3528.030 Tylosema Torre & Hillc.

Stems arising from a large underground tuber, prostrate and trailing or sometimes climbing. Tendrils present, forked. Leaves simple, 2-lobed. Inflorescence a lateral raceme. Flowers bisexual, yellow. Calyx 5-lobed, the upper 2 lobes ± fused, the others free. Petals 5; upper one smaller than the rest. Fertile stamens 2; other 7-8 staminodes. Style elongate. Pods dehiscent or indehiscent, woody, 1-2-seeded.

Derivation of name: Tylosema: refers to the torulose (beaded) seed

Worldwide: 4 species of eastern and central tropical Africa south to South Africa

Burundi: 1 taxon.