270 105- LEGUMINOSAE 



214. Stamens q. Calyx-teeth very short. Corolla white or pink ; standard 



adhering to the staminal tube at its base ; wings oblong, shorter than 

 the keel. Shrubs or undershrubs. Leaves ending in a bristle. Bract- 

 eoles present. — Species 6. Tropical and South Africa. Several species 

 (especially A. praecaionus L.) yield fibres, poisonous ornamental seeds 



(crab-eyes), and medicaments Abrus L. 



Stamens 10 215 



215. Connective of the stamens ending in a small point, a gland, or a tuft of 



hairs. Keel gibbous or spurred on each side. Fruit transversely 

 chambered, opening by two valves. Herbs undershrubs or shrubs, 

 clothed with appressed hairs fixed at the middle. Bractcoles none. — 

 Species 320. Tropical, South, and North-east Africa. Several species 

 yield a dye (indigo), or are used in medicine or as ornamental plants. 



Indigofera L. 

 Connective without an appendage 216 



216. Fruit indehiscent, not jointed. Calyx-teeth obscure or wanting. Standard 



auricled at the base ; petals of the keel free. Alternate filaments with 

 a scale at the base. Trees. Leaflets alternate. — Species i. Mada- 

 gascar Xanthocercis Baill. 



Fruit dehiscent or jointed. Herbs, undershrubs, or shrubs. . . .217 



217. Fruit jointed, dehiscing on one side or indehiscent. Corolla j^'ellow ; 



standard orbicular. Stamens usually all united. (See 209.) 



Aeschynomene L. 



Fruit not jointed, dehiscing by two valves 218 



2t8. Fruit transversely septate. Bracteoles bristle-like, deciduous. Upper- 

 most stamen free. (See 196.) Sesbania Pers. 



Fruit longitudinally septate or i-celled. Wings adhering to the keel . 219 



219. Fruit i-celled, compressed. Petals with a short claw. Herbs. Leaves 



ending in a bristle or a tendril. Bracteoles none. (See 212.). Vicia L. 

 Fruit 2-celled, rarely i-celled but then turgid. — Species 70. North and 

 East Africa to Transvaal and the Cape Verde Islands. Several species 

 yield fodder, tragacanth-gum, manna-like exudations, or edible 

 seeds which are also used as a substitute for coffee. (Including Acaji- 

 thyllis Pomel, Erophaca Boiss., and Phaca L.) . . . Astragalus L. 



220. (205.) Leaves unifoliolate, simple, or wanting 221 



Leaves digitate or pinnate, with 3 or more leaflets 251 



221. Leaves exstipulate or wanting 222 



Leaves stipulate 224 



222. Branches leaf-like. Leaves usually wanting. Trees. Corolla red. Fruit 



turgid, indehiscent. — Species 5. Madagascar. They yield timber. 



(Including Neobaronia Bak.) Phylloxylon Baill. 



Branches not leaf-like. Leaves present. Shrubs. Corolla yellow. Fruit 

 flat, dehiscing by two valves. Seeds with an outgrowth near the 

 hilum 223 



