Cynometra
| Cynometra | |
|---|---|
| Leaves of Cynometra cauliflora | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Detarioideae |
| Tribe: | Amherstieae |
| Genus: | Cynometra L. |
| Species | |
|
113; see text | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Cynometra (from Greek calque of puki anjing, local Malay name for C. cauliflora according to Rumphius) is genus of tropical forest trees with a pantropical distribution.
Species of Cynometra are particularly important as forest components in West Africa and the Neotropics. Cynometra alexandri (muhimbi) is a familiar timber tree of central and east Africa.
The genus is a member of the subfamily Detarioideae. Prior to 2019, Cynometra was considered to be polyphyletic and in need of revision. In that year, botanist Aleksandar Radosavjevic recircumscribed this genus by including all species from Maniltoa and removing African species having jointed pedicels and dehiscent fruits.