Millettia grandis (E.Mey.) Skeels

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/149512576/149512578

Conservation

LC - least concern

International Legume Database and Information Service

Conservation

Not Threatened

Ecology

Africa: Tongaland-Pondoland regional transition zone; forest, Tongaland-Pondoland regional transition zone: scrub forest

Morphology General Habit

Perennial, Not climbing, Tree

Flora Zambesiaca Leguminosae subfamily Papillionoideae by B. Verdcourt*

Morphology General Habit

Tree or shrub, sometimes stunted or gnarled, 2–13 m tall* ; bark grey or brown, smooth to ± flaky. Tree or shrub, sometimes stunted or gnarled, 2–13 m tall ; bark grey or brown, smooth to ± flaky.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary 8 mm long, densely silky with light brown hairs, 5-ovuled; style 4.5 mm long, glabrous, bent through 40–45°; stigma small.

Distribution

Also in South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal and NE Cape).

Ecology

Open dry coastal forest and secondary forest on sandy soil and on shale; c.100–150 m.

Conservation

Conservation notes: Widespread; Lower Risk, Least Concern.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 7–13(15)-foliolate; petiole 2–4.5(6) cm long; rachis 4.5–10.5 cm long; leaflets 2–9 × 1.5–4 cm, elliptic or oblong to oblong-elliptic or ovate-elliptic, rounded to acute and apiculate at the apex, rounded to cuneate at the base, glabrous on upper surface, finely appressed-pubescent beneath; lateral nerves in 9–12(16) pairs; stipules 4–6 mm long, deciduous; stipels 2–4 mm long, persistent; petiolules 3–4 mm long; characteristic curved striate buds in the leaf-axils. Leaves 7–13(15)-foliolate; petiole 2–4.5(6) cm long; rachis 4.5–10.5 cm long; leaflets 2–9 × 1.5–4 cm, elliptic or oblong to oblong-elliptic or ovate-elliptic, rounded to acute and apiculate at the apex, rounded to cuneate at the base, glabrous on upper surface, finely appressed-pubescent beneath; lateral nerves in 9–12(16) pairs; stipules 4–6 mm long, deciduous; stipels 2–4 mm long, persistent; petiolules 3–4 mm long; characteristic curved striate buds in the leaf-axils.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences branched panicles, 14–26 cm long; branches 1.5–8 cm long; bracts 1.7 mm long; pedicels 2.5–4 mm long; bracteoles 1.5–2 mm long, ovate, deciduous. Inflorescences branched panicles, 14–26 cm long; branches 1.5–8 cm long; bracts 1.7 mm long; pedicels 2.5–4 mm long; bracteoles 1.5–2 mm long, ovate, deciduous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx with silvery grey to dark brown velvety hairs; tube 2–4 mm long; lobes 2–2.5 mm long, rounded ovate, the upper two united except for the apical 0.3 mm. Calyx with silvery grey to dark brown velvety hairs; tube 2–4 mm long; lobes 2–2.5 mm long, rounded ovate, the upper two united except for the apical 0.3 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla violet, standard 1.3–1.6 × 1.2–1.3 cm, ± round, with transverse callus, silvery grey shiny silky pilose outside, with claw 2.5–3 mm long; wing-blades 13–14 × 4.5 mm, oblong-elliptic, with spur 1 mm long and claw 3 mm long; blades of keel petals 9–12 × 6 mm, elliptic, toothed at the base on upper side and with claw 3 mm long. Corolla violet, standard 1.3–1.6 × 1.2–1.3 cm, ± round, with transverse callus, silvery grey shiny silky pilose outside, with claw 2.5–3 mm long; wing-blades 13–14 × 4.5 mm, oblong-elliptic, with spur 1 mm long and claw 3 mm long; blades of keel petals 9–12 × 6 mm, elliptic, toothed at the base on upper side and with claw 3 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamen sheath 1–1.3 cm long; free parts of filaments 4–5 mm long; anthers 0.8–1 mm long; upper filament free at the base. Stamen sheath 1–1.3 cm long; free parts of filaments 4–5 mm long; anthers 0.8–1 mm long; upper filament free at the base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary 8 mm long, densely silky with light brown hairs, 5-ovuled; style 4.5 mm long, glabrous, bent through 40–45°; stigma small.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods woody, 5.5–9(15) × 1.5–2.7(3.5) cm, oblong or oblanceolate, margined, densely dark brown velvety when young, later glabrescent, with short beak, 1–3-seeded. Pods woody, 5.5–9(15) × 1.5–2.7(3.5) cm, oblong or oblanceolate, margined, densely dark brown velvety when young, later glabrescent, with short beak, 1–3-seeded.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds brownish-black, 12(20) × 9 mm, oblong, compressed. Seeds brownish-black, 12(20) × 9 mm, oblong, compressed.