Scandent shrubs or lianas. Leaves large, simple; stipules very small. Racemes axillary, very short. Calyx cup-shaped, mem­branous. Corolla white; standard stipitate; wings falcate-oblong; keels similar to wings, slightly larger. Stamens 10, free. Ovary stalked, many ovuled; style subulate; stigma small, terminal. Legume ovoid or globose, dehiscent along sutures; valves membranous, leathery. Seeds oblong to globose, arillate.

Bowringia was treated by Breteler (Wageningen Agric. Univ. Pap. 94(4): 1-41. 1994) as a synonym of the African genus Leucomphalos Bentham ex J. E. Planchon.

About four species: WC Africa and Madagascar, one species in SE Asia including China.

(Authors: Bao Bojian (包伯坚); Michael A. Vincent)