Derris trifoliata Lour.

Flora Zambesiaca Leguminosae subfamily Papillionoideae by J.M. Lock*

Morphology Leaves

Leaves up to 18 cm long; petiole 2.5–6.5 cm long, rachis 2–6 cm long; petiolules 2–5 mm long; leaflets 1–2(3) on each side of the rachis, 4–7(8) × 2.5–4 cm, ovate to elliptic, the terminal one the largest, thin and stiff to leathery, acuminate with the apex obtuse to subacute, rounded at the base, midrib flat above, prominent beneath; lateral nerves in 5–8-pairs, flat on both surfaces; stipules falling early. Leaves up to 18 cm long; petiole 2.5–6.5 cm long, rachis 2–6 cm long; petiolules 2–5 mm long; leaflets 1–2(3) on each side of the rachis, 4–7(8) × 2.5–4 cm, ovate to elliptic, the terminal one the largest, thin and stiff to leathery, acuminate with the apex obtuse to subacute, rounded at the base, midrib flat above, prominent beneath; lateral nerves in 5–8-pairs, flat on both surfaces; stipules falling early.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence 3–15 cm long, axillary, also borne on leafless stems; axis sparsely pubescent; bracts c.1 mm long, ovate-acute, sparsely pubescent. Inflorescence 3–15 cm long, axillary, also borne on leafless stems; axis sparsely pubescent; bracts c.1 mm long, ovate-acute, sparsely pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers c.10 mm long, in triads on short lateral branches up to 5 mm long, single towards the axis top; pedicels 2–5 mm long, articulated at or near the base; bracteoles very small, present at anthesis, later deciduous. Flowers c.10 mm long, in triads on short lateral branches up to 5 mm long, single towards the axis top; pedicels 2–5 mm long, articulated at or near the base; bracteoles very small, present at anthesis, later deciduous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 2–2.5 mm long, broadly campanulate, truncate and sparsely hairy above. Calyx 2–2.5 mm long, broadly campanulate, truncate and sparsely hairy above.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla pink. Standard c.9 mm in diameter, quadrate-circular, broadly emarginate or retuse, with a 1.5–2 mm long claw at the base; wings obovate, adhering slightly to the keel below the middle, auriculate, with a claw c.2.5 mm long; keel petals sparsely puberulous towards the ciliolate auricle, claw c.3 mm long. Standard c.9 mm in diameter, quadrate-circular, broadly emarginate or retuse, with a 1.5–2 mm long claw at the base; wings obovate, adhering slightly to the keel below the middle, auriculate, with a claw c.2.5 mm long; keel petals sparsely puberulous towards the ciliolate auricle, claw c.3 mm long. Corolla pink.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary 3–6-ovulate, subsessile, puberulous; style 6 mm long; stigma subcapitate.

Distribution

Also in Asia and Australia; 0–50 m.

Ecology

In coastal swamp and riverine forests and thickets, including mangrove, of eastern Africa from Kenya to South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal).

Conservation

Conservation notes: A very widespread taxon; Lower Risk, Least Concern.

Morphology General Habit

Liane with twining stems up to 15 m or more high, glabrous except for the inflorescence. Liane with twining stems up to 15 m or more high, glabrous except for the inflorescence.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamen filaments 9–10 mm long, the lower 5–6 mm fused into a tube; anthers c.0.5 mm long, versatile. Stamen filaments 9–10 mm long, the lower 5–6 mm fused into a tube; anthers c.0.5 mm long, versatile.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary 3–6-ovulate, subsessile, puberulous; style 6 mm long; stigma subcapitate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pod normally 1-seeded, 3–3.5 × 1.5–2 cm, flat, subreniform to subquadrangular, slightly reticulate, wing 1–1.8 mm broad; style persistent. Pod normally 1-seeded, 3–3.5 × 1.5–2 cm, flat, subreniform to subquadrangular, slightly reticulate, wing 1–1.8 mm broad; style persistent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seed 2.2–2.5 × 1.5 × 0.3–0.4 mm, subreniform with a red-brown testa. Seed 2.2–2.5 × 1.5 × 0.3–0.4 mm, subreniform with a red-brown testa.

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

International Legume Database and Information Service

Conservation

Not Threatened

Ecology

Africa: Zanzibar-Inhambane regional transition zone; bushland and thicket., Zanzibar-Inhambane regional transition zone; mangrove.

Morphology General Habit

Perennial, Climbing/Not climbing, Shrub

Vernacular

Derris, Fanamo, Fanamovahy, Hora Papua, Kala-wel, Tekil, Tilankoddi, Tuba, Uppu Thailan-kodi, Vahimpanamo, Vahinamo, Vahisamonta, Varongohofotsy, Veronkohifotsy

International Legume Database and Information Service

Morphology General Habit

Perennial, Climbing, Shrub