rostrate, valves with extra rib 3 mm from both sutures. Seeds brown, elliptic, 13–15 Χ 10 mm, hilum ca. 1 cm. Fl. Jun–Jul.

On sandy beach. Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Zhejiang [tropical coastal area].

2. DOLICHOS Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 725. 1753, nom. cons.

镰扁豆属  pin yin

Herbs or shrubs erect, climbing or prostrate, sometimes with carrot-like woody rhizomes. Stipules and stipels present. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate, subdigitate or 1-foliolate. Racemes axillary or terminal, sometimes subumbellate, or flowers solitary, axillary. Calyx 5-toothed, bilabiate, upper lip entire, 2-toothed or 2-lobed, lower lip 3-lobed. Corolla yellow or purple. Petals clawed; vexillum suborbicular, often with inflexed auricle and appendage at base; wings obovate or oblong, more or less adherent to keel; keel incurved, often beaked but not spirally twisted. Vexillary stamen free, remainder connate into an open sheath; anther uniform. Ovary 3–12-ovuled; disk present; style swollen and more or less twisted towards base or narrowed from base to tip, glabrous or shortly pubescent all over, sometimes only with a ring of hairs around terminal capitate stigma. Pods straight or arcuate, flattened, not septate. Seeds more or less flattened, arillate or strophiolate; hilum short, usually central.

60 species distributed in Africa and Asia; 4 species in SE to SW China.

1a.  Leaves glabrous on both surfaces .............................................................................................................................  1. D. trilobus

1b. Leaves hairy on both surfaces or abaxially.

2a.  Flowers small; vexillum not more than 1.2 cm ....................................................................................................  2. D. tenuicaulis

2b. Flowers large; vexillum more than 1.5 cm.

3a.  Leaflets ovate-rhombic, 6–7 Χ 4–6 cm, apex acuminate and apiculate; corolla white with purple striae ................  4. D. thorelii

3b. Leaflets broadly rhombic-ovate or ovate, 10–11 Χ 9–9.5 cm, apex acute or slightly obtuse; corolla purple
                                                                                                                                                                         5. D. junghuhnianus

1. Dolichos trilobus Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 726. 1753, pro part.

镰扁豆  pin yin

Dolichos falcatus Willdenow; D. kosyunensis Hosokawa.

Herbs twining. Stems gracile, glabrous or subglabrous. Stipules ovate, basifixed, ca. 3 mm, nervis conspicuous; stipels linear. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate. Petioles 2–3 cm; petiolules 2–3 mm, hairy; leaflets rhombic or ovate-rhombic, 2–6 Χ 2–4.5 cm , base broad and obtuse, apex acute or acuminate, glabrous on both surfaces. Racemes axillary, gracile, 1–4-flowered; peduncles equal length to petioles or more. Bracts and bracteoles with conspicuous nerve-striae. Calyx broad-campanulate, 3 mm, glabrous, teeth triangular. Corolla white, 10–20 mm; vexillum orbicular, base with 2 triangular appendages, without auricle; wings obovate, slightly longer than vexillum; keel base truncate, clawed. Stamens diadelphous. Ovary sessile. Pods linear-oblong, 6 Χ 0.8 cm, slightly curved, compressed. Seeds 6–7. Fl. Oct–Mar of next year.

In thickets. Hainan, Taiwan [Tropical Africa and Asia].

2. Dolichos tenuicaulis (Barker) Craib, Fl. Siam. Enum. 1(3): 460. 1928.

丽江镰扁豆  pin yin

Phaseolus tenuicaulis Barker, Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 2: 201. 1876; Dolichos appendiculatus Handel-Mazzetti.

