The genus Baphia Lodd. of the tribe Sophoreae of Leguminosae subfamily Papilionoideae is revised throughout its range in Africa and Madagascar. The 45 species recognised are keyed out, described and mapped, with appropriate bibliography, notes on ecology and distribution, and a list of collection numbers. The generic and infrageneric classification is discussed, together with an analysis of the ecology and phytogeography. page Introduction 291