Papilionoideae

Subfamily: Papilionoideae

Life > eukaryotes > Archaeoplastida > Chloroplastida > Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants) > Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants) > Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering plants) > Eudicotyledons > Core Eudicots > Rosids > Eurosid I > Fabales > Family: Fabaceae

About 476 genera and 13857 species, distributed worldwide, with 99 genera and 1648 species native to southern Africa, 18 genera and 65 species naturalised, and a further 61 genera and 264 species cultivated in the region.

Genera native to southern Africa

List from Germishuizen (2000).

Abrus Seventeen species, native to tropical and subtropical regions, with four species native to southern Africa.
Adenodolichos Fifteen species (tropical Africa), of which one Adenodolichos punctatus is native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe).
Aeschynomene More than 150 species, native to tropical and subtropical regions, mainly in Africa and South America. There are about 28 species native to southern Africa, and a further three species that are cultivated in the region.
Alistilus One species native to southern Africa - Alistilus bechuanicus.
Alysicarpus About 25-30 species, native from Africa to Asia, with five species native to southern Africa.
Amphithalea About 70 species, native to Africa, and from southern Europe to India. Forty-two species native to southern Africa.
Antopetitia One species, Antopetitia abyssinica, native to tropical Africa (including Zimbabwe).
Argyrolobium About 70 species, native to Africa, and from southern Europe to India. Forty-nine species native to southern Africa.
Aspalathus The largest endemic genus of flowering plants in southern Africa with a total of 279 species, mainly native to the Western Cape but extending as far north as KwaZulu-Natal. Includes Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos tea).
Astragalus About 2000 species worldwide, especially diverse in the temperate regions of Asia. Astragalus atropilosulus is the only species native to southern Africa; in addition there is one species naturalised and four species that are cultivated in the region.
Baphia About 80 species, native to Africa and Madagascar, with three species native to southern Africa.
Bituminaria Two species native in southern Africa.
Bobgunnia One species native to southern Africa - Bobgunnia madagascariensis.
Bolusafra One species: Bolusafra bituminosa, endemic to the Western Cape. See revision: Moteetee, A. and van Wyk, B.-E. 2006. A revision of the genus Bolusafra (tribe Phaseoleae, Fabaceae). South African Journal of Botany 72(4): 604-608.
Bolusanthus One species: Bolusanthus speciosus (Tree wisteria), native to Limpopo, northern Mpumalanga and Swaziland.
Bolusia The 5-6 species are native to dry regions of Africa south of the equator, with two species found in southern Africa (Namibia and Northern Cape).
Calobota Thirteen species native to southern Africa. Previously considered to be part of Lebeckia.
Calpurnia About 16 species (Africa), with nine species native to southern Africa.
Canavalia About 50 species, found widely in warm regions, with six species native to southern Africa.
Cordyla Five species, native to Africa and Madagascar, with one species, Cordyla africana (Wild mango), found in southern Africa.
Craibia Ten species, native to tropical Africa, with two species native to southern Africa and one species cultivated in the region.
Crotalaria About 600 species, native mainly to the tropics and subtropics, with 110 species native to southern Africa, four species naturalised, and a further six species that are cultivated in the region.
Cullen About 40 species, with a distribution extending from Africa, through to India, Burma, Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Australia. Three species are native to southern Africa.
Cyamopsis About five species, distributed from Africa to India, with three species native to southern Africa and one species naturalised in the region.
Cyclopia Twenty-three species, endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape.
Dalbergia About 159 species, native to warm regions, with 10 species native to southern Africa and one that is naturalised in the region.
Dalbergiella Three species, distributed in tropical Africa, of which one Dalbergiella nyasae is native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe and Mozambique).
Decorsea About four species, native to Africa and Madagascar, with three species found in southern Africa.
