Abrus melanospermus Hassk.

Flora Zambesiaca Leguminosae subfamily Papillionoideae by D.K. Harder

Morphology General Habit

Subshrub to liane prostrate to twining ascending, with woody stems up to 6 m long. Subshrub to liane prostrate to twining ascending, with woody stems up to 6 m long.

Morphology Roots

Rootstock usually woody, fibrous or rhizomatous. Rootstock usually woody, fibrous or rhizomatous.

Morphology Stem

Stems glabrous to densely spreading-pubescent to appressed-pubescent, the indumentum greyish or rust-coloured. Stems glabrous to densely spreading-pubescent to appressed-pubescent, the indumentum greyish or rust-coloured.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves (10)12–38-foliolate; petiole short to more than 2 cm long; leaflets 0.35–5 × 0.1–2 cm, oblong to oblong-obovate, truncate or broadly rounded and with a short stiff point at the apex, truncate to rounded or subcordate at the base, glabrous to densely silky pilose on upper surface, glabrescent to densely silky pilose beneath; stipels minute, c.1 mm long; stipules 2–4 mm long, subulate, caducous. Leaves (10)12–38-foliolate; petiole short to more than 2 cm long; leaflets 0.35–5 × 0.1–2 cm, oblong to oblong-obovate, truncate or broadly rounded and with a short stiff point at the apex, truncate to rounded or subcordate at the base, glabrous to densely silky pilose on upper surface, glabrescent to densely silky pilose beneath; stipels minute, c.1 mm long; stipules 2–4 mm long, subulate, caducous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences axillary or terminal, 2.5–24 cm long; flowers subsessile in fascicles on cushion-like short shoots; bracts and bracteoles minute, under 1 mm long. Inflorescences axillary or terminal, 2.5–24 cm long; flowers subsessile in fascicles on cushion-like short shoots; bracts and bracteoles minute, under 1 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 1.5–3 mm long, subtruncate, shallowly lobed or distinctly toothed, appressed-pubescent, indumentum rust-coloured to silvery. Calyx 1.5–3 mm long, subtruncate, shallowly lobed or distinctly toothed, appressed-pubescent, indumentum rust-coloured to silvery.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla white, cream, yellow, orange, carmine-red, to purple, usually pale pink, drying yellowish, 8–15 mm long. Corolla white, cream, yellow, orange, carmine-red, to purple, usually pale pink, drying yellowish, 8–15 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods 2.2–7(9) × 0.8–1.5 cm, oblong or linear-oblong, compressed, smooth, sparsely to densely appressed-pubescent, the indumentum greyish or rust-coloured. Pods 2.2–7(9) × 0.8–1.5 cm, oblong or linear-oblong, compressed, smooth, sparsely to densely appressed-pubescent, the indumentum greyish or rust-coloured.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds greyish- or deep red-brown, sometimes speckled with violet or darker brown, 4–6 × (2)3–4.5 × 2–2.5 mm, oblong or pyriform, usually strongly compressed, arranged with longest dimension across the pod; rim aril minute with a conspicuous remnant cartilaginous funicle. Seeds greyish- or deep red-brown, sometimes speckled with violet or darker brown, 4–6 × (2)3–4.5 × 2–2.5 mm, oblong or pyriform, usually strongly compressed, arranged with longest dimension across the pod; rim aril minute with a conspicuous remnant cartilaginous funicle.

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation

Predicted extinction risk: not threatened. Confidence: confident