Tephrosia festina Brummitt

Flora Zambesiaca Leguminosae subfamily Papillionoideae by R.K. Brummitt

Morphology General Indumentum

Young branches shortly grey or brown tomentose.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 13–17 mm long, purple; standard truncate to broadly cuneate at the base. Petals 13–17 mm long, purple; standard truncate to broadly cuneate at the base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamen tube 9–10 mm long, fused above. Stamen tube 9–10 mm long, fused above.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary appressed-pubescent; style pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods 52–60 × 7–8 mm, lanate-tomentose with the hairs grey at least at their tips. Pods 52–60 × 7–8 mm, lanate-tomentose with the hairs grey at least at their tips.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 5–6. Seeds 5–6.

Distribution

Known only from the mountains of Nyanga and Mutare Districts, on or among granite rocks in montane grassland, but more information required.

Morphology General Habit

Shrub to 5 m high. Shrub to 5 m high.

Morphology Branches

Young branches shortly grey or brown tomentose.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves pinnate with 7–13 pairs of leaflets; petiole and rachis shortly grey or brown tomentose; leaflets and stipules similar to those of T. praecana (see above). Leaves pinnate with 7–13 pairs of leaflets; petiole and rachis shortly grey or brown tomentose; leaflets and stipules similar to those of T. praecana (see above).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence in flower compact and subglobose, exceeded by the upper leaves, elongated to up to 10 cm in fruit; bracts large and conspicuous but soon falling, up to 14 × 12 mm, ± orbicular-acuminate, densely and shortly grey or brown tomentose. Inflorescence in flower compact and subglobose, exceeded by the upper leaves, elongated to up to 10 cm in fruit; bracts large and conspicuous but soon falling, up to 14 × 12 mm, ± orbicular-acuminate, densely and shortly grey or brown tomentose.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 9–12 mm long; teeth equalling or longer than the campanulate part, the two upper ones joined for most of their length to form an acute triangle with their apices free for only 1 mm. Calyx 9–12 mm long; teeth equalling or longer than the campanulate part, the two upper ones joined for most of their length to form an acute triangle with their apices free for only 1 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary appressed-pubescent; style pubescent.