Tephrosia curvata De Wild.

Flora Zambesiaca Leguminosae subfamily Papillionoideae by R.K. Brummitt

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary pubescent; style glabrous, with pencillate tip.

Distribution

Also in Congo (Katanga) and Tanzania (Ufipa Dist.).

Ecology

Usually in grassland and woodland on sandy or stony ground; 750–1300 m.

Morphology General Habit

Perennial with a stout woody stock with several slender, erect or upcurved, branching stems 45–100 cm high. Perennial with a stout woody stock with several slender, erect or upcurved, branching stems 45–100 cm high.

Morphology Stem

Stems glabrous, or very shortly and sparsely pubescent in the upper parts. Stems glabrous, or very shortly and sparsely pubescent in the upper parts.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves pinnate with (3)5–8 pairs of leaflets; petiole 0.3–1.3 cm long, petiole and rachis together (1.5)2–7.5(9) cm long, glabrous to sparsely and shortly appressed-pubescent; leaflets 1–2.7 × 0.15–4(5) cm, linear-elliptic or linear-oblong to almost linear, cuneate to rounded at the base, obtusely pointed to rounded at the apex; upper surface glabrous, lower surface very shortly appressed-pubescent; stipules 2–3.5 × c.0.2 mm, subulate. Leaves pinnate with (3)5–8 pairs of leaflets; petiole 0.3–1.3 cm long, petiole and rachis together (1.5)2–7.5(9) cm long, glabrous to sparsely and shortly appressed-pubescent; leaflets 1–2.7 × 0.15–4(5) cm, linear-elliptic or linear-oblong to almost linear, cuneate to rounded at the base, obtusely pointed to rounded at the apex; upper surface glabrous, lower surface very shortly appressed-pubescent; stipules 2–3.5 × c.0.2 mm, subulate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers in terminal and lateral racemes, the lateral ones subtended either by foliage leaves or small bracts, the whole often appearing ± paniculate; bracts minute, 0.5–1 mm long; pedicels 2–3 mm long. Flowers in terminal and lateral racemes, the lateral ones subtended either by foliage leaves or small bracts, the whole often appearing ± paniculate; bracts minute, 0.5–1 mm long; pedicels 2–3 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 3–3.5 mm long, very shortly appressed-pubescent; teeth short and broad, the lateral ones ⅓–½ as long as the tube, ± obtuse, the upper ones joined for most of their length and distinguishable only as two short apicula. Calyx 3–3.5 mm long, very shortly appressed-pubescent; teeth short and broad, the lateral ones ?–½ as long as the tube, ± obtuse, the upper ones joined for most of their length and distinguishable only as two short apicula.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 9–11 mm long, usually white, occasionally pinkish or dull yellowish-brown; standard strongly reflexed. Petals 9–11 mm long, usually white, occasionally pinkish or dull yellowish-brown; standard strongly reflexed.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Staminal tube joined above. Staminal tube joined above.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary pubescent; style glabrous, with pencillate tip.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods 20–40 × c.5 mm, asymmetrically clavate in outline, more rounded on the lower side near the apex, with 1–2 seeds in the upper part, from there tapered to the base, shortly appressed-pubescent. Pods 20–40 × c.5 mm, asymmetrically clavate in outline, more rounded on the lower side near the apex, with 1–2 seeds in the upper part, from there tapered to the base, shortly appressed-pubescent.