Dichrostachys

Dichrostachys
Dichrostachys cinerea
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Clade: Mimosoid clade
Genus: Dichrostachys
(DC.) Wight & Arn. (1834)
Species

16; see text

Synonyms

Cailliea Guill. & Perr. (1833)

Dichrostachys cinerea in flower

Dichrostachys is an Old World genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae. Their Acacia-like leaves are bi-pinnately compound. Unlike Acacia their thorns are hardened branchlets rather than modified stipules. They are native from Africa to Australasia, but a centre of diversity is present in Madagascar.

Their name is derived from the Greek words dis (two), chroos (colour) and stachys (grain ear or spike), which in combination suggests their bi-colored inflorescences.

Species

16 species are accepted:

References

  1. ^ a b Dichrostachys (A.DC.) Wight & Arn. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b Cheek, Michael (September 2009). "Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn". PlantZAfrica. SANBI. Retrieved 16 November 2015.