Erect or spreading annual herbs. Leaves usually paripinnate, the rhachis terminating in a simple or rarely a branched tendril, or an awn, rarely imparipinnate; leaflets 2–several on each side of the rhachis, opposite or alternate, entire, folded flat lengthwise in bud; stipules linear to ovate. Inflorescences axillary, few-flowered, racemose or flowers solitary; bracts small, deciduous; bracteoles absent. Calyx 5-lobed, lobes subequal, subulate, at least twice as long as the tube; corolla small, white, bluish or violet; standard obovate to almost round, cuneate to the base; wings oblong or obovate, adnate to the keel; keel shorter than the wings. Ovary subsessile, 2-ovuled. Fruit pod strongly compressed, 1–2-seeded. Seeds lenticular, compressed.
Worldwide: 5 species in Mediterranean and western Asia, one species in Uganda/Ethiopia. Zimbabwe: 1 cultivated taxon. |
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