Tephrosia ringoetii Baker f.

Flora Zambesiaca Leguminosae subfamily Papillionoideae by R.K. Brummitt

Morphology General Indumentum

Stems, at least the lower parts, conspicuously clothed with spreading, irregular, usually whitish, geniculate hairs up to 2 mm long.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves with (1)2–4(5) pairs of leaflets; petiole 5–9(13) cm long or on the upper leaves sometimes as short as 2 cm, petiole and rachis together (7)9–20(23) cm long, or on the upper leaves sometimes as short as 3.5 cm, with spreading whitish hairs like those on the stem; leaflets (2)4–9(10.5) × 0.2–0.8(1) cm, ± linear, rounded to subcuneate at the base, acute to rounded at the apex; upper surface glabrous, lower surface appressed- or irregularly pubescent; stipules (4)8–16(18) × (0.4)1–2.4 mm, linear-triangular, sometimes ± falcate, persistent. Leaves with (1)2–4(5) pairs of leaflets; petiole 5–9(13) cm long or on the upper leaves sometimes as short as 2 cm, petiole and rachis together (7)9–20(23) cm long, or on the upper leaves sometimes as short as 3.5 cm, with spreading whitish hairs like those on the stem; leaflets (2)4–9(10.5) × 0.2–0.8(1) cm, ± linear, rounded to subcuneate at the base, acute to rounded at the apex; upper surface glabrous, lower surface appressed- or irregularly pubescent; stipules (4)8–16(18) × (0.4)1–2.4 mm, linear-triangular, sometimes ± falcate, persistent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Each inflorescence axis terminated by a dense capitulum of flowers surrounded by conspicuous bracts which usually equal or exceed the calyces of the flowers, also often with flowers at 1–3(5) nodes below the terminal capitulum; bracts (4)6–8(9) × 0.5–1 mm, linear-triangular, purplish with villous whitish hairs, conspicuous and persistent; pedicels 3–5(7) mm long. Each inflorescence axis terminated by a dense capitulum of flowers surrounded by conspicuous bracts which usually equal or exceed the calyces of the flowers, also often with flowers at 1–3(5) nodes below the terminal capitulum; bracts (4)6–8(9) × 0.5–1 mm, linear-triangular, purplish with villous whitish hairs, conspicuous and persistent; pedicels 3–5(7) mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 3.5–6 mm long, usually purplish with villous greyish spreading hairs; upper teeth joined for not more than half their length; upper and lateral teeth about equalling the tube in length, the lower tooth up to 1.5 mm longer. Calyx 3.5–6 mm long, usually purplish with villous greyish spreading hairs; upper teeth joined for not more than half their length; upper and lateral teeth about equalling the tube in length, the lower tooth up to 1.5 mm longer.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals pale to deep pink or occasionally purplish; standard (10)11–15(16) mm long, ± cuneate at the base. Petals pale to deep pink or occasionally purplish; standard (10)11–15(16) mm long, ± cuneate at the base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Staminal tube joined above. Staminal tube joined above.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary pubescent, particularly on the sutures; style pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods 48–65 × (3.8)4–5 mm, usually minutely puberulent as well as having short, irregular or loosely appressed, usually geniculate hairs. Pods 48–65 × (3.8)4–5 mm, usually minutely puberulent as well as having short, irregular or loosely appressed, usually geniculate hairs.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 11–15(16). Seeds 11–15(16).

Distribution

Also in Congo (Katanga).

Ecology

In miombo woodland, grassland, mushitu, etc.; 1150–1350 m.

Morphology General Habit

Annual with a short taproot and tufterd habit with branching stem 30–100 cm high. Annual with a short taproot and tufterd habit with branching stem 30–100 cm high.

Morphology Stem

Stems, at least the lower parts, conspicuously clothed with spreading, irregular, usually whitish, geniculate hairs up to 2 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary pubescent, particularly on the sutures; style pubescent.