Morphological characters and geographic distribution are the same as those of the tribe.

Apart from Abrus precatorius, the species are not well defined, and one author (Breteler, Blumea 10: 607-624. 1960) has suggested a consider­able reduction in the number of species recognized. See, however, Verdcourt (Kew Bull. 24: 235-252. 1970) who is followed here.