Small trees with imparipinnate exstipulate leaves and terminal panicles of white flowers. Pod shortly stalked, flat, thin, scarcely dehiscent. Only two species are described: the following an American, and another from Manchuria.

1. C. lutea(fig. 76), syn. Virgilia lutea and tinctdria. - Usually known under the latter name. This is a handsome deciduous tree, bearing a great profusion of white flowers in July. There are some specimens in England upwards of thirty feet high. The wood is yellow, whence the specific name and the American appellation of Yellow Wood.

Fig. 76. Cladrastis lutea. (1/4 nat. size.)

C. Amurensis (Maackia) has smaller leaves and yellowish green flowers. It is a native of the Amour district, and still rare in gardens.