Fls perfect; hypanthium short, hemispheric; cal irregular, 5-toothed; cor irregular, almost papilionaceous, but the upper petal the smallest and internal to the 2 upper lateral ones, the lower petals the largest, distinct; stamens 10, distinct; anthers versatile, longitudinally dehiscent; pods thin and flat, narrowly oblong, rather tardily dehiscent, several-seeded, strongly margined along the upper suture; trees or shrubs with simple, cordate, entire lvs and sessile fascicles of pedicellate fls borne on the stems of the previous year and opening before the lvs. 6, North Temperate.