Shrubs [trees], unarmed [armed]. Stems erect, scandent, or prostrate, glabrous, densely pubescent, or pilose. Leaves alternate, even-bipinnate; stipules present, foliose [spinescent]; petiolate, petiole extrafloral nectaries usually absent; pinnae 1 or 2(or 3)[4–8] pairs, opposite, sessile; leaflets [2–](6 or)8–34(–44)[–134], blade margins entire, surfaces glabrous or pubescent. Peduncles solitary or fasciculate at distal nodes. Inflorescences 10–22-flowered, usually axillary, rarely terminal, usually globose heads, rarely pseudopanicles; bracts present. Flowers mimosoid; calyx campanulate, lobes 5; corolla greenish white; stamens 30–60, connate proximally into tube; anthers dorsifixed. Fruits legumes, sessile or short-stipitate, compressed, linear, dehiscing elastically from base to apex, glabrous [puberulent, pubescent, or villous]. Seeds 1–12, ovoid to rhomboid [ellipsoid], pleurogram present. x = 13.

Distribution

sw United States, Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America, tropical and subtropical areas.

Discussion

Species 22 (2 in the flora).

Zapoteca was segregated from Calliandra and has been recognized as a well-circumscribed genus within the tribe Ingeae. The area of highest species concentration for Zapoteca is in southern Mexico.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Zapoteca formosa, Zapoteca media

Key

1	Leaflets (10–)14–34(–44), blades oblong to elliptic; sw Texas.	Zapoteca media
1	Leaflets (6 or) 8–12 (or 14), blades oblong-obovate; s Arizona.	Zapoteca formosa