Trifolium masaiense J.B.Gillett

Leguminosae, J. B. Gillett, R. M. Polhill & B. Verdcourt. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1971

Diagnostic

Differs from T. semipilosum in being annual and in the calyx-teeth which are ± 5 mm. long and 2–3 times as long as the tube. The leaflets are also often more strongly toothed.

Morphology General Habit

Usually erect or ascending up to 60 cm. tall, occasionally the lower parts of the stems may be prostrate and then sometimes rooting at the nodes.

Morphology Leaves

Leaflets ± elliptic or obovate, rounded or emarginate at the tip, up to 3 cm. long, pilose only on the midrib beneath; main nerves 12–16 on each side, at an angle of ± 40° with the midrib.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Standard ± 10 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary glabrous, 4-ovulate.

Leguminosae, various authors. Flora Zambesiaca 3:7. 2003

Morphology General Habit

Annual herb.

Morphology Stem

Stems erect or ascending, sometimes rooting at the nodes.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves with petioles free for the greater part of their length; leaflets ± elliptic, rounded at the apex, cuneate at the base, strongly toothed, pilose only on the midrib beneath, the lateral nerves c. 14 on each side; petiole often more than twice as long as the leaflets; stipules with the adnate part c. 7 mm long, the free part c. 7 mm long, acuminate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence ± globose; peduncles longer than the leaves, pilose.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers with pedicels pilose, reflexed in fruit.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx sparsely pilose, green or straw-coloured; tube 10–11-nerved; teeth c. 5 mm long, 2–3 times as long as the tube.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla pinkish; standard c. 10 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary glabrous, 4-ovulate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pod papyraceous, 4-seeded.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds not seen.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/47435862/47435865

Conservation

LC - least concern

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation

Predicted extinction risk: threatened. Confidence: confident