Abrus Aeschynomene 
A. indica 
1cm 
A. aspera 
A. glumaceus A. longifolius A. rugosus A. vaginalis 
Fig. 16 
ALYSICARPUS Desv. 
Erect or prostrate herbs or shrubs. Stipules persistent, scarious, usually narrowly triangular, striate, glabrous, 
acuminate. Leaves 1-foliolate, stipels present; leaflets often variegated above, venation pinnate with prominent 
tertiary veins. Inflorescence terminal, leaf opposed or axillary, racemose; bracts caducous, ovate, scarious, 
striate, acuminate; 2 flowers per node. Calyx connate at base, appearing 4-lobed, the upper lobe bifid, striate. 
Corolla small, glabrous; standard without a distinct claw, obovate or spathulate. Stamens 9+1, filaments 
alternately long and short, anthers uniform, dorsifixed, versatile. Ovary shortly stipitate, ovules several; style 
geniculate and thickened in centre, glabrous; stigma capitate. Pod on stipe c. 1 mm long, articulated, stramineous, 
oblong-linear; articles turgid, indehiscent. Seeds longitudinal in pod, ellipsoid to oblong or rhomboid, flattened, 
ecarunculate. 
A genus of c. 30 species distributed through the Old World tropics. Eight species are known from Australia, 
with 4 in the NT (all treated here) and 3 in the DR. 
