Tree of 20–40 ft., wholly glabrous, or the inflorescence often puberulous; extremities slender, divaricately branched. Leaflets usually in 4 pairs, membranous or thinly coriaceous, shining and venose, varying from oval or lanceolate to oblong-elliptical, often gradually obtusely acuminate or broadly pointed obtuse or minutely emarginate, base unequal, narrowed or obtuse, midrib slightly eccentric; 1–2 in. long, 1/3– 3/4 in. broad, the upper usually the larger, subsessile, or the upper margin of the lamina 1/2–1 line above the lower; common petiole slender 1/2–1 in. between each pair of leaflets bearing at the insertion of each a pair of small glands. Flowers “greenish-white,” in very dense, terminal, simple, or slightly branched racemes 1–3 in. long. Bracts very early caducous, very small, linear (Mr. Bentham). Involucral bracteoles 3–4 lines long, thin, elliptical or obovate, pubescent outside, spreading at flowering. Perianth reduced to 2 (or 3) minute, narrow-linear or -spathulate ciliolate unequal scales, 1 line long or less. Staminal tube shorter than the stipes of the pilose ovary. Style elongate glabrous. Ovules 5–6. Legume 2-valved, oblong, 3 1/2–4 1/2 in. long, 1–1 1/2 in. broad; valves thin but very hard and woody, smooth and glabrous externally. Seeds compressed, elliptical or obovate, 1/2– 3/4 in. long.
