Baphia massaiensis Taub.

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

Morphology General Habit

Shrub or small tree up to 8 m.

Morphology Stem

Young stems pubescent or subglabrous.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves:petiole 4–27 mm., the interpulvinary part usually distinct; lamina broadly ovate to elliptic, obovate or rarely suborbicular, up to 9 cm. long and 5.5 cm. wide; upper and lower surfaces glabrous to densely pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers in axillary fascicles of 1–7(–12) flowers; pedicels 6–16(–24) mm. long; bracteoles linear-oblong to linear, 1.5–5 × 0.3–0.8 mm., inserted immediately below the calyx or up to 5 mm. distant from it.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 6–12 mm. long, pubescent with appressed or spreading hairs, splitting down one side only, with 2–3(–5) teeth showing at the apex.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals white, the standard with a yellow blotch at the base; standard 8–22 mm. long; wings 8–22 mm. long; keel-petals 8–19 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamen-filaments glabrous; anthers 0.7–1 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary sparsely to densely covered with longish white or brown hairs.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pod 7–11 (–13) × 1–1.5 cm., blackish- or purplish-brown.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds lenticular, 8–11 × 7–9 mm., reddish-black.

Distribution

T4 T5 T8 Mozambique to Angola and South West Africasee map, fig. 2 in Bol. Soc. Brot., sér. 2, 39, after p. 187 (1965)

International Legume Database and Information Service

Conservation

Not Threatened

Ecology

Africa: Zambezian bushland and thicket, Zambezian woodland

Morphology General Habit

Perennial, Not climbing, Shrub/Tree

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/120979891/120980468

Conservation

LC - least concern

Flora Zambesiaca Leguminosae subfamily Papillionoideae by R.K. Brummitt

Morphology General Habit

Shrub or small tree up to 8 m high. Shrub or small tree up to 8 m high.

Morphology Leaves

Leaflet up to 9 × 5.5 cm, elliptic to obovate or suborbicular, glabrous to pubescent; petiole 4–27 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers in fascicles of up to 7(12), sometimes reduced to a single flower apparently solitary in the axil of a foliage leaf; pedicels 6–16(24) mm long; bracteoles inserted immediately beneath the flower or up to 5 mm distant, 1.5–5 × 0.3–0.8 mm, linear-oblong to linear. Flowers in fascicles of up to 7(12), sometimes reduced to a single flower apparently solitary in the axil of a foliage leaf; pedicels 6–16(24) mm long; bracteoles inserted immediately beneath the flower or up to 5 mm distant, 1.5–5 × 0.3–0.8 mm, linear-oblong to linear.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary sparsely to densely covered with longish white hairs. Ovary sparsely to densely covered with longish white hairs.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pod 7–11(13) × 1–1.5 cm, blackish- or purplish-brown. Pod 7–11(13) × 1–1.5 cm, blackish- or purplish-brown.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 8–11 × 7–9 mm, lenticular, reddish-black. Seeds 8–11 × 7–9 mm, lenticular, reddish-black.

Morphology Leaves Leaflets

Leaflet up to 9 × 5.5 cm, elliptic to obovate or suborbicular, glabrous to pubescent; petiole 4–27 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 6–12 mm long, sparsely to densely pubescent. Calyx 6–12 mm long, sparsely to densely pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals white, the standard with a yellow mark near the base; standard 8–22 × 8–21 mm; wings 8–22 × 3.5–8 mm; keel petals 8–19 mm long. Petals white, the standard with a yellow mark near the base; standard 8–22 × 8–21 mm; wings 8–22 × 3.5–8 mm; keel petals 8–19 mm long.