Herbs twining. Stems gracile, over 1 m, sparsely yellowish pubescent. Stipules ovate-lanceolate, ca. 6 mm, ciliate, 7-veined; stipels lanceolate, 2 mm, densely hirsute. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate; leaflets broadly rhombic-ovate, 2.5–4.8 Χ 2.5–4.5 cm, lateral ones more narrow, oblique, base broadly cuneate, apex acute, white strigose on both surfaces, especially on abaxially veins, 3-nerved. Racemes axillary; peduncles equal length to petioles; pedicels 2.5–4 mm, with inflorescence-rachis slightly dense and curved short hirsute. Bracts and bracteoles lanceolate, 1.5–2 mm. Calyx-tube obliquely pot-shaped, 1–1.5 mm, puberulous or subglabrous, teeth broadly triangular, upper two connate to 2/3. Corolla violate, 1.2 cm; vexillum suborbicular, slightly emarginate, base attenuate into a claw, with appendage and auricle; wings oblong-obovate, as long as vexillum, clawed and with auricle; keel 8 mm, slightly curved, margin rough. Ovary stipitate, sparsely hairy; style glabrous; stigma, brush-shaped. Pods unknown. Fl. Aug.

In grasses, alt. 2000–2300 m. Yunnan [India, Thailand].

3. Dolichos thorelii Gagnepain, Lecomte, Not. Syst. 3: 191. 1914.

海南镰扁豆  pin yin

Herbs twining. Branches angulate, pubescent. Stipules ovate-lanceolate, striate; stipels linear, 3–5 mm. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate; leaflets ovate-rhombic, 6–7 Χ 4–6 cm, base rounded or broad-cuneate, apex acuminate and apiculate, appressed pubescent on both surfaces, 3-basinerved. Racemes axillary, 7–14 cm, densely pubescent, with flowers at apex of 2–3 cm; peduncles 5–11 cm. Bracts ovate, striate, caducous; bracteoles ovate, 5 mm. Calyx 5 mm, teeth very short, upper two nearly whole connate. Corolla white with purple striae, 16–18 mm; vexillum below medium with 2 appendages; wings obovate-oblong, with round auricle at top of claw; keel falcate, apex obtuse. Ovary linear, slightly pubescent; style glabrous; stigma brush-form. Pods linear, 6 Χ 0. 7 cm, compressed, pubescent, 7-seeded. Fl. Dec.

In thickets or thin forests. Hainan [Laos, Vietnam].

4. Dolichos junghuhnianus Bentham, Miquel, Pl. Jungh. 240. 1852.

滇南镰扁豆  pin yin

Dolichos henryi Harms.

Herbs twining. Stems densely pilose or subglabrous. Stipules broad-lanceolate; stipels linear-lanceolate. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate. Petiolules 4 mm; leaflets broadly rhombic-ovate or ovate, 10–11 Χ 9–9.5 cm, base rounded, obtuse to broad-cuneate, apex acute or slightly obtuse or with very short acumen, sparsely pilose. Racemes pubescent, with flowers paired at swollen nodes of axis; peduncles 4–7 mm. Bracteoles 7–8 mm. Calyx 7–8 mm, teeth short, upper two nearly whole connate. Corolla purple, glabrous; vexillum suborbicular, ca. 15 mm, below medium with 2 callosities, base with inflexed auricle, claw curved; wings oblique-oblong, 16–17 mm; keel dorsal curved, apex obtuse. Ovary linear, shortly stalked, very shortly tomentose; style glabrous, thicken; stigma brush-form. Pods tomentose when young, glabrescent when mature.

S Yunnan [Indonesia, Thailand].

3. LABLAB Adanson, Fam. Pl. 2: 325. 1763.

扁豆屬  pin yin

Herbs perennial, twining or suberect. Stipules reflexed, persistent; stipels lanceolate. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate. Racemes axillary, nodes of rachis swollen. Calyx campanulate, bilabiate, upper lip entire or emarginate, lower 3-lobed. Corolla purple or white; vexillum orbicular, reflexed, auriculate at base, with 2 callosities on inner face; wings oblong; keel incurved at right angle. Stamens diadelphous; anthers uniform; style abruptly upturned, laterally compressed, bearded in upper part; stigma terminal. Pods obliquely oblong-falcate, compressed, sinuous, with minute warts along both sutures, shallowly septate between seeds within. Seeds slightly compressed, dark brown, with white aril.

