Aeschynomene nematopoda Harms

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

Morphology General Habit

Diffuse annual trailing herb ± 30 cm. long.

Morphology Stem

Stems slender, glabrous or almost so.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 4–16-foliolate; leaflets oblong-oblanceolate, oblanceolate, narrowly oblong or obovate-obcuneate, 2.5–11 mm. long, 1–2.7 mm. wide, rounded to slightly emarginate at the apex, narrowed to an obliquely rounded base, glabrous; main nerve ± central; petiole and rhachis together 0.5–1.5 cm. long, produced as a bristle; petiolules 0.3 mm. long; stipules ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, 4–8 mm. long, ± 1 mm. wide, acuminate, shortly appendaged on one side at the base, persistent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences axillary, few–several-flowered; rhachis 1–4 cm. long; peduncle obsolete; pedicels filiform, 0.6–1.3 cm. long, glabrous; bracts in threes as in previous species, 2–3 mm. long, 0.5 mm. wide, persistent; bracteoles ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, 1–2 mm. long, 0.5 mm. wide, glabrous, persistent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx glabrous, 2-lipped, the lips oblong or elliptic, 3–4.5 mm. long, 1–1.5(–2) mm. wide, one slightly emarginate, the other minutely 3-toothed.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Standard dark orange-yellow, spathulate, 6–7 mm. long, 4 mm. wide above, 1 mm. wide below; wings and keel-petals yellow, the latter not laciniate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Actual pods unknown but developing underground, the stipe accrescent, 1.5–8 cm. long at least.

Habitat

Sandy places in Julbernardia, Brachystegia woodland; 340–400 m.

Distribution

T6 T8

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: threatened. Confidence: confident

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/179789/1590082

Conservation

NT - near threatened

Leguminosae, B. Verdcourt. Flora Zambesiaca 3:6. 2000

Morphology General Habit

Diffuse annual trailing herb c. 30 cm long.

Morphology Stem

Stems slender, glabrous or almost so.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 4–16-foliolate; leaflets 2.5–11 × 1–2.7 mm, oblong-oblanceolate, oblanceolate, narrowly oblong or obovate-obcuneate, rounded to slightly emarginate at the apex, narrowed to an obliquely rounded base, glabrous; main nerve ± central; petiole and rhachis together 5–15 mm long, produced as a bristle; petiolules 0.3 mm long; stipules 4–8 × c. 1 mm, ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, acuminate, shortly appendaged on one side at the base, persistent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences axillary, few- to several-flowered; peduncle obsolete; rhachis 1–4 cm long; pedicels 6–13 mm long, filiform, glabrous; bracts in threes, 2–3 × 0.5 mm, persistent; bracteoles 1–2 × 0.5 mm, ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, glabrous, persistent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx glabrous, 2-lipped; lips 3–4.5 × 1–1.5(2) mm, oblong or elliptic, one slightly emarginate, the other minutely 3-toothed.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Standard dark orange-yellow, 6–7 mm long, 4 mm wide above, 1 mm wide below, spathulate; wings and keel petals yellow, the latter not laciniate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit unknown but developing underground, the stipe accrescent, 1.5–8 cm long at least.