Eriosema | |
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Eriosema campestre, Brazil | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Subfamily: | Faboideae |
Clade: | Millettioids |
Tribe: | Phaseoleae |
Subtribe: | Cajaninae |
Genus: |
Eriosema (DC.) Desv. |
Type species | |
Eriosema rufum | |
Species | |
See text | |
Synonyms | |
Eriosema is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae. Accepted species number over 150. [1] The genus is widespread in tropics.
Species of Eriosema are mostly herbs or shrublets. Leaves are pinnately 3-foliolate, rarely reduced to a single leaflet. Inflorescences are 1–2-flowered or pedunculate racemes in the leaf axils, yellow to orange, calyx is campanulate, consists of five similar lobes. Pods are short and flattened with two seeds. [2] [3]
Root tubers of Eriosema species have been traditional food for Aborigines of the Northern Territory. [4]