Spiny (in ours) shrubs or small trees. Leaves 2-pinnate, the rhachilla spinescent. Stipules (in ours) spinescent. Inflorescence an axillary raceme. Sepals 5. Petals 5, ± equal but upper one larger and longer clawed. Stamens 10, Pod indehiscent. Derivation of name: Named after John Parkinson, a London apothecary and botanist of the 17th century Worldwide: 14 species, mostly in drier parts of America, one in southern Africa (africana - not in Zimbabwe) and two in E and NE tropical Africa Zimbabwe: 1 cultivated taxon. |