One species, 3 subspecies widely cultivated throughout the tropics, native to Africa; 1 species cultivated in China.

1. Lablab purpureus (Linnaeus) Sweet, Hort. Brit. ed. 1, 481. 1827.

扁豆  pin yin

Dolichos purpureus Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. ed. 2, 1021. 1763; D. lablab Linnaeus; D. albus Loureiro.

Vines perennial. Stems up to 6 m, usually purplish. Stipules basifixed, lanceolate. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate; leaflets deltoid-ovate, 6–10 Χ 6–10 cm, lateral ones oblique, base subtruncate, apex acute or acuminate. Racemes axillary, erect, 15–25 cm. Flowers 2–5 fasciculated at each node. Calyx campanulate, 6 mm, upper 2 wholly connate, lower 3 subequal. Corolla white or purple; vexillum orbicular, 12 mm, base with 2 appendages and 2 auricles below; wings broadly obovate, blade 10 mm; keel curved at right angle, base attenuate. Ovary linear; style longer than ovary, laterally compressed, apex bearded. Pods oblong-falcate, 5–7 Χ 1.4–1.8 cm, compressed, straight or lightly curved, beaked. Seeds 3–5, white, purple or purple-black, oblong, hilum linear. Fl. Apr–Dec.

Widely cultivated in China [native to Africa].

Edible, medicinal.

4. MACROPTILIUM (Bentham) Urban, Symb. Antill. 9: 457. 1928.

大翼豆属  pin yin

Phaseolus sect. Macroptilium Bentham, Comm. Legum. Gen. 16. 1837.

Herbs erect or climbing. Stipules not produced below base, strongly nervose; stipels similar but smaller. Leaves pinnately 3-very rarely 1-foliolate. Racemes long. Flowers paired or several on rachis. Bracts sometimes persistent. Calyx-tube narrowly campanulate or cylindric, lobes 5, equal or unequal. Corolla white, purplish, violet, or black; vexillum reflexed, obovate or orbicular, with 2 small reflexed auricles at base; wings large, much longer than vexillum, very broad, obovate or suborbicular, erect, 2-auricled below base of limb, with keel long-clawed, claw partly adnate to staminal tube; keel twisted. Stamens diadelphous, vexillary stamen free, remainder connate; anthers uniform. Ovary subsessile, few-or many-ovuled; style 2 times incurved and thickened in upper part. Pods linear, subterete or compressed, straight or falcate, 2-valved. Seeds numerous or few; hilum short.

About 20 species distributed in tropical America; 2 species introduced in China.

1a.  Herbs perennial, prostrate; stipules ovate, 4–5 mm; leaflets ovate to rhombic, abaxially silvery tomentose,
adaxially pubescent .....................................................................................................................................  1. M. atropurpureum

1b. Herbs annual or biennial, erect, sometimes prostrate or climbing; stipules lanceolate, 5–10 mm; leaflets
narrowly elliptic to ovate-lanceolate, abaxially densely pubescent or sparsely pilose, adaxially glabrous .......  2. M. lathyroides

1. Macroptilium atropurpureum (A. P. de Candolle) Urban, Symb. Antill. 9: 457. 1928.

紫花大翼豆  pin yin

Phaseolus atropurpureum A. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 2: 395. 1825.

Herbs perennial, prostrate. Rhizomes deeply taked in earth. Stems pubescent or tomentose. Stipules ovate, 4–5 mm, pilose, striate. Leaves trifoliate. Petioles 0.5–5 cm; leaflets ovate to rhombic, 1.5–7 Χ 1.3–5 cm, sometimes lobed, lateral ones oblique, lobed on outer side, base rounded, apex obtuse or acute, adaxially pubescent, abaxially silvery tomentose. Inflorescences with peduncles of 10–25 cm and rachis of 1–8 cm. Calyx campanulate, ca. 5 mm, white pilose, 5-toothed. Corolla deeply purple; vexillum 1.5–2 cm, with long claw. Pods linear, 5–9 Χ less 3 mm, apex rostrate, 12–15-seeded. Seeds with brown and black markly striae, oblong-elliptic, 4 mm.

