Dapodis

Dapodis is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae. It is native to tropical Africa and parts of southern Asia, and comprises four described species. Members are shrubs or small trees reaching up to 6 meters in height. Leaves are pinnate with 3–9 leaflets; flowers are papilionaceous, arranged in terminal racemes; corollas range from pale yellow to violet, often with a conspicuous standard petal. The fruit is a straight to gently curved pod containing several seeds.

Taxonomy and naming: The genus was first described in 1987 in a botanical monograph. The name Dapodis is a neologism coined by the describing authors, intended to reflect the plant's diverse habitats.

Distribution and habitat: Dapodis species occur mainly in tropical forest margins, savannas, and secondary forests, from sea level to about 1200 meters. While most populations are in tropical Africa, a few species extend into south and southeast Asia.

Species: Dapodis alba, Dapodis viridis, Dapodis ruber, Dapodis grandis. D. alba is known for white flowers; D. viridis has green-tinged foliage; D. ruber bears red blossoms; D. grandis is the largest species, with broader leaflets.

Ecology and conservation: Pollination is primarily by native bees; seeds disperse by gravity and frugivorous animals. Habitat loss due to deforestation and land conversion threatens several populations; as of now, no species is listed as extinct, though some are considered locally vulnerable.