Tephrosia grandibracteata Merxm.

Flora Zambesiaca Leguminosae subfamily Papillionoideae by R.K. Brummitt

Morphology General Indumentum

Young branches shortly and closely appressed golden-brown pubescent.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves with (7)9–14(16) pairs of leaflets; pubescence of petiole and rachis similar to that of young branches; leaflets up to 40(48) × 12(15) mm, elliptic-oblong, ± rounded at base and apex, strongly mucronate, the margins somewhat incurved towards the upper surface, the upper surface glabrous, the lower surface shortly and closely appressed- brownish pubescent with hairs not or scarcely overlapping each other; stipules 5–15 × 1–1.5 mm, ± linear. Leaves with (7)9–14(16) pairs of leaflets; pubescence of petiole and rachis similar to that of young branches; leaflets up to 40(48) × 12(15) mm, elliptic-oblong, ± rounded at base and apex, strongly mucronate, the margins somewhat incurved towards the upper surface, the upper surface glabrous, the lower surface shortly and closely appressed- brownish pubescent with hairs not or scarcely overlapping each other; stipules 5–15 × 1–1.5 mm, ± linear.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence at first an ovoid head exceeded by the upper leaves, elongating to 10 cm in fruit; bracts large and very conspicuous but soon falling, up to 20 × 13 mm, ovate to obovate and tapered gradually to a long-acute apex, shortly and closely appressed brown pubescent; pedicels 7–12 mm long (to 18 mm in fruit), appressed-pubescent. Inflorescence at first an ovoid head exceeded by the upper leaves, elongating to 10 cm in fruit; bracts large and very conspicuous but soon falling, up to 20 × 13 mm, ovate to obovate and tapered gradually to a long-acute apex, shortly and closely appressed brown pubescent; pedicels 7–12 mm long (to 18 mm in fruit), appressed-pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 9–13 mm long, the teeth longer than the campanulate part, the two upper teeth joined for most of their length to form a broad triangle with only the terminal 1–2 mm free; the whole shortly and rather thinly appressed-pubescent. Calyx 9–13 mm long, the teeth longer than the campanulate part, the two upper teeth joined for most of their length to form a broad triangle with only the terminal 1–2 mm free; the whole shortly and rather thinly appressed-pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 20–27 mm long, purple; standard as broad as long, broadly rounded to emarginate at the apex, ± truncate at the base; lower margin of keel curved through c.90°. Petals 20–27 mm long, purple; standard as broad as long, broadly rounded to emarginate at the apex, ± truncate at the base; lower margin of keel curved through c.90°.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamen tube 15–18 mm long. Stamen tube 15–18 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary shortly appressed-pubescent; style pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods 7–8.5 × 0.6–0.8 cm, the sutures somewhat broadened, surfaces closely appressed dark brown pubescent. Pods 7–8.5 × 0.6–0.8 cm, the sutures somewhat broadened, surfaces closely appressed dark brown pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds c.8. Seeds c.8.

Distribution

Endemic to the broad Nyanga area.

Ecology

Often forming associations at forest margins or in open grassland; 1800–2250 m.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary shortly appressed-pubescent; style pubescent.

Morphology General Habit

Shrub up to 3(5) m high. Shrub up to 3(5) m high.

Morphology Branches

Young branches shortly and closely appressed golden-brown pubescent.

International Legume Database and Information Service

Conservation

Insufficiently known

Ecology

Africa: Afromontane(upland) bushland and thicket., Afromontane grassland

Morphology General Habit

Perennial, Not climbing, Shrub