Derris One species native to southern Africa: Derris trifoliata (recorded from Mozambique).
Desmodium About 300 species, native to tropical and subtropical regions, with 15 species native to southern Africa and a further seven species that are cultivated in the region.
Dichilus All five species are native to southern Africa.
Dipogon One species: Dipogon lignosus [= Dolichos lignosus, Dolichos gibbosus], endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape.
Dolichos About 60 species, native from Africa through to east Asia, with 16 species found in southern Africa.
Dumasia About eight species, found from Africa through to Asia, with one species, Dumasia villosa, native to southern Africa.
Eminia Four species distributed in tropical Africa, of which two are native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe and Mozambique).
Eriosema About 130 species, occurring in tropical and subtropical regions, with 46 species native to southern Africa.
Erythrina About 130 species, occurring in warm regions of the world, with nine species native to southern Africa, two species naturalised, and a further 10 species and two hybrids that are cultivated in the region.
Flemingia About 30 species, occurring in the Old World tropics, with one species, Flemingia grahamiana, native to southern Africa.
Galactia About 50 species, found in the tropics and subtropics (mainly New World), with two species native to southern Africa: Galactia tenuiflora and Galactia striata (recorded from Zimbabwe and Mozambique).
Hypocalyptus Three species, endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape.
Indigastrum About nine species, mainly south tropical Africa but one species occurring throughout the tropics. Eight species native to southern Africa.
Indigofera About 730 species, occurring mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, with 232 species native to southern Africa.
Kotschya About 31 species, native to tropical Africa and Madagascar, with seven species recorded from southern Africa.
Lablab One species: Lablab purpureus, which is widespread in Africa, including in southern Africa. Subspecies uncinatus is considered native to southern Africa whereas subspecies purpureus is considered to be naturalised in the region.
Lebeckia Fourteen species, endemic to southern Africa with the main concentration of species in the Cape.
Lessertia About 59 species, 56 of which are native to southern Africa.
Liparia About 20 species, endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape.
Lotononis About 150 species, mainly African, extending to the Mediterranean and to Pakistan. Almost all the species (142) are native to southern Africa.
Lotus About 100 species, widespread, with four species native to southern Africa, two species naturalised, and an additional 11 species that are cultivated in the region. This genus is not to be confused with the common name lotus which applies to species of aquatic plants in the genus Nelumbo (family: Nelumbonaceae).
Macrotyloma About 24 species (Africa and Asia), with 10 species native to southern Africa.
Melolobium Fifteen species, endemic to southern Africa.
Microcharis About 35 species, native to Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula, with four species in southern Africa.
Millettia About 100 species, found in tropical and subtropical regions, with four species native to southern Africa and a further seven species that are cultivated in the region.
Mucuna About 100 species, widespread in warm regions, with five species native to southern Africa and a further three species that are cultivated in the region.
Mundulea About 15 species, all endemic to Madagascar, except Mundulea sericea (= Mundulea suberosa), which is native to southern Africa.
Neonotonia One species: Neonotonia wightii (= Glycine wightii), distributed in Africa through to Asia, including in southern Africa.
Neorautanenia Three species, all native to southern Africa.
Ophrestia About 13 species (Africa and Asia), with two species, Ophrestia oblongifolia and Ophrestia unifoliolata (recorded from Zimbabwe), native to southern Africa.
Ormocarpum About 20 species (Old World tropics), with three species native to southern Africa.
Otholobium Forty five species native to southern Africa.
Otoptera Two species, native to Africa, with one of them, Otoptera burchellii (= Vigna burchellii), native to southern Africa.
Pearsonia About 13 species, 12 of which are native to southern Africa.
Pericopsis Four species distributed in tropical Africa, of which one Pericopsis angolensis is native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe).
