Tephrosia euchroa I.Verd.

Flora Zambesiaca Leguminosae subfamily Papillionoideae by R.K. Brummitt

Morphology General Habit

Probably a short-lived perennial with a stout taproot and branching stems 25–100 cm high forming a low bush, somewhat woody towards the base. Probably a short-lived perennial with a stout taproot and branching stems 25–100 cm high forming a low bush, somewhat woody towards the base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamen tube connate above. Stamen tube connate above.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary pubescent; style pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods (35)60–65 × 4.5–5 mm, shortly and rather sparsely appressed-pubescent. Pods (35)60–65 × 4.5–5 mm, shortly and rather sparsely appressed-pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 11–13, c.3.5 × 2 × 1.3 mm, ± oblong, with a small white aril in the middle of one of the long sides, the testa with a conspicuous irregular pattern of dark brown markings on a light brown background. Seeds 11–13, c.3.5 × 2 × 1.3 mm, ± oblong, with a small white aril in the middle of one of the long sides, the testa with a conspicuous irregular pattern of dark brown markings on a light brown background.

Distribution

Also in South Africa (Limpopo Province).

Ecology

In South Africa recorded from rocky places, low bushveld and Mopane veld on black turf soils; 300–450 m.

Morphology Stem

Stems usually fairly densely appressed-pubescent with grey hairs, rarely spreading-pubescent or subglabrous. Stems usually fairly densely appressed-pubescent with grey hairs, rarely spreading-pubescent or subglabrous.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves pinnate with (3)4–8 pairs of leaflets; petiole 0.5–2.5(3.3) cm long, petiole and rachis together 3–10 cm long, pubescent like the stem; leaflets 1–3.5(4.5) × 0.3–0.8(1) cm, narrowly elliptic to linear-elliptic, rounded to subcuneate at the base, acute to rounded at the apex; upper surface glabrous or appressed-pubescent, lower surface appressed-pubescent; stipules 5–10 × (0.4)1–2 mm, linear-triangular. Leaves pinnate with (3)4–8 pairs of leaflets; petiole 0.5–2.5(3.3) cm long, petiole and rachis together 3–10 cm long, pubescent like the stem; leaflets 1–3.5(4.5) × 0.3–0.8(1) cm, narrowly elliptic to linear-elliptic, rounded to subcuneate at the base, acute to rounded at the apex; upper surface glabrous or appressed-pubescent, lower surface appressed-pubescent; stipules 5–10 × (0.4)1–2 mm, linear-triangular.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers in terminal racemes, sometimes with the lowermost flowers in the axils of the uppermost leaves; bracts 3–5 × 0.5–1 mm, linear-triangular, falling early, somewhat purplish with grey pubescence; pedicels 2–4 mm long. Flowers in terminal racemes, sometimes with the lowermost flowers in the axils of the uppermost leaves; bracts 3–5 × 0.5–1 mm, linear-triangular, falling early, somewhat purplish with grey pubescence; pedicels 2–4 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx (3)4–6(7) mm long, usually somewhat purplish with appressed to spreading grey hairs; upper teeth connate for about half their length; lateral teeth about equalling the tube, triangular-acuminate. Calyx (3)4–6(7) mm long, usually somewhat purplish with appressed to spreading grey hairs; upper teeth connate for about half their length; lateral teeth about equalling the tube, triangular-acuminate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals (13)14–18(20) mm long, pink or red or sometimes purplish-red. Petals (13)14–18(20) mm long, pink or red or sometimes purplish-red.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary pubescent; style pubescent.