Tephrosia polystachya E.Mey.

International Legume Database and Information Service

Conservation

Not Threatened

Morphology General Habit

Annual, Not climbing, Herb/Shrub

Flora Zambesiaca Leguminosae subfamily Papillionoideae by R.K. Brummitt

Morphology General Indumentum

Young stems with appressed to spreading short brown hairs, particularly on the ridges of the stem.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 6–10 mm long, purplish to pink, or white and purple. Petals 6–10 mm long, purplish to pink, or white and purple.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary pubescent; style glabrous, not twisted.

Morphology General Habit

Probably usually short-lived perennial 60–150(200) cm high, erect, branched, sometimes becoming somewhat woody at the base. Probably usually short-lived perennial 60–150(200) cm high, erect, branched, sometimes becoming somewhat woody at the base.

Morphology Stem

Young stems with appressed to spreading short brown hairs, particularly on the ridges of the stem.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves pinnate with (4)5–11 pairs of leaflets; petiole 0–2(2.7) cm long, petiole and rachis together (1.5)2.5–9 cm long; leaflets (0.8)1–2.5(3.5) × 0.2–1.0(1.3) cm, narrowly oblong or linear-elliptic to oblanceolate or obovate (see groups below), cuneate at the base, ± acute to rounded at the apex; upper surface glabrous or pubescent, lower surface appressed-pubescent; stipules 3–9(11) × 0.3–1 mm. Leaves pinnate with (4)5–11 pairs of leaflets; petiole 0–2(2.7) cm long, petiole and rachis together (1.5)2.5–9 cm long; leaflets (0.8)1–2.5(3.5) × 0.2–1.0(1.3) cm, narrowly oblong or linear-elliptic to oblanceolate or obovate (see groups below), cuneate at the base, ± acute to rounded at the apex; upper surface glabrous or pubescent, lower surface appressed-pubescent; stipules 3–9(11) × 0.3–1 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers in terminal and axillary inflorescences up to 15(25) cm long, the lateral ones often exceeding the leaves and ascending to form a pseudocorymb; bracts 2–5 × 0.5 mm, linear-triangular; pedicels 2–5 mm long. Flowers in terminal and axillary inflorescences up to 15(25) cm long, the lateral ones often exceeding the leaves and ascending to form a pseudocorymb; bracts 2–5 × 0.5 mm, linear-triangular; pedicels 2–5 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 2.5–7 mm long (see groups below), appressed-pubescent; lateral teeth half as long as to ± equalling the tube; upper teeth connate for about half their length. Calyx 2.5–7 mm long (see groups below), appressed-pubescent; lateral teeth half as long as to ± equalling the tube; upper teeth connate for about half their length.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Staminal tube joined above. Staminal tube joined above.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary pubescent; style glabrous, not twisted.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods 33–52 × 3–5 mm, straight or slightly and gradually curved upwards, fairly thinly to densely pubescent with usually short greyish hairs. Pods 33–52 × 3–5 mm, straight or slightly and gradually curved upwards, fairly thinly to densely pubescent with usually short greyish hairs.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 7–8(10). Seeds 7–8(10).