a plant belonging to the class of diadelphia, and to the order of octandra. The calyx has three leaves, which are small, deciduous, and coloured. The corolla is papilionaceous. The vexillum, consisting of two petals, is oblong, straight, and conjoined to the carina at the base. The carina is of the same length with the alae. The legumen is ovated, unicocular, monoppermous, and ending in a ligulated ala. There are two species, the erecta and volubilis. The erecta has an upright stem: the volubilis or scandens is a climbing plant, and is a native of the West Indies.