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

Genera native or naturalised (*) in southern Africa

List from Germishuizen (2000).

Abrus The 17 species are native to tropical and subtropical regions, with 2 species indigenous to southern Africa.
Aeschynomene More than 150 species, native to tropical and subtropical regions, mainly in Africa and South America. There are about 10 species indigenous to southern Africa.
* Alhagi The native distribution of the 3 species extends from the Mediterranean region to Nepal. Alhagi maurorum (= A. camelorum) has become naturalised in localised dry areas of the Northern and Western Cape and is a Category 1 declared invader plant in South Africa.
Alysicarpus About 25-30 species, found from Africa to Asia, with 4 species native to southern Africa.
Amphithalea About 21 species, endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape.
* Arachis About 22 species, native to South America. Peanut or Groundnut Arachis hypogaea is cultivated in southern Africa and also occurs in natural vegetation as an escape.
Argyrolobium About 70 species, native to Africa, and from southern Europe to India. There are about 50 species native to southern Africa.
Aspalathus About 278 species, the largest endemic genus of flowering plants in southern Africa, mainly found in 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 indigenous to southern Africa.
Baphia About 80 species, native to Africa and Madagascar, with 2 species indigenous to southern Africa.
Bituminaria Two species native in southern Africa.
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, native to Limpopo, northern Mpumalanga and Swaziland.
Bolusia The 5-6 species are found in dry regions of Africa south of the equator, with 2 species found in southern Africa (Namibia and Northern Cape).
* 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.
Calpurnia About 16 species, native to Africa, with about 7 species found in southern Africa.
Canavalia About 50 species, found widely in warm regions, with 6 species native to southern Africa.
* Clitoria About 70 species, native to the tropics, mainly the neotropics. Clitoria ternatea has become naturalised in southern Africa.
Coelidium About 20 species, endemic to Western, Northern and Eastern Cape.
Cordyla The 5 species are native to Africa and Madagascar, with one species, Cordyla africana (Wild mango), found in southern Africa.
Craibia The 10 species are native to tropical Africa, with one species, Craibia zimmermannii, found in southern Africa.
Crotalaria About 600 species, native mainly to the tropics and subtropics, with about 64 species occurring in southern Africa.
Cullen About 40 species, with a distribution extending from Africa, through to India, Burma, Phillipines, Papua New Guinea and Australia. Four species are native to southern Africa.
Cyamopsis About 4 species, distributed from Africa to India, with 2 species native to southern Africa.
Cyclopia About 20 species, endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape.
* Cytisus (Tree Lucerne) A number of species have been introduced to southern Africa as fodder plants, some of which have become naturalised.
Dalbergia About 100 species, native to warm regions, with 7 species native to southern Africa.
Decorsea About 4 species, native to Africa and Madagascar, with 3 species found in southern Africa.
Derris About 50 species, native to the Old World tropics, with 1 species, Derris trifoliolata (= Derris uliginosa) found in southern Africa.
Desmodium About 300 species, native to tropical and subtropical regions, with 10 species found in southern Africa.
Dichilus All 5 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 about 12 species found in southern Africa.
Dumasia About 8 species, found from Africa through to Asia, with one species, Dumasia villosa, native to southern Africa.
Eriosema About 130 species, found in tropical and subtropical regions, with about 36 species occurring in southern Africa.
Erythrina About 100 species, native to warm regions, with 9 species occurring in southern Africa.
Flemingia About 30 species, native to the Old World tropics, with 1 species, Flemingia grahamiana, occurring in southern Africa.
Galactia About 50 species, found in the tropics and subtropics (mainly New World), with 1 species, Galactia tenuiflora, occurring in southern Africa.
* Glycyrrhiza About 20 species, most of them in Eurasia, but also distributed across to Australia, and in North America and temperate South America. Glycyrrhiza glabra has become naturalised in the Western and Eastern Cape.
Hallia The 9 species are all endemic to the Western Cape.
Hypocalyptus The 3 species are endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape.
Indigastrum About 9 species, mainly south tropical Africa but one species occurring throughout the tropics. Eight species occur in southern Africa.
Indigofera About 730 species, occurring mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, with more than 210 species native to southern Africa.
Kotschya About 31 species, native to tropical Africa and Madagascar, with 2 species found in southern Africa.
Lablab One species: Lablab purpureus, which is widespread in Africa, including in southern Africa.
Lebeckia About 35 species, endemic to southern Africa with the main concentration of species in the Cape.
* Lespedeza About 40 species, native to temperate North America, Asia and Australia. Lespedeza cuneata has become naturalised in KwaZulu-Natal and northern Eastern Cape.
Lessertia All 50 species are African and the vast majority (47) are native to southern Africa.
Liparia About 20 species, endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape.
Lonchocarpus About 100 species, native to tropical America and Africa, with 3 species found in southern Africa.
Lotononis About 150 species, mainly African, extending to the Mediterranean and to Pakistan. Almost all the species (144) are native to southern Africa.
Lotus About 100 species, widespread, with 1 species native to southern Africa. This genus is not to be confused with the common name lotus which applies to species of aquatic plants in the family Nelumbonaceae.
