Tephrosia limpopoensis J.B.Gillett

Flora Zambesiaca Leguminosae subfamily Papillionoideae by R.K. Brummitt

Morphology General Habit

Perennial low shrub up to 1 m high, the older parts woody and defoliate. Perennial low shrub up to 1 m high, the older parts woody and defoliate.

Morphology General Indumentum

Young stems densely appressed-pubescent with grey hairs, older stems with rugose bark.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves with 1 or 2 pairs of lateral leaflets; petiole up to 1 cm long, petiole and rachis together up to 2 cm long; leaflets up to 2.6 × 0.6 cm, oblanceolate, rounded and ± recurved beneath at the apex; upper surface glabrous, lower surface sparsely appressed-pubescent; stipules 4–5 × c.0.5 mm, linear. Leaves with 1 or 2 pairs of lateral leaflets; petiole up to 1 cm long, petiole and rachis together up to 2 cm long; leaflets up to 2.6 × 0.6 cm, oblanceolate, rounded and ± recurved beneath at the apex; upper surface glabrous, lower surface sparsely appressed-pubescent; stipules 4–5 × c.0.5 mm, linear.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers in short few-flowered terminal racemes and in the axils of upper leaves; bracts c.2 mm long; pedicels 2–3 mm long. Flowers in short few-flowered terminal racemes and in the axils of upper leaves; bracts c.2 mm long; pedicels 2–3 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx c.5 mm long, grey-pubescent; lateral teeth about equalling the tube, the two upper teeth joined for ± half their length. Calyx c.5 mm long, grey-pubescent; lateral teeth about equalling the tube, the two upper teeth joined for ± half their length.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 7–10 mm long. Petals 7–10 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary pubescent; style glabrous.

Distribution

Also in South Africa (Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces).

Ecology

Known in the Flora area from only the one collection cited, from Colophospermum mopane bush; 400 m.

Morphology Stem

Young stems densely appressed-pubescent with grey hairs, older stems with rugose bark.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Upper stamen almost free. Upper stamen almost free.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary pubescent; style glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods c.33 cm long, rather sparsely appressed-pubescent. Pods c.33 cm long, rather sparsely appressed-pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 7–8. Seeds 7–8.