Ziegia

Ziegia is a genus of trees belonging to the family Fabaceae, commonly known as the legume or pea family. These trees are native to the Neotropics, with species found in Central and South America. Ziegia species are characterized by their compound leaves, often bipinnately compound, and their showy flowers, which are typically yellow or white and arranged in racemes. The fruits are legumes, pods that contain seeds.

The genus Ziegia was established by botanist Rupert Charles Barneby in 1991. Prior to this, many of its species were classified under the genus Cassia. The genus name honors the American botanist and plant explorer Richard Spruce, who extensively collected plants in the Amazon basin during the 19th century. Ziegia is part of the subfamily Caesalpinioideae, a diverse group within the Fabaceae family.

Species within Ziegia are often found in various tropical forest ecosystems, including rainforests and seasonally dry forests. They can vary in size from shrubs to large trees. Some Ziegia species are known for their ornamental value due to their attractive flowers. Like other legumes, Ziegia species are capable of nitrogen fixation, a symbiotic process with soil bacteria that enriches the soil with nitrogen. Research into Ziegia continues to explore its taxonomy, ecological roles, and potential ethnobotanical uses.