Herbs, usually scandent; stems angled or winged. Lvs pinnate, tendrilous, mucronate or reduced to a phyllode or tendril; leaflets usually distinctly parallel-veined, in 2 or few pairs; stipules simple or toothed. Infl. axillary, racemose, 1-many-flowered. Calyx teeth 5, subequal or upper shorter, usually < 2× as long as tube. Staminal tube subequal at apex; stamens diadelphous. Style inflexed, bearded lengthwise on inside, otherwise glabrous; ovules numerous or rarely few. Pod compressed, 2-valved; seeds subglobose, rough or smooth, with long or short hilum.