Ses-al-pin'i-a'se-e. L. Caesalpin-us(-i) + aceae, after Andreas Caesal-pinus (1519-1603), a noted Italian botanist and physician. Trees, herbs, shrubs. Distinguished by leaves compound, bipinnate, stipulate, stems often prickly; flowers yellow, red, calyx 5's, petals 5, upper one enclosed by lateral ones in bud; fruit legume, dehiscent; tropics; astringent, cathartic, tonic, diuretic, dye.

Genera: 1. Cassia (Cathartocarpus). 2. Copaiba.