3914.000 Psophocarpus Necker ex DC.

Climbers (in ours). Stipules present with an appendage. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate; stipels present. Inflorescence an axillary pseudoraceme or umbel; bracts and bracteoles present, the bracteoles large. Corolla usually blue to mauve, rarely yellow. Stamens 10; 9 with fused filaments; 1 free or connate in the middle. Pod 4-winged, septate, dehiscent. Seeds (in ours) with an aril.

Derivation of name: from psophos (Gr): noise & carpus (L): fruit, referring to the sound made by the ripe pod when it springs open.

Worldwide: c. 10 species in the Old World tropics

Malawi: 2 taxa.