* Lupinus (lupins) About 200 species, native to the Americas, and Mediterranean Europe through to the highlands of East Africa. All 4 species in southern Africa are introduced and naturalised and are grown as a cover crop in the Western Cape.
Macrotyloma About 24 species, native to Africa and Asia, with 6 species found in southern Africa.
* Medicago About 50 species, native to Europe, Africa and Asia. No indigenous species in southern Africa but 4 species that are naturalised. 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, usually found in the vicinity of cultivated lands.
Melolobium About 20 species, endemic to southern Africa.
Microcharis About 35 species, native to Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula, with 3 species in southern Africa.
Millettia About 100 species, found in tropical and subtropical regions, with 2 species indigenous in southern Africa.
Mucuna About 100 species, widespread in warm regions, with 3 species native to southern Africa.
Mundulea About 15 species, all endemic to Madagascar, except Mundulea sericea (= Mundulea suberosa) which is found in southern Africa.
Neonotonia One species: Neonotonia wightii (= Glycine wightii), distributed in Africa through to Asia, including in southern Africa.
Neorautanenia Three species, African, with two of them native to southern Africa.
Ophrestia About 13 species, native to Africa and Asia, with 1 species, Ophrestia oblongifolia, found in southern Africa.
Ormocarpum About 20 species, native to the Old World tropics, with 2 species found in southern Africa.
* Ornithopus About 6 species, native to Europe, Mediterranean region, western Asia, Atlantic Islands and South America. Ornithopus sativus is a naturalised species in the Western Cape.
Otholobium Over 40 species, African, with ? species occurring in southern Africa.
Otoptera Two species, native to Africa, with one of them, Otoptera burchellii (= Vigna burchellii), native to southern Africa.
Pearsonia About 7 species, most of which (how many?) occur in southern Africa.
Philenoptera Four species indigenous to southern Africa.
Podalyria About 25 species, endemic to southern Africa, ranging from the Western Cape through to KwaZulu-Natal.
Polhillia About 7 species, all endemic to the Western Cape.
Pseudarthria About 6 species, occurring from southern Africa to Asia, Madagascar, Mauritius and Réunion, with one species, Pseudarthria hookeri, native to southern Africa.
Psoralea About 20 species, endemic to southern Africa, mainly in fynbos.
Pterocarpus About 20 species, found in tropical regions, with 3 species native to southern Africa.
Ptycholobium All 3 species are native to southern Africa.
* Pueraria About 20 species, native to Asia. One species, Pueraria lobata (Kudzu vine, Kudzuranker), has become naturalised in Mpumalanga and is a declared Category 1 invasive plant in South Africa.
Rafnia About 22 species, endemic to southern Africa, occurring from the Western Cape through to KwaZulu-Natal.
Requienia About 3 species, all African, with 2 of them found in southern Africa.
Rhynchosia About 200 species, found throughout the tropics and subtropics, with about 70 species indigenous to southern 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.
Rothia Two species, native from Africa to India and Australia, with one of them, Rothia hirsuta, occurring in southern Africa.
Sesbania Over 50 species, native to warm regions and usually growing in wet places. About 18 species native to southern Africa. Sesbania punicea (Red sesbania, Rooi sesbania) is naturalised in the region and is a declared Category 1 invasive plant in South Africa.
Smithia About 30 species, native to the Old World tropics, with 1 species, Smithia erubescens, occurring in southern Africa.
Sophora About 50 species, native to warm regions worldwide, with 1 species, Sophora inhambensis, indigenous to southern Africa. In addition, Sophora japonica and Sophora secundiflora are grown as garden ornamentals and street trees.
* 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.
Sphenostylis The 7 or 8 species are native to Africa and India, with 2 species found in southern Africa.
Stirtonanthus The 3 species are endemic to the Western Cape.
Stylosanthes About 25 species, native to tropical and subtropical regions, with 1 species, Stylosanthes fruticosa (= Stylosanthes mucronata), occurring in southern Africa.
Sutherlandia The 5 species are native to Africa, mainly southern Africa.
Swartzia About 127 species, mainly occurring in tropical America but with 2 species in Africa. Swartzia madagascariensis is the only species indigenous to southern Africa.
Tephrosia Over 400 species, native to warm regions, with about 53 species in southern Africa.
Teramnus About 8 species, widely distributed in warm regions, with 1 species, Teramnus labialis, indigenous to southern Africa.
Trifolium (clovers) About 250 species, widely distributed in temperate and subtropical regions, with 19 species (included some naturalised species) in southern Africa.
Trigonella About 80 species, native to the Mediterranean region, central Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. Two species are indigenous to southern 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.
* Vicia There are a number [how many?] of naturalised species in southern Africa.
Vigna About 160 species, widespread in tropical regions, with about 18 species native to southern Africa.
Virgilia The 2 species are endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape.
Wiborgia About 10 species, endemic to the Northern and Western Cape.
Xanthocercis The 2 species are native to Africa and Madagascar, with 1 species, Xanthocercis zambesiaca (= Pseudocadia zambesiaca), occurring in southern Africa.
Xeroderris One species: Xeroderris stuhlmannii (= Ostryoderris stuhlmannii), found in savanna regions of tropical Africa, including in southern Africa.
Xiphotheca About 9 species, endemic to fynbos of the southern Cape region.
Zornia About 80 species, mainly native to Brazil. Four species are indigenous to southern Africa.

