Trees or shrubs, to 10 m. Leaves: stipules linear, 2 mm; petiole 1.8–2.5 cm, sparsely to moderately pubescent, hairs antrorse-appressed, translucent to white; leaflets (9–)13–19, petiolules 1–2 mm, blades nar­row to broadly elliptic or obovate, (0.6–)1–3.7(–4.5) × (0.3–)0.6–1.7(–2) cm, apex obtuse to rounded, mucro­nate, surfaces evenly sparsely to densely pubescent abaxially, glabrous or glabrate adaxially. Inflorescences axillary, racemes, axis moderately to densely pubescent, hairs antrorse-appressed, translucent to white; axis (2–)7–10 cm; bracts linear, 0.5–1.2 mm; bracteoles linear, 0.5–2 mm. Pedicels 5–20 mm, densely pubescent, hairs antrorse-appressed, translucent to white. Flowers: calyx 2.5–5 mm, moderately to densely pubescent, lobes broadly rounded; corolla white to yellow, pink, or purple, 1–1.4 cm; ovary densely sericeous. Legumes 3–5(–15) × 0.8–1 cm; stipe 10–20 mm. Seeds 1–4(–8), 5.2–7 × 4–5 mm. 2n = 28.

Phenology: Flowering Mar–May.
Habitat: Woodlands, floodplains, stream margins, rocky uplands, roadsides.
Elevation: 0–600 m.

Distribution

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Ark., La., Okla., Tex.

Discussion

The flowers of Styphnolobium affine are showy, and the persistent fruit resembles a black string of pearls. It is cultivated as an ornamental within its native range. The seeds are reputed to be poisonous.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.