Eriosema

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

Description

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.

Selected species

• Eriosema campestre <small>Benth.</small> — Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil
• Eriosema chinense <small>Vogel</small> — South-East Asia, East Himalaya, India, New Guinea, Australia
• Eriosema defoliatum <small>Benth.</small> — Brazil
• Eriosema glabrum <small>Mart. ex Benth.</small> — Argentina, Brazil
• Eriosema glaziovii <small>Harms</small> — Brazil
• Eriosema harmsianum <small>Dinter</small> — Namibia
• Eriosema kraussianum <small>Meisn.</small> — South Africa
• Eriosema longifolium <small>Benth.</small> — Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay
• Eriosema salignum <small>E.Mey.</small> — South Africa
• Eriosema stenophyllum <small>Harms</small> — Brazil

Uses

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

References