Philenoptera Five species native to southern Africa.
Podalyria Twenty-five species, endemic to southern Africa, ranging from the Western Cape through to KwaZulu-Natal.
Polhillia Six species, all endemic to the Western Cape.
Pseudarthria About six species, occurring from southern Africa to Asia, Madagascar, Mauritius and Réunion, with one species, Pseudarthria hookeri, native to southern Africa.
Pseudaminia Four species worldwide, all occurring in tropical Africa, of which one Pseudominia comosa is native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe).
Psophocarpus About 10 species worldwide in the Old World tropics, of which two, Psophocarpus scandens and Psophocarpus lancifolius is native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe).
Psoralea Thirty-six species, endemic to southern Africa, mainly in fynbos.
Pterocarpus About 20 species, found in tropical regions, with four species native to southern Africa and a further two species that are cultivated in the region.
Ptycholobium All three species are native to southern Africa.
Rafnia Nineteen species, endemic to southern Africa, occurring from the Western Cape through to KwaZulu-Natal.
Requienia About three species, all African, with two of them native to southern Africa.
Rhynchosia About 200 species, found throughout the tropics and subtropics, with 79 species native to southern Africa and a further species that is cultivated in the region.
Rothia Two species, native from Africa to India and Australia, with one of them, Rothia hirsuta, occurring in southern Africa.
Sesbania Fifty-two species, native to warm regions and usually growing in wet places. Eighteen species native to southern Africa, three are naturalised and a further two are cultivated in the region. Sesbania punicea (Red sesbania, Rooi sesbania) is a declared Category 1 invasive plant in South Africa.
Smithia About 30 species (Old World tropics), with one species, Smithia erubescens, native to southern Africa.
Sophora About 60-70 species (warm regions worldwide), with three species native to southern Africa, and an additional four species that are cultivated in the region.
Sphenostylis The seven or eight species are native to Africa and India, with five species found in southern Africa.
Stirtonanthus Three species, endemic to the Western Cape.
Stylosanthes About 25 species, native to tropical and subtropical regions, with one species, Stylosanthes fruticosa, occurring in southern Africa, and a further three species from Central and South America that are cultivated in the region.
Sutherlandia The five species are all native to southern Africa.
Swartzia About 127 species, mainly occurring in tropical America but with two species in Africa. Swartzia madagascariensis is the only species native to southern Africa.
Tephrosia Over 400 species, native to warm regions, with 67 species native to southern Africa.
Teramnus About eight species, widely distributed in warm regions, with three species native to southern Africa.
Trifolium (clovers) About 250 species, widely distributed in temperate and subtropical regions, with five species native to southern Africa, 15 species that are naturalised, and a further 15 species that are cultivated in the region.
Trigonella About 130 species, native to the Mediterranean region, central Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. One species is native to southern Africa, two species are naturalised, and a further three species are cultivated in the region.
Uraria Twenty species worldwide (Old World tropics), of which one Uraria picta is native to Zimbabwe.
Vigna About 160 species, widespread in tropical regions, with 20 species native to southern Africa, one species is naturalised, and a further three species are cultivated in the region.
Virgilia Two species, endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape.
Wajira One species recorded in southern Africa, native to Zimbabwe - Wajira grahamiana [= Vigna macroryncha].
Wiborgia Nine species, endemic to the Northern and Western Cape.
Wiborgiella Nine species native to southern Africa.
Xanthocercis The two species are native to Africa and Madagascar, with one species, Xanthocercis zambesiaca (= Pseudocadia zambesiaca), native to southern Africa.
Xeroderris One species: Xeroderris stuhlmannii (= Ostryoderris stuhlmannii), native to savanna regions of tropical Africa, including in southern Africa.
Xiphotheca About nine species, endemic to fynbos of the southern Cape region.
Zornia About 80 species, mainly native to Brazil. Five species are native to southern Africa.