Cultivated in Guangdong and Hongkong [native to tropical America, widely cultivated and naturalized elsewhere].

Forage.

2. Macroptilium lathyroides (Linnaeus) Urban, Symb. Antill. 9: 457. 1928.

大翼豆  pin yin

Phaseolus lathyroides Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. ed. 2, 1018.1763.

Herbs annual or biennial, erect, 0.6–1.5 m tall, sometimes prostrate or twining. Stems densely pubescent. Stipules lanceolate, 5–10 mm, striate. Leaves trifoliate. Petioles 0.5–5 cm; leaflets narrowly elliptic to ovate-lanceolate, 3–8 Χ 1–3.5 cm, base cuneate, apex acute, abaxially densely pubescent or sparsely pilose, adaxially glabrous, slightly lobed or not. Inflorescences with peduncles of 15–40 cm. Flowers paired on upper part of rachis. Calyx tubular-campanulate, teeth shortly triangular. Corolla purple-red; vexillum suborbicular, ca. 1.5 cm, sometimes tinctured with green; wings ca. 2 cm, with white claw; keel apex contorted. Pods linear, 5.5–10 cm Χ 2–3 mm, densely pubescent, 18–30-seeded. Seeds brown or with brown and black striae, oblique-oblong, ca. 3 mm.

Cultivated in Fujian, Guangdong and Hongkong [native to tropical America, widely cultivated and naturalized elsewhere].

Cover crop.

5. MASTERSIA Bentham, Trans. Linn. Soc. 25: 300, t. 34. 1865.

闭荚藤属  pin yin

Climbers woody. Stipules caduceus. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate. Stipellate; leaflets large. Racemes axillary and terminal, Flowers borne in clusters of 2–3 on small nodose. Bracts 2, caducous; bracteoles obovate, sheathing base of calyx, persistent. Calyx-lobes longer than tube, upper 2 connate into a broad entire one; vexillum suborbicular, very shortly clawed, not auriculate; wings obliquely oblong; keel broad, slightly incurved, obtuse, subequal to wings. Stamens diadelphous, vexillary stamen free, remainder connate; anthers linear, versatile. Ovary sessile; ovules numerous; style shortly filiform, incurved, not barbate; stigma capitate. Pods oblong-linear, plano-compressed, narrowly winged along upper suture, indehiscent. Seeds numerous, oblong, transversely arranged; hilum lateral, small.

Two species distributed in Bhutan, India, Indonesia and Malaysia; 1 species in China.

1. Mastersia assamica Bentham, Trans. Linn. Soc. 25: 300, t. 34. 1865.

闭荚藤  pin yin

Climbers woody, young parts pubescent. Stipules caducous; stipels linear, 7–8 mm. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate, rachis 6–15 cm; leaflets subrhombic, elliptic or ovate, 8–14 Χ 6–12.5 cm, lateral ones smaller than terminal one, base rounded, apex acuminate, glabrous adaxially, appressed pubescent abaxially. Racemes 30 cm or more. Bracts ovate-lanceolate, 7–8 mm, ciliate; bracteoles obovate, 5–7 mm, persistent. Calyx campanulate, tube 4–5 mm, 4-lobed, lobes 7–12 mm. Corolla purplish, 10–18 mm. Pods blackish, thinly coriaceous, oblong, 10–12 Χ 2.5–3 cm, glabrous, indehiscent. Seeds brown, reniform, 5 Χ 2.5 mm.

Semi-evergreen rainforests, below alt. 900 m. Xizang [Bhutan, India].

6. PACHYRHIZUS Richard ex A. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 2: 402. 1825, nom. cons.

豆薯屬  pin yin

Herbs perennial, twining or erect, with fleshy tubers. Stipules and stipels present. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate; leaflets large, ovate or rhomboid, entire or sinuately lobed. Racemes or panicles axillary, rachis often nodose. Bracts caducous; bracteoles small, subpersistent or minute and caducous. Calyx bilabiate, upper lip emarginate, lower 3-toothed. Corolla violet or white, exserted from calyx; vexillum broadly obovate, appendaged with 2 inflexed auricles; wings oblong or falcate, often adherent to middle of the keel; keel sometimes beaked, subequal to wings. Stamens diadelphous; anthers uniform; vexillary stamen free at the base, connate in the middle with keel. Ovary many-ovuled; style filiform, inflexed adaxially. Pods lorate, 2-valved, stricted between seeds. Seeds compressed, suborbicular or transversely oblong.

