Crotalaria trichotoma Bojer

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

Morphology General Habit

Erect annual or short-lived perennial, up to 0.7–2.7 m tall, well branched at least above; branches ribbed, appressed puberulous.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 3-foliolate, estipulate; leaflets mostly (4.5)6–14 × 1–4 cm, lanceolate to elliptic-oblong, lower ones sometimes elliptic, appressed puberulous beneath, rarely also above; petioles shorter than the leaflets.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Racemes up to 30–40 cm long, many-flowered; bracts (1)2–4 mm long, linear-caudate; bracteoles inserted at the base of the calyx or immediately below, slightly smaller than the bract.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 4–6 mm long, becoming basally truncate and deflexed against the pedicel, glabrous or rather thinly appressed puberulous; lobes generally reduced to small widely spaced subulate teeth.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Standard elliptic to obovate-elliptic, yellow, veined reddish-purple outside; wings ± as long as the keel, with a dark mark at the base; keel 1.2–1.4 cm long, shortly rounded about the middle, with a sharp slightly incurved beak.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pod (3.2)3.5–4.5 × 0.7–1.2 cm, shortly stipitate, subcylindrical, appressed puberulous, 50–70-seeded.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 2.2–2.8 mm long, oblique-cordiform, smooth, orange-buff or terra-cotta.

Use

Environmental, Fibre, Miscellaneous