Aphanocalyx richardsiae (J.Léonard) Wieringa

International Legume Database and Information Service

Conservation

Not Threatened

Ecology

Africa: Zambezian forest, Guineo-Congolian forest.

Morphology General Habit

Perennial, Not climbing, Shrub/Tree

Leguminosae, R.K. Brummitt, A.C. Chikuni, J.M. Lock and R.M. Polhill. Flora Zambesiaca 3:2. 2007

Morphology General Habit

Tree 3–12(25) m high.

Morphology Branches

Young branchlets glabrous to shortly pubescent, glabrescent.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves: stipules early caducous; petiole 1–6 mm long, glabrescent; leaflets 2, sessile, coriaceous, 1.7–7.5(10) × 0.6–3.2(4.5) cm, semi-elliptic or semi-ovate-elliptic, acutely or sometimes obtusely acuminate at apex, rounded on outer side at base; glabrous or almost so, with 0–6(10) glands along proximal margin of leaflet, prominently veined on both surfaces.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Racemes 1–3.5 cm long, brownish-pubescent; bracteoles 4.5–7 mm long, up to 6 mm wide, almost circular.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals 0–2, the larger ones, if present, to 3 × 2.3 mm, others minute.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Large petal white, 5–7 × 3.5–6.5 mm, with a short claw and a subcircular lamina; other petals absent or minute.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 9–10.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods asymmetric, 2.5–3.7 × 1.5–2.3 cm, oblong-elliptic or obovate-elliptic, sparsely pilose when young, glabrescent, each valve longitudinally and prominently 1(2)-nerved, 1–2-seeded.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 8–14 × 5–12 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds Germination

Germination epigeal; first pair of leaves opposite, with four leaflets; subsequent leaves alternate, with 2 leaflets.

Leguminosae, J. B. Gillett, R. M. Polhill & B. Verdcourt. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1971

Morphology General Habit

Tree 3–12(–25, fide Devred & Bamps) m. high; young branchlets glabrous to shortly pubescent.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves with stipules quickly falling off; petiole 1–6 mm. long; leaflets in one pair, sessile, coriaceous, glabrous or almost so, semi-elliptic or semi-ovate-elliptic, l.7–7.5(–10) cm. long, 0.6–3.2(–4.5) cm. wide (to 9 × 4.5 cm. on juvenile shoots), acutely or sometimes obtusely ± acuminate at apex, rounded on outer side at base; vein-network prominent on both surfaces.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Racemes 1–3.5 cm. long, brown-pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracteoles

Bracteoles subcircular, 4.5–7 mm. long and up to 6 mm. wide, brown-pubescent outside.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals 0, or 1–2 of them up to 3.5 × 2.5 mm. and 1–2 minute.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Large petal white, 5–8 mm. long, 4–6 mm. wide, shortly clawed, with subcircular lamina; other petals 0, or 1–2 minute.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 9–10; filaments glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods asymmetric, ± oblong-elliptic or obovate-elliptic, 2.5–3.7 cm. long, 1.5–2.3 cm. wide, glabrescent, with 1(–2) prominent longitudinal nerves on each valve, 1–2-seeded.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds ± 1.2 × 0.9–1 cm., apparently dark brown.

Figures

Fig. 42, p. 197.

Habitat

Riverine forest; altitude range uncertain

Distribution

T4