porisus

Porisus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae. The genus is native to South America, with species ranging from southern Brazil to northern Argentina. Porisus is characterized by its small, evergreen trees or shrubs, typically growing to a height of 2-5 meters. The leaves are pinnate, with 3-7 leaflets, and the flowers are small, yellow or orange, and borne in racemes or panicles. The fruit is a pod, containing one or two seeds.

The genus Porisus includes approximately 10 species, with the most well-known being Porisus arborea, a small tree native to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Porisus arborea is valued for its timber, which is used in construction and furniture making. The wood is hard, durable, and has a fine texture.

Porisus species are often used in reforestation efforts due to their ability to grow in a variety of soil types and their resistance to drought and pests. They are also valued for their role in maintaining biodiversity, as they provide habitat and food for a variety of wildlife.

Porisus is named after the Greek word "poris," meaning "pore," referring to the small pores on the leaves of some species. The genus was first described by the French botanist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1798.