Tephrosia argyrotricha Harms

Flora Zambesiaca Leguminosae subfamily Papillionoideae by R.K. Brummitt

Morphology Leaves

Leaves pinnate with (4)6–11 pairs of leaflets; petiole 0.1–0.3 cm long, petiole and rachis together 1.4–5 cm long, pubescent like the stem; leaflets (5)7–16 × (1)1.5–3.5(4.5) mm, oblanceolate to narrow-oblanceolate, 3–6 times as long as broad, subcuneate at the base, rounded to emarginate at the apex; upper surface glabrous or shortly pubescent, lower surface densely appressed-pubescent with silvery hairs; stipules 3–5(6) × c.0.2 mm, ± subulate. Leaves pinnate with (4)6–11 pairs of leaflets; petiole 0.1–0.3 cm long, petiole and rachis together 1.4–5 cm long, pubescent like the stem; leaflets (5)7–16 × (1)1.5–3.5(4.5) mm, oblanceolate to narrow-oblanceolate, 3–6 times as long as broad, subcuneate at the base, rounded to emarginate at the apex; upper surface glabrous or shortly pubescent, lower surface densely appressed-pubescent with silvery hairs; stipules 3–5(6) × c.0.2 mm, ± subulate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers in terminal and axillary racemes 3–18 cm long and in the axils of up to 5 upper leaves; bracts 1–2.5 × c.0.2 mm, ± subulate; pedicels 1.5–3 mm long. Flowers in terminal and axillary racemes 3–18 cm long and in the axils of up to 5 upper leaves; bracts 1–2.5 × c.0.2 mm, ± subulate; pedicels 1.5–3 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 4–5 mm long, covered with longish, appressed to ascending brown or grey hairs; lateral teeth about equalling the tube, upper teeth connate for ½–? their length. Calyx 4–5 mm long, covered with longish, appressed to ascending brown or grey hairs; lateral teeth about equalling the tube, upper teeth connate for ½–⅔ their length.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 7–9 mm long, orange, red or pink or sometimes somewhat purplish. Petals 7–9 mm long, orange, red or pink or sometimes somewhat purplish.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Upper stamen free. Upper stamen free.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary pubescent; style glabrous, with pencillate tip.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods 32–47 × 3–3.5 mm, margins with dark brown hairs, surfaces with light brownish-grey to silvery appressed hairs. Pods 32–47 × 3–3.5 mm, margins with dark brown hairs, surfaces with light brownish-grey to silvery appressed hairs.

Distribution

Also in Tanzania, as far north as Mwanza Dist., and in Burundi.

Ecology

Usually in miombo woodland.

Morphology General Habit

Annual or perhaps sometimes a short-lived perennial, with erect, branched stems 45–150 cm high. Annual or perhaps sometimes a short-lived perennial, with erect, branched stems 45–150 cm high.

Morphology Stem

Stems with dense, ± appressed, grey or silvery hairs. Stems with dense, ± appressed, grey or silvery hairs.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary pubescent; style glabrous, with pencillate tip.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 8–9, 2–2.8 × 1–1.6 × 0.8–1 mm, oblongoid, with a very small aril excentrically placed on one of the longer sides. Seeds 8–9, 2–2.8 × 1–1.6 × 0.8–1 mm, oblongoid, with a very small aril excentrically placed on one of the longer sides.