Parochetinae: a new subtribe of Trifolieae (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae)

ferent tribes or subtribes: Candolle (1825) to the Phaseoleae DC., based on fruit characters; Wight & Arnott (1834) to the Phaseolinae (DC.) Wight & Arn.; Bentham & Hooker (1865) to the Trifolieae Bercht. & J. Presl, based on habit; Schulz (1901) to the Trifoliinae DC., along with Trifolium L. and Ononis L., based on ovule morphology and seed position within the pods. Small (1987, 1989) and Small & Jomphe (1989) pointed out the anomalous position of Parochetus and Ononis in the Trifolieae and their not being closely related to the other genera of that tribe. Further, studies were therefore essential to elucidate the definite affinity of Parochetus with other papilionoid genera. While revising the Trifolieae (excluding Ononis) of India we also reached the conclusion that Parochetus differs considerably from the other genera of the tribe in many morphological characters of the stipules, leaves, bracts and flowers. As the genus does not fit within either of the described subtribes of the Trifolieae, Trifolii