Dichrostachys

Dichrostachys is an Old World genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae. Their Acacia-like leaves are bi-pinnately compound. Unlike Acacia their thorns are hardened branchlets rather than modified stipules. They are native from Africa to Australasia, but a centre of diversity is present in Madagascar.^[2]

Dichrostachys
Dichrostachys cinerea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Caesalpinioideae
Clade:	Mimosoid clade
Genus:	Dichrostachys (DC.) Wight & Arn. (1834)
Species
16; see text
Synonyms[1]
Cailliea Guill. & Perr. (1833)

Dichrostachys cinerea in flower

Their name is derived from the Greek words dis (two), chroos (colour) and stachys (grain ear or spike), which in combination suggests their bi-colored inflorescences.^[2]

Species

16 species are accepted:^[1]

• Dichrostachys akataensis Villiers
• Dichrostachys arborescens (Benth.) Villiers
• Dichrostachys bernieriana Baill.
• Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn.
• Dichrostachys dehiscens Balf. f.
• Dichrostachys dumetaria Villiers
• Dichrostachys kirkii Benth.
• Dichrostachys myriophylla Baker
• Dichrostachys paucifoliolata (Scott-Elliot) Drake
• Dichrostachys pervilleana (Baill.) Drake
• Dichrostachys richardiana Baill.
• Dichrostachys scottiana (Drake) Villiers
• Dichrostachys spicata (F.Muell.) Domin
• Dichrostachys tenuifolia Benth.
• Dichrostachys unijuga Baker
• Dichrostachys venosa Villiers

References

1. Dichrostachys (A.DC.) Wight & Arn. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
2. Cheek, Michael (September 2009). "Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn". PlantZAfrica. SANBI. Retrieved 16 November 2015.

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• Media related to Dichrostachys at Wikimedia Commons