Tephrosia zambiana Brummitt

International Legume Database and Information Service

Conservation

Insufficiently known

Morphology General Habit

Perennial, Not climbing, Herb

Flora Zambesiaca Leguminosae subfamily Papillionoideae by R.K. Brummitt

Morphology General Habit

Suffrutex with herbaceous unbranched stems up to 35 cm high. Suffrutex with herbaceous unbranched stems up to 35 cm high.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 9–11 mm long, whitish appressed-tomentose, the teeth 5–7 mm long, subequal, 1.5–2 times as long as the tube, the two upper ones joined for about ? of their length, the lower one ± channelled and somewhat upwardly curved at its tip. Calyx 9–11 mm long, whitish appressed-tomentose, the teeth 5–7 mm long, subequal, 1.5–2 times as long as the tube, the two upper ones joined for about ⅓ of their length, the lower one ± channelled and somewhat upwardly curved at its tip.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Staminal tube not fused above, the upper filament free. Staminal tube not fused above, the upper filament free.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary ± tomentose; style pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods not seen. Pods not seen.

Ecology

Known only from the type collection, from miombo woodland.

Morphology Stem

Stems densely whitish appressed-pubescent. Stems densely whitish appressed-pubescent.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves predominantly 3-foliolate but some very small lower leaves unifoliolate or upper leaves 5-foliolate; petiole and rachis together up to 2 cm long, the rachis usually distinctly longer than the petiole, similar in pubescence to the stem; leaflets up to 5.5 × 1.1 cm, the terminal one slightly larger than the others, ± narrowly oblong, cuneate to rather strongly inrolled above at the base, obtuse to emarginate at the apex, the upper surface glabrous, the lower surface densely silky whitish appressed-pubescent and subsericeous when young; stipules c.6 × 0.8 mm, linear-triangular, pubescent on outer surface. Leaves predominantly 3-foliolate but some very small lower leaves unifoliolate or upper leaves 5-foliolate; petiole and rachis together up to 2 cm long, the rachis usually distinctly longer than the petiole, similar in pubescence to the stem; leaflets up to 5.5 × 1.1 cm, the terminal one slightly larger than the others, ± narrowly oblong, cuneate to rather strongly inrolled above at the base, obtuse to emarginate at the apex, the upper surface glabrous, the lower surface densely silky whitish appressed-pubescent and subsericeous when young; stipules c.6 × 0.8 mm, linear-triangular, pubescent on outer surface.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers in terminal racemes with at least 5–8 distinct nodes, clearly exceeding the uppermost leaves, or sometimes with the lowermost flowers in the axil of the one or two uppermost leaves; bracts resembling the stipules; pedicels 3–7 mm long, tomentose. Flowers in terminal racemes with at least 5–8 distinct nodes, clearly exceeding the uppermost leaves, or sometimes with the lowermost flowers in the axil of the one or two uppermost leaves; bracts resembling the stipules; pedicels 3–7 mm long, tomentose.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 18–20 mm long, probably purplish or the keel whitish; standard suborbicular, broadly cuneate towards the claw. Petals 18–20 mm long, probably purplish or the keel whitish; standard suborbicular, broadly cuneate towards the claw.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary ± tomentose; style pubescent.