Brachystegia russelliae I.M.Johnst.

International Legume Database and Information Service

Conservation

Not Threatened

Morphology General Habit

Perennial, Not climbing, Shrub

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

Morphology General Habit

Stems to 2 m high from a woody rootstock, glabrous or pubescent.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves up to 25 cm long; petiole 1–2.5 cm long, stout; rachis deeply canaliculate with raised winged margins, glabrous or pubescent; leaflets in 6–19 pairs, contiguous or overlapping, the middle leaflet pair often the largest, distal pairs 1–1.5 times larger than the proximal pairs, 1.5–5 × 0.5–1.8(2) cm, ovate, narrowly triangular, narrowly ovate or elliptic, often falcate, acute to acuminate at the apex, obliquely rounded, truncate or cordate at the base, glabrous or pubescent; midveins central or subcentral, with 3–4 secondary veins arising from the proximal leaflet base.

Morphology Leaves Stipules

Stipules persistent, 10–30 × 0.5–4 mm, shortly connate at the base, filiform or linear-lanceolate, often falcate; auricles 2–10 × 1–2 mm, reniform, semicircular or oblong, sometimes reduced to a basal tooth.

Morphology General Buds

Dormant axillary buds much flattened.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences of terminal and axillary panicles up to 6 cm long; bracts up to 3 × 3 mm, ovate to deltate, rounded to acute at the apex, caducous; bracteoles 4–8 × 4–6 mm, elliptic to obovate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers 3–6 × 2–4 mm; pedicels 1–4 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals 5, 2–4 × 1–3 mm, elliptic or obovate to lanceolate, imbricate, densely ciliate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 1–6, up to 0.5–1.5 × 0.5 mm, linear to spathulate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 10(12), united to 1.5 mm at the base, filaments 8–13 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary 3–5 × 1–1.5 mm, densely pubescent with rusty hairs, 3–5-ovulate, stipe to 2 mm long; style 7–10 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods 5–10 × 2–4 cm, oblong, glabrous, reddish brown to pale brown with narrow adaxial flanges up to 2 mm wide.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds (perhaps immature) 14–17 × 9–12 mm.