Cajanus crassus (Prain ex King) Maesen

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: not threatened. Confidence: confident

Seed Collecting Guide. RBG Kew (2013-2016)

Morphology General Habit

Perrenial climbers, supported by trees

Morphology Branches

Branches brownish pubescent (hairs very short), terete, firm, length up to 10 m

Morphology Leaves Stipules

Stipules minute, ca 1 mm, triangular, caducous

Morphology Leaves

Pinnately trifoliolate, petiole 4-11 cm, rachis 0.3-1 cm

Morphology Leaves Leaflets

Leaflets coriaceous, thick, lower suriace brownish pubescent, also on the thick prominent ribs, glandular-punctate, upper suriace dark green, thinly puberulous especially on the veins; top leaflet subtrapezoid, acuminate, 3.5-10 cm long, 3-9.5 cm wide, below the middle narrowing to the rounded or cordate base, apex acuminate-cuspidate, side leaflets obliquely so, 3.5-10 cm long, 2.5-7.5 cm wide, petiolules 2-3 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Racemes crowded, 3-6 cm, up to ca 20 flowers, 1-2 flowers per node

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Corolla yellow, marcescent, pedicels 4-10 mm, in fruit firm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts large, elliptic-ovate, apex obtuse, fringed or acute, 10-15 mm long, 6-12 mm wide, thinly pubescent, caduceus

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx pubescent (interior also), tube 4-6 mm, teeth triangular, shorter than the tube

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods sturdy, oblong, ends rounded acuminate, 2.5-5 cm long, 0.8-1.4 cm wide, (4-)5-6 seeds, shortly puberulous, sticky, transverse depressions oblique or straight, deep when fully developed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Rectangular-rounded, ca. 4-5 mm long and wide, 3 mm thick, black with cream mosaic, or cream, strophiole 1 x 2.5 mm, divided, yellowish white.

Ecology

Climber in trees of dry forests (sal, teak, pine) or shrub vegetation, along streams or on dry soils, on alluvium, loam schists, granite rocks. Altitude:0 - 800 m

Distribution

China, Papua New Guinea, Southcentral and Southeastern Asia.

Conservation

Least concerned

Phenology

Flower (January - March), fruit (January - March)