PlantaeFabalesLeguminosaeDuanLeiYangXueLiuPeiliangJohnsonGabrielWenJunChangZhaoyangA molecular phylogeny of Caraganeae (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) reveals insights into new generic and infrageneric delimitationsPhytoKeys410201620167011113710.3897/phytokeys.70.9641 Caragana Fabr., Enum. Ed. 2. 421. 1763, emend. nov. L.Duan, J.Wen & Zhao Y.Chang Calophaca Fisch. ex DC., Prod. 2: 270. 1825, syn. nov. Type: Calophaca wolgarica Fisch., Prod. 2: 270. 1825. Halimodendron Fisch. ex DC., Prod. 2: 269. 1825, syn. nov. Type: Halimodendron halodendron (Pall.) Druce, Rep. Bot. Soc. Exch. Club Brit. Isles 4: 626. 1917. Type.

Caragana arborescens Lam., Encycl. 1(2): 615. 1785.

Description.

Shrubs, subshrubs or rarely small trees. Stipules caducous or persistent. Leaves paripinnate, rarely imparipinnate (Chesneya sect. Calophaca), 4–27-foliolate; leaflet blades with margin entire. Lax raceme or fascicled flowers axillary, or flowers solitary. Calyx tubular or campanulate, base usually oblique, teeth 5. Corolla yellow, purple, pink or white; standard ovate to suborbicular, clawed or reflexed at margin; wings and keel often auriculate. Stamens diadelphous (9+1). Ovary sessile to stipitate, with ovule 1-many; style filiform. Pod inflated, compressed, cylindric or linear, dehiscent or rarely indehiscent (Chesneya sect. Halimodendron), with twisted or thickened valve.

Distribution and habitat.

This genus contains ca. 100 species, ranging from eastern Europe, Caucasus, western and central Asia, Sino-Himalayan region to Mongolia and Siberia.