Herbs, shrubs, or small trees. Leaves abruptly pinnate; leaflets opposite; rachis and petiole with or without glands. Flowers in axillary or terminal racemes; bracteoles absent. Sepals 5. Petals 5, subequal, usually yellow. Stamens 10; filaments of all stamens straight, sometimes 10 fertile, subequal, sometimes 3 adaxial stamens staminodes, (6 or)7 fertile; anther thecae not ciliate along suture. Legume either indehiscent or inertly dehiscent through 1 or both sutures, in last case not coiling, sometimes valves breaking up into 1-seeded joints. Seeds numerous, funicle filiform.

About 260 species: pantropical; 15 species (13 introduced) in China.