Tephrosia richardsiae J.B.Gillett

Flora Zambesiaca Leguminosae subfamily Papillionoideae by R.K. Brummitt

Morphology General Habit

Herbaceous annual to woody perennial shrub, erect or prostrate, somewhat bushy, 30–100 cm high. Herbaceous annual to woody perennial shrub, erect or prostrate, somewhat bushy, 30–100 cm high.

Morphology Stem

Stems densely pubescent to tomentose with whitish to rusty-brown upwardly appressed to deflexed hairs. Stems densely pubescent to tomentose with whitish to rusty-brown upwardly appressed to deflexed hairs.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves pinnate with (2)4–8 pairs of leaflets; petiole 0.3–1(1.5) cm long, petiole and rachis together (1)2–5(7) cm long, pubescent to tomentose like the stem; leaflets 1–3(3.7) × (0.3)0.4–0.7(0.9) cm, oblanceolate to narrowly obtriangular or narrowly elliptic, cuneate to rounded at the base, rounded to emarginate at the apex; upper surface glabrous or rarely the younger leaves appressed-pubescent and glabrescent, the lower surface densely appressed-pubescent with silvery hairs, silky; stipules 5–9(14) × 0.5–1 mm, linear, persistent. Leaves pinnate with (2)4–8 pairs of leaflets; petiole 0.3–1(1.5) cm long, petiole and rachis together (1)2–5(7) cm long, pubescent to tomentose like the stem; leaflets 1–3(3.7) × (0.3)0.4–0.7(0.9) cm, oblanceolate to narrowly obtriangular or narrowly elliptic, cuneate to rounded at the base, rounded to emarginate at the apex; upper surface glabrous or rarely the younger leaves appressed-pubescent and glabrescent, the lower surface densely appressed-pubescent with silvery hairs, silky; stipules 5–9(14) × 0.5–1 mm, linear, persistent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary pubescent; style glabrous, with pencillate tip.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers in dense heads 1–3(4) cm long, terminal on main or lateral branches and surrounded or exceeded by the upper leaves, and usually also some flowers in the axils of the 1–5 uppermost leaves; bracts 3–9 × 0.5–1 mm, linear; pedicels 2–3(5 in fruit) mm long. Flowers in dense heads 1–3(4) cm long, terminal on main or lateral branches and surrounded or exceeded by the upper leaves, and usually also some flowers in the axils of the 1–5 uppermost leaves; bracts 3–9 × 0.5–1 mm, linear; pedicels 2–3(5 in fruit) mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx (5)6–9 mm long, densely pubescent with appressed to spreading hairs, grey, or brown on the teeth; lateral teeth equalling or somewhat exceeding the tube, upper teeth joined for less than ⅓ their length or ± free to the base. Calyx (5)6–9 mm long, densely pubescent with appressed to spreading hairs, grey, or brown on the teeth; lateral teeth equalling or somewhat exceeding the tube, upper teeth joined for less than ? their length or ± free to the base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 12–18 mm long, yellow or orange to pinkish. Petals 12–18 mm long, yellow or orange to pinkish.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamen tube connate above. Stamen tube connate above.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary pubescent; style glabrous, with pencillate tip.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods 30–44 × 3.5–5 mm, lanate-tomentose with grey or brown hairs, those at the margin sometimes conspicuously darker than those on the surfaces. Pods 30–44 × 3.5–5 mm, lanate-tomentose with grey or brown hairs, those at the margin sometimes conspicuously darker than those on the surfaces.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 6–9, c.2.8 × 2 × 1 mm, blackish-brown, ± ovoid, with a small rim aril towards the narrower end. Seeds 6–9, c.2.8 × 2 × 1 mm, blackish-brown, ± ovoid, with a small rim aril towards the narrower end.