Genera naturalised in southern Africa

List from Germishuizen (2000).

Alhagi The native distribution of the three species extends from the Mediterranean region to Nepal. Alhagi maurorum has become naturalised in localised dry areas of the Northern and Western Cape and is a Category 1 declared invader plant in South Africa.
Arachis About 22 species, native to South America. Arachis hypogaea (Peanut or Groundnut) (see Flora of Zimbabwe) is cultivated in southern Africa and also occurs in natural vegetation as an escape. In addition, Arachis repens (Amendoim rasteiro), which is native to Brazil, is cultivated in southern Africa.
Cajanus Two species, of which the one, Pigeonpea Cajanus cajan, is cultivated widely in the tropics, and has become naturalised in the northerly parts of southern Africa. \
Clitoria About 70 species, native to the tropics, mainly the neotropics. Clitoria ternatea has become naturalised in southern Africa and there are a further two species that are cultivated in the region.
Cytisus About 30-35 species (Europe, North Africa and southwestern Asia), with one species naturalised in southern Africa (Common broom - Cytisus scoparius), and a further eight species and one hybrid that are cultivated in the region.
Genista About 87 species (Europe, Canary Islands, Mediterranean to western Asia); one species is naturalised in southern Africa and an additional nine species are cultivated in the region.
Glycyrrhiza (liquorice genus) About 20 species, most of them in Eurasia, but also distributed across to Australia, and in North America and temperate South America. Glycyrrhiza glabra (Liquorice) has become naturalised in the Western and Eastern Cape. In addition, Glycyrrhiza echinata (native from eastern Mediterranean to southwestern Asia) is cultivated in southern Africa.
Lespedeza About 30 species (eastern North America, easter and southern Asia and Australasia), with one species naturalised in southern Africa, and a further three species that are cultivated in the region.
Lupinus (lupins) About 200 species, native to the Americas, and Mediterranean Europe through to the highlands of East Africa. Five species naturalised in southern Africa and a further nine species are cultivated in the region.
Macroptilium Two species are cultivated in southern Africa, one of which, Macroptilium atropurpureum occurs as a naturalised species in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Medicago (lucerne genus) About 50 species, native to Europe, Africa and Asia. No indigenous species in southern Africa but five species and one hybrid are naturalised, and an additional seven species are cultivated in the region. Medicago sativa (Alfalfa, Lucerne, Medic) is an important forage crop.
Melilotus About 20 species, native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. There are three naturalised species in southern Africa, and an additional four species that are cultivated in the region.
Ornithopus About six species, native to Europe, Mediterranean region, western Asia, Atlantic Islands and South America. Ornithopus sativus is a naturalised species in the Western Cape, and there are an additional two species of Ornthopus that are cultivated in southern Africa.
Pueraria About 20 species, native to Asia. One species, Pueraria lobata (Kudzu vine, Japanese arrowroot, Kudzuranker), has become naturalised in Mpumalanga and is a declared Category 1 invasive plant in South Africa.
Robinia About 20 species (or only 4 according to some authorities), native to America and Europe. Robinia pseudoacacia (Black locust, Witakasia) has become naturalised in southern Africa and is a declared Category 2 invasive plant in South Africa. In addition, Robinia hispida (Rose acacia, Kelsey locust) is cultivated in the region.
Spartium One species: Spartium junceum (Spanish broom, Spaanse besem), native to the Mediterranean region and southwest Europe and now naturalised in southern Africa. It is a declared Category 1 invasive plant in South Africa.
Ulex Ulex europaeus (European gorse, Gaspeldoring) has been introduced to southern Africa and has become naturalised in forest areas of the Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. It is a declared Category 1 invasive plant in South Africa. In addition, Ulex minor (Dwarf gorse), which is native to western Europe, is cultivated in the region.
Vicia (Broad bean genus) About 140 species, native to Europe, Asia and North Africa, with six species naturalised in southern Africa and a further 11 species that are cultivated in the region, including Vicia faba (Broad bean).	\

Other genera, cultivated in southern Africa

List from Glen (2002). The species name is provided in genera that have only one species represented in southern Africa.

