Crotalaria stenoptera Welw. ex Baker

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

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb, ultimately with a number of erect variably branched stems from a woody rootstock, but flowering from first year of growth, up to 0.5–1 m tall, glabrous overall; stems 3–4-angled, narrowly winged; wings 0.5–2 mm wide at leaf insertion, with stipules on outer points, decurrent into angle of the stem lower down.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves simple or 1-foliolate on a petiole not more than 1 mm long, the uppermost sometimes much reduced; blades up to 4–14 × 0.7–5 cm, linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, often long-attenuate, or elliptic, the upper ones longer and narrower, rather leathery; lateral nerves strongly ascending, successively running up close and parallel to the margin for some distance; stipules 3–10 mm long, subulate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Racemes laxly few–many-flowered; bracts 1–2.5 mm long, linear-subulate to linear-lanceolate, 1–2.5 mm long; bracteoles inserted near the middle of the pedicel or below, smaller.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 6–8 mm long; lobes subulate or narrowly attenuate-triangular, longer than the tube, becoming reflexed.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Standard elliptic, yellow, lined and later flushed reddish-brown or purplish outside; wings shorter than the keel; keel 0.9–1.3 cm long, angular, sharply bent in the lower part with a long straight beak.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pod shortly stipitate, 2–2.8 × 0.6–1.2 cm, cylindrical, venose, glabrous, 14–18-seeded.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds not seen.