Tephrosia acaciifolia Welw. ex Baker

Flora Zambesiaca Leguminosae subfamily Papillionoideae by R.K. Brummitt

Morphology General Habit

Annual or short-lived perennial herb up to 60(130) cm high, with simple to much branched stems. Annual or short-lived perennial herb up to 60(130) cm high, with simple to much branched stems.

Morphology Stem

Stems closely appressed- to ascending-pubescent. Stems closely appressed- to ascending-pubescent.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves unifoliolate; petiole 0–2 mm long; lamina 5–17 × 0.4–1.7 cm (or those on shorter branches somewhat smaller), linear-lanceolate to linear, (5)7–14(18) times as long as broad, the upper surface glabrous, the lower surface appressed- or rarely spreading-pubescent; stipules up to 5 mm long, triangular-linear. Leaves unifoliolate; petiole 0–2 mm long; lamina 5–17 × 0.4–1.7 cm (or those on shorter branches somewhat smaller), linear-lanceolate to linear, (5)7–14(18) times as long as broad, the upper surface glabrous, the lower surface appressed- or rarely spreading-pubescent; stipules up to 5 mm long, triangular-linear.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers in elongate lax racemes up to 15 cm long, or commonly the lower flowers in the axils of the upper 1–2 foliage leaves, rarely with foliage leaves in the middle of the inflorescence; pedicels 1–3 mm long. Flowers in elongate lax racemes up to 15 cm long, or commonly the lower flowers in the axils of the upper 1–2 foliage leaves, rarely with foliage leaves in the middle of the inflorescence; pedicels 1–3 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx (2.5)3–5(6) mm long, brown pubescent, the teeth acute, equal or up to twice as long as the tube, the two upper ones joined for ½–? their length. Calyx (2.5)3–5(6) mm long, brown pubescent, the teeth acute, equal or up to twice as long as the tube, the two upper ones joined for ½–⅔ their length.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals orange to red or pink, 2–3 times as long as the calyx; standard conspicuously brown pubescent on outside, 8–11(12) mm long, the limb suborbicular, subtruncate at the base; wings and keel slightly shorter than the standard. Petals orange to red or pink, 2–3 times as long as the calyx; standard conspicuously brown pubescent on outside, 8–11(12) mm long, the limb suborbicular, subtruncate at the base; wings and keel slightly shorter than the standard.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamen tube rather loosely fused dorsally. Stamen tube rather loosely fused dorsally.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary pubescent; style glabrous, with pencillate tip.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods (25)40–60 × 2.5–3.5 mm, closely to loosely appressed-pubescent, the hairs on the sutures dark brown to blackish and conspicuously darker than the grey or whitish hairs covering the surfaces. Pods (25)40–60 × 2.5–3.5 mm, closely to loosely appressed-pubescent, the hairs on the sutures dark brown to blackish and conspicuously darker than the grey or whitish hairs covering the surfaces.

Distribution

Also in Tanzania, Angola, Namibia and South Africa (Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng Provinces).

Ecology

Woodland and open ground, often at roadsides, etc. 1050–1400 m.;

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary pubescent; style glabrous, with pencillate tip.