Dolichos
a genus of papilionaceous plants, tribe Phaeseolex sub-tribe Euphaseoleæ. As founded by Linnæus it included many species now transferred to other genera; it is now limited to those which have a linear legume, with incomplete cellular dissepiments, and ovate seeds with a small oval hilum.
Even when thus restricted it contains about 70 known species, which are from the tropics of both hemispheres. The legumes of D. sesquipedalis are eaten in the S. of Europe. D. lignosus is one of the most common kidney beans in India. D. unifloris is the horse gram of the same country. The tuberous root of D. tuberosus is eaten in Martinique. The legumes of various species now removed to other genera are eaten.