Crotalaria kwengeensis R.Wilczek

Leguminosae, various authors. Flora Zambesiaca 3:7. 2003

Morphology General Habit

Suffrutex 15–50 cm tall; stems ultimately numerous, ascending from a small woody rootstock, rather slender, appressed puberulous to subappressed pubescent.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves estipulate, sessile, 3-foliolate; leaflets 10–20 × (1)2–7 mm, linear-oblanceolate to oblong-oblanceolate or narrowly elliptic-oblong (lower ones ± oblong-obovate), obtuse, glossy, slightly coriaceous, flat or slightly incurved at the margins, appressed puberulous to pubescent on both surfaces; venation rather inconspicuous, but basal lateral nerves running close to the margin nearly to the apex.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Racemes terminal on main and rather short lateral branches, short, 2–6-flowered; bracts 2.5–5 mm long, linear to lanceolate; bracteoles on the upper part of the pedicel, linear, 1–2 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 3.5–7 mm long, puberulous; lobes narrowly attenuate-triangular, 2–3 times as long as the tube.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Standard elliptic-ovate, apiculate, bright yellow, puberulous medially or over the upper half; wings ± as long as the keel; keel 5–9 mm long, shortly rounded in the lower half, with a straight rather projecting sharp beak.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pod subsessile, 7–12 × 3–4 mm, cylindrical, densely pubescent outside, pilose inside, 4–12-seeded.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds up to 2.5 mm long, oblique-cordiform, smooth, pale yellow.