Eriosema is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae. Accepted species number over 150.[1] The genus is widespread in tropics.

Eriosema
Eriosema campestre, Brazil
Scientific classification Edit this 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

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Synonyms

Description

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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]

Selected species

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Uses

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Root tubers of Eriosema species have been traditional food for Aborigines of the Northern Territory.[4]

References

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  1. ^ The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Published on the Internet; http://www.theplantlist.org/ (accessed 2014/08/27)
  2. ^ Manning, John C.. (2013). Field guide to wild flowers of South Africa. Cape Town: Random House Struik. p. 288. ISBN 9781920544874.
  3. ^ "Flora of China, Vol. 10". www.efloras.org. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  4. ^ NTFlora Northern Territory Flora online: Flora of the Darwin Region: Fabaceae. Retrieved 10 June 2018