podalyria

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A genus of leguminous shrubs, type of tribe Podalyricæ, characterized by the broad obtuse keel-petals united on the back, the turgid, ovoid, coriaceous pod, simple short-petioled rigid leaves, and a calyx remarkably indented at its broadly bell-shaped base. The 17 species are natives of South Africa, and are silvery-pubescent or villous shrubs, with alternate leaves, awl-shaped stipules, and pink, purple, or blue axillary flowers, usually only one or two together. P. sericea, the African satin-bush, and several other species are cultivated for their flowers and silky leaves.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. genus of South African leguminous shrubs often placed in genus Sophora