Six species distributed in tropical America; 1 species cultivated in China.

1. Pachyrhizus erosus (Linnaeus) Urban, Symb. Antill. 4: 311. 1905.

豆薯  pin yin

Dolichos erosus Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 726. 1753; Pachyrhizus angulatus Richard.

Vines robust, twining. Roots fleshy tuberous, 10–20 cm in diam. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate; leaflets rhombic or ovate, 4–18 Χ 4–20 cm, upper margin often somewhat dentate or lobed, lateral ones very unequalateral, sparsely pubescent abaxially. Racemes axillary, 15–30 cm. Flowers 3–5 at thickened nodes. Calyx campanulate, 9–11 mm, adpressed pilose. Corolla purplish or pink; vexillum suborbicular, 15–20 mm, with yellow-green spot and 2 callous appendages nearly base, 2-auriculate; wings falcate, linear-auriculate; keel subfalcate, 1.5–2 cm. Stamens diadelphous. Ovary yellowish hirsute; style curved. Pods lorate, 7.5–13 Χ 1.2–1.5 cm, compressed, hirsute. Seeds 8–10, subsquare. Fl. Aug, fr. Nov.

Cultivated in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hong Kong, Hunan, Sichuan, Taiwan [native to tropical America, widely cultivated in tropical regions].

Vegetable.

7. PHASEOLUS Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 723. 1753.

菜豆屬  pin yin

Herbs twining or erect, often hooked-hairy. Stipules basifixed, base elongated, persistent. Stipels present. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate. Racemes axillary. Bracts and bracteoles persistent or deciduous. Flowers at swollen nodes. Calyx 2-labiate, upper pair of teeth connate, lower lip 3-toothed. Corolla yellow, white, red or purple. Petals clawed; vexillum orbicular, reflexed, base with appendage or not; wings obovate or oblong, adherent to keel; keel linear, beak long, spirally coiled through 1–2 twins. Stamens diadelphous. Style spiraled with keel over 360°; stigma oblique. Pods linear or oblong, subterete or compressed, 2-valved. Seeds 2-many, oblong or reniform, hilum shortly linear, estrophiolate.

About 50 species distributed in warm regions, especially tropical America; 3 species cultivated in China.

Doubtful species: Phaseolus anguinus Bunge.

1a.  Bracteoles conspicuous, usually equal length to calyx or slightly longer, persistent.

2a.  Inflorescences shorter than leaves; pods lorate, slightly curved, toward top not broadened ...................................  1. P. vulgaris

2b. Inflorescences longer than leaves; pods falcate-oblong, toward top broadened .....................................................  2. P. coccineus

1b. Bracteoles inconspicuous, most short than calyx, deciduous ....................................................................................  3. P. lunatus

1. Phaseolus vulgaris Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 723.1753.

菜豆  pin yin

Herbs annual, twining or suberect. Stems pubescent or glabrescent when old. Stipules lanceolate, basifixed, ca. 4 mm. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate; leaflets broadly ovate or obovate-rhombic, lateral ones oblique, 4–16 Χ 2.5–11 cm, base rounded or broadly cuneate, margin entire, apex acuminate, pubescent. Racemes shorter than leaves, several-flowered at top of rachis. Pedicels 5–8 mm. Bracteoles ovate, usually equal length to calyx or slightly longer, persistent. Calyx cup-shaped, 3–4 mm, upper 2 lip emarginate. Corolla white, yellow, violet or red; vexillum subquadrate, 9–12 mm wide; wings obovate; keel ca. 1 cm, apex spirally twisted. Ovary pubescent. Pods lorate, 10–15 Χ 1–1.5 cm, slightly curved and turgid, glabrous, beaked. Seeds 4–6, white, brown, blue or variegated, oblong or ensiform, 0.9–2 Χ 0.3–1.2 cm. Fl. Apr–Jul.

