Description: Herbs. Stipules persistent, fused to the petiole for most of their length, 2-fid.
Leaves pinnately 3-foliate.
Inflorescence dense, axillary or terminal with persistent and primary bracts. Calyx tube filiform, lobes membraneous, upper 4 connate. Petals and stamens inserted at apex of tube; stamens fused and connate into tube; anthers alternately large and basifixed, short; style long and filiform.
Fruits compressed, hooked at apex by persistent style.
Distribution and occurrence: 25 species worldwide, tropical and warm temperate regions. 2 species naturalised in Australia, both in the north coast of NSW, Qld.
Text by Louisa Murray
Taxon concept: Flora of Queensland, Vol 1 p305; www.zimbabweflora.co.zw
| | Key to the species | |
| 1 | Beak of fruits conspicuous, curved, 1.5–5 mm long; calyx lobes acute, c. 1.5 mm long | Stylosanthes humilis |
| Beak of fruits inconspicuous, 0.1–0.5 mm long; calyx lobes obtuse to acute, 3–5 mm long | Stylosanthes guianensis var. guianensis |
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