Bussea massaiensis (Taub.) Harms

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

Morphology General Habit

Shrub or tree up to 14 m high with smooth grey bark.

Morphology Stem

Young stems brown-pubescent but quickly glabrescent, unarmed.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves: petiole and rachis together 2–14 cm, densely brown-pubescent when young but almost glabrescent; pinnae (1)2–5 pairs; pinna rachis 2–12 cm; leaflets (3)5–10(11) pairs per pinna, (0.5)1–3.4 × (0.3)0.4–1.4(1.9) cm, asymmetrically elliptic to elliptic-oblong, obtuse to emarginate at the apex, strongly asymmetrical at the base; lower surface pubescent and upper surface glabrous or pubescent when young, but both often glabrescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers in fairly dense racemes grouped together to form a terminal panicle, the terminal raceme up to 15 cm long, the others shorter, the axes densely brown-pubescent; bracts up to 8 × 4 mm, lanceolate or ovate to elliptic, falling at or slightly before anthesis; pedicels 4–10 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals 5–8 mm long, densely brown-pubescent except on scarious margins.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals unequal, the lower and lateral ones 1.2–2.5 × 0.9–1.4 cm, the upper one 0.9–1.0 × 0.7–0.8 cm, all yellow, distal margins usually erose.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamen filaments 7–9 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary brown-tomentose.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods 7–12 × 1.2–2.2 cm, broadest in the distal third, erect, shortly brown-tomentose especially in the median groove of each valve; seeds 1–3, 1.6–2.2 × 0.9–1.2 cm, oblong, elongated longitudinally.

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

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/19892528/20031195

Conservation

LC - least concern

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

Morphology General Habit

Shrub or tree 2–12 m. high, with smooth grey bark (T.T.C.L.).

Morphology Leaves

Leaves:rhachides with spreading rusty or brown pubescence; pinnae (1–)2–5 pairs; leaflets 5–10(–11) pairs per pinna, oblong-elliptic to elliptic, (0.7–)1–3.6(–4) cm. long, 0.4–1.9 cm. wide, unequal-sided at base, obtuse to emarginate at apex, ± pubescent beneath.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence-axes with a very dense coarse rusty tomentum; pedicels 0.4–1 cm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Outside of sepals clothed like the inflorescence-axes.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals yellow, crinkled, obovate, the four lower and lateral ones 12–30 mm. long, 9–21 mm. wide, the fifth upper one 9–10 mm. long, 7–8 mm. wide.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamen-filaments 7–9 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods 7–12 cm. long, 1.2–2.2 cm. wide; valves with a conspicuous longitudinal groove down middle.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 1.6–2.2 cm. long, 0.9–1.2 cm. wide.

Figures

Fig. 4.

Habitat

Thickets, deciduous bushland, deciduous woodland; 1070–1370 m.

Distribution

the typical plant not known elsewhere, but subsp. rhodesica in Zambia T4 T5