Cultivated in all China [widely cultivated in everywhere, native to America].

Vegetable.

Phaseolus vulgaris var. humilis Alef., is a variety frequently cultivated in Guangdong.

2. Phaseolus coccineus Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 724. 1753.

荷包豆  pin yin

Phaseolus multiflorus Willdenow.

Herbs perennial, twining with tuberoid, usually as annual crop in temperate zone. Stems pubescent or glabrous. Stipules small, inconspicuous. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate; leaflets ovate or obovate-rhombic, 7.5–12.5 Χ 7.5–12.5 cm or more, apex acuminate or slightly obtuse, pubescent or glabrous on both surfaces. Racemes longer than leaves, several-flowered at top of rachis. Bracts oblong-lanceolate, more or less persistent; bracteoles oblong-lanceolate, equal length to calyx or slightly longer. Calyx broad-campanulate, glabrous or sparsely pilose, teeth short than calyx, upper lip triangular. Corolla generally scarlet, occasionally white or variegated (red and white), 1.5–2 cm. Pods falcate-oblong, (5–)16(–30) Χ 1.5 cm. Seeds deep purple with red spots, black or red, rarely white, broad-oblong, 1.8–2.5 Χ 1.2–1.4 cm, apex obtuse. Fl. Apr–Jul.

Cultivated in Guizhou, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Jinin, Liaoning, Neimenggu, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan and Yunnan [widely cultivated in temperature zone, native to America.]

Food, ornamental.

3. Paseolus lunatus Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 72. 1753.

棉豆  pin yin

Herbs annual or perennial, twining. Stems pubescent or glabrous. Stipules triangular, 2–3.5 mm, basifixed. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate; leaflets ovate, 5–12 Χ 3–9 cm, lateral ones often oblique, base rounded or broad-cuneate, apex acuminate or acute, sparsely pubescent along nervis or glabrous on both surfaces. Racemes axillary, 8–20 cm. Pedicels 5–8 mm. Bracteoles elliptic, shorter than calyx, with 3 elevated veins when dry. Calyx campanulate, 2–3 mm, pubescent. Corolla white, yellowish or reddish; vexillum orbicular or oblate-oblong, 7–10 Χ 5–8.5 mm, apex emarginate; wings obovate; keel apex twisted 1–2 circles. Ovary pubescent; stigma oblique. Pods falcate-oblong, 5–10 Χ 1.5–2.5 cm, compressed, apex beaked, 2–4-seeded. Seeds white, purple or other color, subrombic or reniform, 12–13 Χ 8.5–9.5 mm. Fl. spring to summer.

Cultivated in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hebei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Shandong, Yunnan [widely cultivated in temperature zone, native to tropical America].

Food (seed).

8. PSOPHOCARPUS Necker ex A. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 2: 403. 1825. nom. cons.

四棱豆属  pin yin

Herbs climbing or prostrate, rarely erect, with tuberoids. Stipules produced below the base; stipellate. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate. Flowers solitary or in axillary racemes, nodes swollen. Bracts small, very caducous; bracteoles larger, membranous, persistent for a time. Calyx 5-teethed, 2 upper calyx-lobes connate into 1 lobe or 2-lobed. Corolla lilac or violet, exserted from calyx; vexillum suborbicular, appendaged with basal auricles; wings obliquely obovate; keel incurved at apex, obtuse. Vexillary stamen free at base, connate in middle with others; anthers uniform, 5 basifixed stamens alternate with 5 dorsifixed ones. Ovary shortly stipitate. Ovules 3–21; style incurved; stigma globose, densely penicillate-villous. Pods oblong, 4-winged lengthwise, 2-valved, septate between seeds. Seeds ovate or oblong-elliptic, with or without aril.

About 10 species distributed in tropical regions of E hemisphere; 1 species introduced in China.