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Title: BOBGUNNIA, A NEW AFRICAN GENUS OF TRIBE SWARTZIEAE (FABACEAE, FABOIDEAE)

Author
item Kirkbride, Joseph
item Wiersema, John

Submitted to: Brittonia
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/27/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Members of the pea family (Fabaceae) or legumes include plant species that are economically important as a source of food but also as wood and pharmaceuticals. A monumental project on the identification of legume seeds will be useful to numerous agricultural scientists. During that study a problem was encountered in the accurate definition of the genus Schwartzia. As a result, a new genus Bobgunnia is established for species of Schwartzia that are occur outside of the Americas. Based on a variety of morphological characteristics particularly of the seeds, Bobgunnia is defined to include two species that produce a unique wood used in construction of furniture as well as firewood and charcoal. In addition, the seeds are used for fish poison and insecticide; recently one species has been used as an agent against schistosomiasis. With the recognition of this new genus, it will be possible to more accurately identify legumes based on their seeds. This will foster accurate exchange of plant germplasm and prevent the introduction of exotic weeds.

Technical Abstract: A new genus, Bobgunnia, is established in tribe Swartzieae for the African species of Swartzia. New combinations are made: B. fistuloides and B. madagascariensis. The new genus has seeds unlike the remainder of tribe Swartzieae but like the other tribes of Faboideae. The systematic position of Swartzieae is reevaluated.