Trigonella Linn., Sp.Pl. 776. 1753. Gen.Pl.ed.5.338.1954; Baker in Hook. f., Fl.Brit.Ind. 2:87.1876; Ali in Pak.J.For.17(2):255.1967.
Annual herbs. Leaf pinnately trifoliolate, leaflets usually dentate; stipules adnate to petiole. Inflorescence solitary axillary or a head, or spike or short raceme. Bracts minute, bracteoles absent. Calyx teeth equal or unequal. Corolla yellow, blue or purplish, free from the staminal tube, deciduous. Stamens diadelphous, 9+1 or monadelphous, anthers uniform. Ovary sessile or stipitate, ovules numerous, style glabrous, stigma terminal. Fruit linear or oblong, straight or arcuate, dehiscing along one suture or indehiscent, continuous within, 1-many seeded.
A genus with about 70 species, having its centre of distribution along the Mediterranean; represented in Pakistan by 16 species.
Excluded Species
Trigonella dimorpha Blatter in J.Ind.Bot.Soc.9:204.1930.
Trigonella longi-pedunculata Blatter in J. Ind.Bot.Soc.9:204.1930.
Trigonella lasia Blatter in J. Bomb.Nat.Hist.Soc.36:479.1933.
Trigonella psilorhynchos Blatter in J. Bomb.Nat.Hist.Soc.36: 479. 1933.
The types or any other authentic material is presently untraceable, hence the identity of the above-mentioned species could not be determined.