3910.010 Alistylus N.E. Br.

Procumbent herbs or twiners. Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets characteristically ovate-rhombic, the terminal ones usually rounded, lobed on each side at the base, the lateral leaflets with a lobe on the outer side only; stipules ovate, prominently nerved; stipels present, flat and spathulate. Inflorescences held erect, pseudoracemose, the branches reduced to small nodules; bracteoles small, soon falling. Calyx tube cupular; lowest tooth and lateral teeth shortly triangular or ovate-triangular, the 2 upper teeth joined to form a notched lobe. Standard round, slightly emarginate with 2–4 callous appendages, auricled; wings with backwardly directed spur; keel rounded and not sharply angled in the middle, very obtuse at the apex. Ovary linear with 5–8 ovules; style conspicuously laterally flattened and blade-like throughout its length, forming ± a right angle with the ovary, thin along each margin so as to appear winged on both sides, glabrous; stigma scarcely to distinctly penicillate. Fruit pods falcate, flat, dehiscent.

Worldwide: Species 3 in tropical Africa and Madagascar.

Botswana: 1 taxon.