Tephrosia decora Welw. ex Baker

Flora Zambesiaca Leguminosae subfamily Papillionoideae by R.K. Brummitt

Morphology Stem

Stems closely appressed-pubescent to occasionally ascending or spreading-pubescent, with usually light brown hairs. Stems closely appressed-pubescent to occasionally ascending or spreading-pubescent, with usually light brown hairs.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves pinnate with (1)3–6(8) pairs of leaflets; petiole (0.2)0.3–1.2(2.2) cm long, petiole and rachis together (1)2–6(7) cm long, pubescent like the stem; leaflets (0.5)1–2.7(3.8) × 0.3–0.6(1.0) cm, narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate, 3–5(6) times as long as broad, ± cuneate at the base, obtuse to emarginate at the apex; upper surface glabrous or occasionally sparsely appressed-pubescent, lower surface densely appressed-pubescent with greyish or silvery hairs, sometimes ± silky; stipules 2–4(6) × 0.1–0.3(0.5) mm, ± subulate. Leaves pinnate with (1)3–6(8) pairs of leaflets; petiole (0.2)0.3–1.2(2.2) cm long, petiole and rachis together (1)2–6(7) cm long, pubescent like the stem; leaflets (0.5)1–2.7(3.8) × 0.3–0.6(1.0) cm, narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate, 3–5(6) times as long as broad, ± cuneate at the base, obtuse to emarginate at the apex; upper surface glabrous or occasionally sparsely appressed-pubescent, lower surface densely appressed-pubescent with greyish or silvery hairs, sometimes ± silky; stipules 2–4(6) × 0.1–0.3(0.5) mm, ± subulate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary pubescent; style glabrous, with pencillate.

Distribution

Also in Congo, S Tanzania and Angola.

Ecology

Usually in woodland (Brachystegia, Uapaca), often on sandy soils; 720–1525 m.

Morphology General Habit

Annual with erect or decumbent-ascending branched stems, (15)30–80(100) cm high. Annual with erect or decumbent-ascending branched stems, (15)30–80(100) cm high.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers in terminal and axillary, slender, lax racemes up to 15(19) cm long, sometimes also in the axils of the uppermost foliage leaves; bracts 1–2(4) × 0.3 mm, ± subulate; pedicels 2–3(5 in fruit) mm long. Flowers in terminal and axillary, slender, lax racemes up to 15(19) cm long, sometimes also in the axils of the uppermost foliage leaves; bracts 1–2(4) × 0.3 mm, ± subulate; pedicels 2–3(5 in fruit) mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 3–4 mm long, densely pubescent with appressed or ascending brown hairs; lateral teeth equalling or somewhat longer than the tube, upper teeth joined for up to ¼ their length or free to the base. Calyx 3–4 mm long, densely pubescent with appressed or ascending brown hairs; lateral teeth equalling or somewhat longer than the tube, upper teeth joined for up to ¼ their length or free to the base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 6–8 mm long, orange, yellow, red or pink. Petals 6–8 mm long, orange, yellow, red or pink.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Upper stamen free. Upper stamen free.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary pubescent; style glabrous, with pencillate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods 32–52 × 3.5–4.5 mm, brown with appressed or ascending brown hairs. Pods 32–52 × 3.5–4.5 mm, brown with appressed or ascending brown hairs.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds (9)10–11(12), 2.2–2.8 × 1.3–1.8 × 0.5–0.8 mm, brown or blackish, asymmetrically ovoid, with a conspicuous whitish aril 0.5–0.8 mm long on the longer side towards the narrower end. Seeds (9)10–11(12), 2.2–2.8 × 1.3–1.8 × 0.5–0.8 mm, brown or blackish, asymmetrically ovoid, with a conspicuous whitish aril 0.5–0.8 mm long on the longer side towards the narrower end.