A new subtribal classification of the Fabaceae-Caraganeae is presented informed by phylogenetic reconstruction using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) for 17 genera belonging to tribes Caraganeae, Galegeae and Astragaleae. Based on these results we propose to erect a new subtribe Chesneyinae Ranjbar, F. Hajmoradi and Waycott including Chesneya Lindl. ex Endl. and Gueldenstaedtia Fisch. and revise the membership of subtribe Caraganinae as comprising Caragana Fabr., Calophaca Fisch. and Halimodendron Fisch. ex DC. Subtribe Caraganinae is characterised by the shrub habit and paripinnate leaves whereas the herbaceous habit and imparipinnate leaves are characteristic of subtribe Chesneyinae.