Adenocarpus complicatus Native to the Mediterranean.
Adesmia Species details absent in Glen (2002).
Amorpha fruticosa (Bastard indigo) Native from eastern Canada to Mexico.
Anagyris foetida (Bois puant) Native to the Mediterranean.
Anthyllis Three species cultivated.
Baptisia australis Native to eastern USA.
Barklya syringifolia Native to northeast Australia.
Biserrula pelecinus Native from Greece to Portugal.
Butea Two species cultivated: Butea monosperma (Dhak, Flame-of-the-forest) (native from Pakistan to Indochina), and Butea superba (Lata palasha, Climbing palas) (native to Burma and Thailand).
Cadia purpurea (Gadi, Hezaus, Salalma) Native from Kenya to Arabia.
Calia secundiflora (Texas mescalbean) [= Sophora secundiflora] Native from Spain to Italy.
Calicotome spinosa Native from Spain to Italy.
Caragana About 80 species (Asia, eastern Europe); three species are cultivated in southern Africa.
Carmichaelia Two species cultivated: Carmichaelia aligera and Carmichaelia australis, both native to New Zealand.
Castanospermum australe (Australian Chestnut, Moreton Bay Chestnut) Native to eastern Australia.
Centrolobium robustum (Zebrawood) Native to Brazil.
Centrosema Two species cultivated: Centrosema plumieri (native to South America), and Centrosema pubescens (native to Brazil).
Chamaespartium sagittale Native to Europe.
Chorizema Two species cultivated: Chorizema cordatum and Chorizema varium, both native to western Australia.
Cicer Two species cultivated: Cicer arietinum (Chickpea) and Cicer trinitatis (native from Trinidad to Brazil).
Cladrastis kentukea (American yellowwood) Native to southern and central USA.
Clianthus formosus (Desert pea, Sturt's desert pea) Native to Australia.
Colutea Two species cultivated: Colutea arborescens (Bladder senna) (native to Europe), and Colutea melanocalyx, native to Turkey.
Coronilla About 20 species (Atlantic islands, Mediterranean, Europe); six species cultivated in southern Africa.
Dalea Unidentified species listed in Glen (2002).
Dendrolobium umbellatum [= Desmodium umbellatum] Has a wide distribution that includes tropical Africa, Asia, Australasia, Indian Ocean islands and Pacific islands. See Encyclopedia of Life.
Dorycnium Two species cultivated: Dorycnium herbaceum (native from France to Armenia) and Dorycnium pentaphyllum (native to the Mediterranean).
Galega officinalis (Goat's rue) Native from Europe to Pakistan.
Gliricidia sepium (Madriado, Cacahuananche) Native from Mexico to Guyana.
Glycine max (Soya bean) Domesticated in northeastern China from the wild Glycine soja, the earliest evidence of cultivation dating to 3000 years ago.
Goniogyna hirta Native from Pakistan to Sri Lanka.
Hardenbergia Two species cultivated: Hardenbergia comptoniana (Wild sarsaparilla) and Hardenbergia violacea (False sarsaparilla), both native to Australia.
Hedysarum coronarium (French honeysuckle) Native to Europe.
Hippocrepis About 21 species (Europe, western Asia, Mediterranean); three species are cultivated in southern Africa.
Hymenocarpus circinnatus Native from Spain to Israel.
Kennedia Sixteen species, native to Australia; three species are cultivated in southern Africa.
Laburnum Two species, native to the mountainous regions of central and southern Europe, from France to the Balkan Peninsula. Both species are cultivated in southern Africa.
Lathyrus (sweet peas and vetchlings) About 160 species (temperate regions of Europe, North America, Asia and tropical East Africa); 17 species have been cultivated in southern Africa.
Lens culinaris (Lentil) Originates from the Near East and central Asia. People were harvesting wild lentils by 11200 years ago and by 8800 years ago they were being cultivated.
Maackia amurensis Native from Siberia to Taiwan.
Myroxylon Two species cultivated: Myroxylon balsamum (Balsam of Tolu) (native from Mexico to Colombia), and Myroxylon peruiferum (native from Ecuador to Brazil).
Onobrychis viciifolia (Sainfoin) Native to central and western Europe.
Ononis (restharrows) About 75 species (Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Ethiopia and Iran); five species have been cultivated in southern Africa.
Pachyrhizus erosus (Yam bean) Native to Mexico.
Parochetus communis (Shamrock pea) Native from mountains of tropical Africa through to southeast Asia.
Phaseolus About 50 species, native to the Americas; nine species are cultivated in southern Africa including Phaseolus vulgaris, which includes most of the well-known edible bean varieties.
Piscidia Two species cultivated: Piscidia carthagenensis (Barbasco, Fish-poison tree) (native from Florida to Honduras), and Piscidia piscipula (Jamaica dogwood, Fish-fuddle tree) (native from Mexico to Ecuador).
Pisum sativum (Garden pea) Originates from the Near East, was being eaten by people at least 9500 years ago, and by 8500 years ago there is evidence of pea cultivation.
Platymiscium pinnatum Native from central America to Brazil.
Platypodium elegans Native to Brazil.
Scorpiurus Two species cultivated: Scorpiurus subvillosus (native from Portugal to Iran) and Scorpiurus vermiculatus (native from the western Mediterranean to Madeira).
Securigera securidaca Native from Spain to Azerbaijan.
Stongylodon macrobotrys (Jade vine) Native to the Philippines.
Styphnolobium japonica (Japanese pagoda tree) [= Sophora japonica] Native to China and Korea.
Swainsonia Two species cultivated in southern Africa, both native to Australia.
Sweetia fruticosa (Sucupira) Native from Brazil to Bolivia.
Teline Three species cultivated in southern Africa, all native to the Canary Islands and one also distributed in the western Mediterranean.
Templetonia retusa (Coral bush) Native to Australia.
Thermopsis Two species cultivated: Thermopsis fabacea and Thermopsis montana, both native to the western USA.
Tipuana tipu (Tipu tree) Native to Bolivia and Argentina. A declared Category 3 invader plant in South Africa.
Wisteria About 10 species (eastern USA, China, Korea and Japan); three species cultivated in southern Africa.

Publications

Germishuizen, G. 2000. Fabaceae. In: Seed Plants of Southern Africa (ed. O.A. Leistner). Strelitzia 10: 262-303. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
Glen, H.F. 2002. Cultivated Plants of Southern Africa. Jacana, Johannesburg.