Desmanthus is a genus of
flowering plants in the subfamily
Mimosoideae of the
pea family,
Fabaceae. The name is derived from the
Greek words δεσμός (
desmos), meaning "bundle", and ἄνθος (
anthos), meaning "flower". It contains about 24 species of
herbs and
shrubs that are sometimes described as being suffruiticose and have
bipinnate leaves.
Desmanthus is closely related to
Leucaena and in appearance is similar to
Neptunia. Like
Mimosa and
Neptunia,
Desmanthus species
fold their leaves in the evening. They are native to
Mexico and
North,
Central and
South America. Members of the genus are commonly known as
bundleflowers.
Donkey beans is another common name and originated in
Central America, where
Desmanthus species are highly regarded as
fodder for these domestic draught animals.
