Desmanthus is a genus of about 24 species of herbs an shrubs and is sometimes described as being suffruiticose. It is in the subfamily Mimosoideae of the legume family Fabaceae, with bipinnate leaves. Desmanthus is closely related to Leucaena and in appearance is similar to Neptunia. Like Mimosa and Neptunia, Desmanthus folds its leaves in the evening. It is native to Mexico and North, Central and South America.