Brachystegia oblonga Sim

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

Morphology General Habit

Tree 10–15 m tall; bark shallowly fissured or coarsely reticulate.

Morphology Branches

Young branchlets glabrous.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 3–16 cm long; petioles 4–16 mm long; rachis deeply canaliculate above with raised and winged margins; leaflets in 4–8 contiguous or widely spaced pairs, increasing in size distally, 2–3 times longer than broad, glabrous or pubescent, the proximal leaflet pairs 1–2.5 × 0.7–1.5 cm, the rest 1.5–5 × 1–2.5 cm, broadly oblong, elliptic or rarely obovate, rounded, retuse or emarginate at the apex, obliquely rounded or subcordate at the base, midvein central or subcentral.

Morphology Leaves Stipules

Stipules caducous, shortly connate at the base, erect, 10–16 × 1–4 mm, elliptic, lanceolate or falcate, midvein subcentral; auricles up to 10 × 4 mm, reniform to subcircular.

Morphology General Buds

Dormant axillary buds much flattened.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences in terminal and/or axillary panicles up to 7 cm long; bracts 2–3 × 2–3 mm, ovate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers up to 6 × 4 mm; pedicels up to 3 mm long; bracteoles 5–7 × 4–5 mm, obovate or orbicular.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals 5, 2–3 × 1.5–2 mm, ovate or circular, imbricate, ciliate on the margins.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals absent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 10, united for 1 mm at the base; filaments 10–12 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary 2–3 × 1–1.5 mm, densely pubescent, up to 8-ovulate; style up to 10 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods 8–14 × 2.5–3.5 cm, oblong to obovate, ventral flanges spreading, up to 5 mm wide.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 5, 10–15 × 10–15 mm, circular to oblong.