Uraria
(from oura, a tail; alluding to the bracts). SYN. Doodia (of Roxburgh). ORD Leguminosae. A genus embracing eight species of stove, suffruticose perennials, inhabiting tropical Asia, Africa, and Australia. Flowers very numerous, minute, racemose; calyx tube very short, the two upper teeth short, the three lower ones usually elongated; standard broad; wings adhering to the obtuse keel; stamens diadelphous. Leaves stipellate; leaflets one to nine. Several species have been introduced; but it is doubtful whether any are in cultivation. Those described below thrive in a compost of sand, loam, and peat. Propagation may be effected by cuttings, inserted in sand, under a glass, in heat.
U. crinita (hairy). fl. purplish, 1/4in. long; racemes dense, above 1ft. long. July. l., upper ones three to seven-foliolate; leaflets oblong, sub-coriaceous, green and smooth above, paler and reticulate-veined beneath, 4in. to 6in. long, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad, rounded at base. h. 3ft. to 6ft. India.
U. picta (painted). fl. purple; corolla slightly exserted; racemes dense, cylindrical, 6in. to 12in. long. July. l., leaflets four to six, rarely nine, linear, rigidly sub-coriaceous, glabrous above, minutely pubescent beneath. Stems robust, finely downy. h. 3ft. to 6ft. Himalayas, Philippines, &c., 1788.