Trees or shrubs. Leaves paripinnate, leaflets 2-4 pairs, opposite, the lowest pair at the base of the petiole. Inflorescence raceme or panicle. Bract and bracteoles caducous. Hypanthium turbinate with 4 imbricate sepals. Petals 5, subequal, imbricate, the upper enclosed by others. Stamens 10, free or shortly connate at the base, anthers uniform. Ovary stpitate, stipe adnate to the hypanthium, multiovu¬late, stigma terminal on elongated style. Fruit elongated, compressed, often curved, subindehiscent, rarely winged along the upper suture. Seeds compressed.

A genus with 18-20 species, distributed in S. Africa and tropical regions of the world.

Lower Taxon

• Schotia brachypetala Sond.