Cassia mimosoidesL. [family LEGUMINOSAE-CAESALPINIOIDEAE], (1753). [type as above]
Information
Erect or prostrate annual or short-lived perennial; stem crisped pubescent to densely spreading pilose. Leaves 0.6–10 cm long; gland near top of petiole, sessile, circular, 0.4–1 mm in diam.; rhachis serrate- or crenate-crested along upper side; leaflets sessile, in 16–76 pairs, obliquely oblong to elliptic-oblong or linear-oblong, (2–)2.5–9 x 0.5–1.25(–2) mm, glabrous or subglabrous except sometimes for ciliolate margins; midrib somewhat eccentric. Inflorescences axillary or supra-axillary, 1–3-flowered; pedicels 0.3–2.5(–3) cm long. Sepals acute. Petals yellow, 4–13 mm long. Pods linear to linear-oblong, (1.5–)3.5–8 x 0.3–0.5 cm, flat, elastically dehiscent. Seeds brown, subrhombic, 2–3 x 1–2 mm, without areoles.
Range
S3 widespread in the Old World tropics.
Altitude range
less than 100 m.
Distribution
SOMALIA Bavazzano & Tardelli 817; Lanza s.n.
Notes
This variable species of Chamaecrista is easily recognised by the definite raised wing-like projection running along the upper side of the leaf-rhachis, whose outline seen from sideways is more or less distinctly crenate or serrate, the sinuses corresponding to the points of insertion of the leaflets.