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 Indigenous to the Mediterranean.
Adesmia
Amorpha fruticosa (Bastard indigo) Indigenous from eastern Canada to Mexico.
Anagyris foetida (Bois puant) Indigenous to the Mediterranean.
Anthyllis Three species cultivated.
Baptisia australis Indigenous to eastern USA.
Barklya syringifolia Indigenous to northeast Australia.
Biserrula pelecinus Indigenous from Greece to Portugal.
Butea Two species cultivated.
Cadia purpurea (Gadi, Hezaus, Salalma Indigenous from Kenya to Arabia.
Calicotome spinosa Indigenous from Spain to Italy.
Caragana Three species cultivated.
Carmichaelia Two species cultivated.
Castanospermum australe (Australian Chestnut, Moreton Bay Chestnut) Indigenous to eastern Australia.
Centrolobium robustum (Zebrawood) Indigenous to Brazil.
Centrosema Two species cultivated.
Chamaespartium sagittale Indigenous to Europe.
Chorizema Two species cultivated.
Cicer Two species cultivated including Cicer arietinum (Chickpea).
Cladrastis Two species cultivated.
Clianthus formosus (Desert pea, Sturt's desert pea) Indigenous to Australia.
Colutea Two species cultivated.
Coronilla Seven species cultivated.
Dalea
Dorycnium Two species cultivated.
Galega officinalis (Goat's rue) Indigenous from Europe to Pakistan.
Genista Ten species cultivated.
Gliricidia sepium (Madriado, Cacahuananche) Indigenous 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 Indigenous from Pakistan to Sri Lanka.
Hardenbergia Two species cultivated.
Hedysarum coronarium (French honeysuckle) Indigenous to Europe.
Hippocrepis Three species cultivated.
Hymenocarpus circinnatus Indigenous from Spain to Israel.
Kennedia Three species cultivated.
Laburnum Two species and one hybrid cultivated.
Lathyrus 17 species cultivated.
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 Indigenous from Siberia to Taiwan.
Macroptilium bracteatum Indigenous to Brazil.
Myroxylon Two species cultivated.
Onobrychis viciifolia (Sainfoin) Indigenous to central and western Europe.
Ononis Five species cultivated.
Pachyrhizus erosus (Yam bean) Indigenous to Mexico.
Parochetus communis (Shamrock pea) Indigenous from mountains of tropical Africa through to southeast Asia.
Phaseolus Nine species cultivated, including Phaseolus lunatus (lima bean / butter bean) and Phaseolus vulgaris (many varieties including Green beans, Large white beans, Flageolet, Black bean, Borlotto bean, Red kidney bean, Cannellino bean)
Piscidia Two species cultivated.
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 Indigenous from central America to Brazil.
Platypodium elegans Indigenous to Brazil.
Scorpiurus Two species cultivated.
Securigera securidaca Indigenous from Spain to Azerbaijan.
Stongylodon macrobotrys (Jade vine) Indigenous to the Phillipines.
Swainsonia Three species cultivated.
Sweetia fruticosa (Sucupira) Indigenous from Brazil to Bolivia.
Teline Three species cultivated.
Templetonia retusa (Coral bush) Indigenous to Australia.
Thermopsis Two species cultivated.
Tipuana tipu (Tipu tree) Indigenous to Bolivia and Argentina. A declared Category 3 invader plant in South Africa.
Wisteria Three species cultivated.

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.