Crotalaria subcapitata De Wild.

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

Morphology General Habit

Procumbent or straggling erect annual or perennial, sometimes up to 0.5–1.3 m tall; branches somewhat ribbed, shortly appressed or spreading pubescent.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets mostly 1.5–8(11) × 0.3–2.5(3) cm, very variable, linear-lanceolate to elliptic or obovate, often varying up the stem, narrowest towards the top, appressed pubescent beneath, sometimes also above; petiole shorter than the leaflets; stipules (0.5)1–3 mm long, linear or subulate, often recurved.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Racemes 5–40(60) cm long, usually with a long peduncle and numerous flowers crowded above (but sometimes peduncle shorter than the rhachis); bracts 1–3(5) mm long, subulate or linear-caudate, expanded at the base; bracteoles inserted at the base of the calyx or just below, 0.5–2 mm long, linear.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 3–4(5) mm long, becoming basally truncate and deflexed against the pedicel, variously appressed or less commonly spreading pubescent; lobes narrowly attenuate-triangular, a little longer than the tube.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Standard obovate-circular, yellow, veined reddish-brown or purplish; wings ± as long as the keel; keel (5)6–9.5(10.5) mm long, strongly rounded about the middle, with an incurved attenuate sharp beak, often lined and blotched purplish.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pod practically sessile, 12–24 × 3.5–5 mm, subcylindrical, usually rather densely appressed or spreading pubescent, 20–30-seeded.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 1.5–2.5 mm long, oblique-cordiform, smooth, orange or brown.

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

Morphology General Habit

Decumbent or straggling-erect annual or perennial, sometimes up to 5–13 dm. tall.

Morphology Stem

Stem finely ribbed above, shortly appressed or spreading pubescent.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets very variable, linear-lanceolate to elliptic or obovate, often varying up the stem, narrowest towards the top, up to 15–80(–110) mm. long, 3–24(–32) mm. wide, glabrous or pubescent above, appressed pubescent, with regularly arranged whitish hairs, beneath; petiole up to 10–40 mm. long.

Morphology Leaves Stipules

Stipules subulate, mostly 1–3 mm. long, often recurved, rarely smaller and obscure.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Racemes with a short or more usually a long peduncle, up to 6–30 cm. long, with numerous flowers closely arranged towards the top; bracts subulate or linear-caudate, 1–3(–5) mm. long; bracteoles inserted at the base of the calyx or just below, filiform, 0·5–2 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx becoming basally truncate and deflexed against the pedicel, 3–4(–5) mm. long, appressed or spreading pubescent; lobes narrowly attenuate-triangular, a little longer than the tube.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Standard obovate-orbicular, yellow, veined reddish-brown or purple, glabrous outside; wings ± as long as the keel; keel strongly rounded about the middle, with an incurved attenuate acute untwisted beak, (5–)6–9·5(–10·5) mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pod practically sessile, subcylindrical, 12–24 mm. long, 3·5–4·5 mm. across, with appressed or spreading hairs, ± 20–30-seeded.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds oblique-cordiform, ± 1·5–2·5 mm. long, smooth, orange or brown.

International Legume Database and Information Service

Conservation

Not Threatened

Ecology

Africa: Guinea-Congolia/Sudania regional transition zone; grasslands., Guinea-Congolia/Zambezia regional transition zone; grassland., Guineo-Congolian grasslands, Afromontane grassland, Zambezian grassland

Morphology General Habit

Annual, Not climbing, Herb