Description: Woody climbers, stems exuding dark red sap when cut.
Leaves alternate, imparipinnate; leaflets increasing in size along rachis; shortly petiolulate; stipules peltate, caducous; stipels present [except in 1 species].
Inflorescences panicles, terminal; bracts shorter than flower buds, bracteoles present. Calyx tubular, upper 2 teeth ± fused. Standard ± circular, retuse, reflexed at base; wings reduced, less than half as long as keel; keel falcate, about as long as standard. Stamens diadelphous. Ovary hairy; style exserted from keel.
Pod ± oblong, compressed, indehiscent, thin walled, not winged; seeds mostly 1–5, reniform, arillate.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 3 species, Australia, New Guinea. Australia: c. 3 species (2 species endemic), Qld, N.S.W.
Text by G. J. Harden
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the species | |
| 1 | Leaves with 7–11 leaflets; leaflets ovate to obovate, less than 3 times as long as wide; flowers dark maroon | Austrosteenisia blackii |
| Leaves with 9–15 leaflets; leaflets oblong to lanceolate or oblanceolate, more than 3 times as long as wide; flowers mauve and white | Austrosteenisia glabristyla |
|
