Woody climbers less commonly trees or shrubs. Leaf imparipinnate, leaflets opposite, stipels present or absent; stipules small and caducous. Inflorescence a raceme or panicle. Bract and bracteoles small. Calyx cupulate and subtruncate or with very short teeth. Corolla white, pink or purple. Vexillum ovate to obovate or suborbicular, usually with auricles or calluses at the base. Wing adhering to keel petal. Stamens monadelphous, vexillary stamen free at the base only. Ovary often subsessile, few-ovulate, style glabrous above, stigma terminal. Fruit flat, indehiscent, upper or both the sutures winged. Seed reniform or orbicular.

A genus with about 70 species, mainly distributed in the tropical regions of the world; locally represented by one cultivated species.

Lower Taxon

• Derris scandens (Roxb.) Benth.

Related Synonym(s):

• Dalbergia scandens Roxb. = Derris scandens (Roxb.) Benth.