Fls perfect, ± irregular; pedicels without bracteoles; hypanthium very short; sep 5; pet 5, yellow, often unequal; stamens mostly 10 but unlike, the lowest (abaxial) ones fully developed, the upper ones progressively reduced, in our spp. the 3 upper ones without normal anthers; anthers basifixed, at least half as long as the filaments, opening by an apical pore or short slit; pods terete or quadrangular to compressed, often transversely septate, indehiscent or inertly dehiscent; lvs evenly once-pinnate, generally with one or more large glands on the petiole or rachis; our spp. all herbs. (Often included in Cassia) 240, widespread.
Herbs, shrubs, or small trees. Leaves abruptly pinnate; leaflets opposite; rachis and petiole with or without glands. Flowers in axillary or terminal racemes; bracteoles absent. Sepals 5. Petals 5, subequal, usually yellow. Stamens 10; filaments of all stamens straight, sometimes 10 fertile, subequal, sometimes 3 adaxial stamens staminodes, (6 or)7 fertile; anther thecae not ciliate along suture. Legume either indehiscent or inertly dehiscent through 1 or both sutures, in last case not coiling, sometimes valves breaking up into 1-seeded joints. Seeds numerous, funicle filiform.
Herbs, shrubs or trees, not armed. Lvs paripinnate or reduced to phyllodes; petiolar glands often present; stipules various. Infl. axillary, racemose or paniculate; bracts and bracteoles various. Calyx with a very short tube and 5, often unequal, segments imbricate in bud. Corolla usually yellow, rarely white; petals subequal. Stamens free, 10 and all fertile, or some reduced to staminodes, or 5 and fertile; anthers uniform or a few larger, basifixed, opening by the apex. Style curved; stigma terminal. Pod various, compressed or terete, 1-2-valved, or indehiscent.
Herbs, shrubs and small trees. Leaves spirally arranged; extrafloral nectaries present or not. Inflorescences racemose, axillary and/or terminal; bracteoles absent. Sepals 5. Petals 5, subequal. Androecium basically 10-merous; filaments of all stamens straight; anther-thecae not ciliate along the sutures. Pods either indehiscent or inertly dehiscent through 1 or both sutures, in the last case not coiling or the valves breaking up in one-seeded joints. Seeds and funicle variable.
Stamens 10, all with almost straight filaments which are not more than twice the length of their anther; anthers basifixed, dehiscing by terminal pores only.
Pods cylindrical, flattened or winged, often transversely septate inside, tardily dehiscent (not elastically) or indehiscent.
Inflorescence racemose or paniculate; bracts often prominent but usually falling at or before anthesis; bracteoles absent.
Leaves paripinnate; leaflets opposite or subopposite; stipules various but often persistent and prominent.
Ovary stipitate, curved; ovules numerous; stigma terminal or subterminal.
Trees, shrubs or woody herbs, unarmed (in the Flora area).
Calyx lobes 5, equal or subequal.
Seeds numerous, areolate.
Petals 5, yellow.