Tephrosia tanganicensis De Wild.

Flora Zambesiaca Leguminosae subfamily Papillionoideae by R.K. Brummitt

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary brownish tomentose; style pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods 4–6 × 0.7–1 cm, oblong, style base pointing slightly downwards, densely brown tomentose, the hairs darkest along the edges, becoming silvery on the sides. Pods 4–6 × 0.7–1 cm, oblong, style base pointing slightly downwards, densely brown tomentose, the hairs darkest along the edges, becoming silvery on the sides.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 6–8, lying transversely and separated from each other by inward projections of the endocarp, 4–5 × 3–3.5 mm, oblong-reniform, the hilum towards the narrower basal end of the seed and covered by a large conspicuous wedge-shaped aril. Seeds 6–8, lying transversely and separated from each other by inward projections of the endocarp, 4–5 × 3–3.5 mm, oblong-reniform, the hilum towards the narrower basal end of the seed and covered by a large conspicuous wedge-shaped aril.

Distribution

Also in Tanzania.

Ecology

Miombo woodland; 1150–1450 m.

Morphology General Habit

Robust single-stemmed annual or short-lived perennial herb, 0.5–2 m tall, erect from a taproot, shortly branched above. Robust single-stemmed annual or short-lived perennial herb, 0.5–2 m tall, erect from a taproot, shortly branched above.

Morphology Stem

Stem with a dense indumentum of brownish hairs, persisting and becoming paler on older parts. Stem with a dense indumentum of brownish hairs, persisting and becoming paler on older parts.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves with (1)2–3(4) pairs of leaflets; petiole and rachis (if present) together 1–5 cm long; leaflets 2–6 × 0.5–1.5 cm, oblanceolate, cuneate at the base, rounded to more commonly emarginate at the apex, glabrous to shortly and sparsely pubescent above, densely covered with silvery appressed hairs beneath; lateral nerves closely set and very numerous; stipules 3–8 mm long, narrowly triangular. Leaves with (1)2–3(4) pairs of leaflets; petiole and rachis (if present) together 1–5 cm long; leaflets 2–6 × 0.5–1.5 cm, oblanceolate, cuneate at the base, rounded to more commonly emarginate at the apex, glabrous to shortly and sparsely pubescent above, densely covered with silvery appressed hairs beneath; lateral nerves closely set and very numerous; stipules 3–8 mm long, narrowly triangular.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers 6–12 in terminal sessile heads; pedicels short, up to 5 mm long in fruit; bracts resembling the stipules. Flowers 6–12 in terminal sessile heads; pedicels short, up to 5 mm long in fruit; bracts resembling the stipules.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 9–12 mm long, brown tomentose; lateral teeth 2–3 times as long as the campanulate part, narrowly triangular, the lower one longer. Calyx 9–12 mm long, brown tomentose; lateral teeth 2–3 times as long as the campanulate part, narrowly triangular, the lower one longer.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Standard c.12 mm long, orange- to apricot-yellow inside, brownish tomentose outside. Standard c.12 mm long, orange- to apricot-yellow inside, brownish tomentose outside.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Upper filament free or shortly attached to the sheath for 2–4 mm. Upper filament free or shortly attached to the sheath for 2–4 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary brownish tomentose; style pubescent.