Chamaecrista katangensis (Ghesq.) Lock

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

Leguminosae, R.K. Brummitt, A.C. Chikuni, J.M. Lock and R.M. Polhill. Flora Zambesiaca 3:2. 2007

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb producing annual upright shoots from a thin woody rootstock.

Morphology Stem

Stems terete, thinly to densely pubescent with crisped hairs and often also longer straight hairs.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves paripinnate, 5–12 × 0.5–2.8 cm; stipules 6–12 × 0.7–2.3 mm, narrowly triangular, apex acuminate, base rounded to subcordate, margins and outer surface hairy; petiolar gland single, 0.4–0.7 mm in diameter, circular, stalk 0.3–0.5 mm long; rachis channelled above, ciliate on the channel margins, glabrous to hairy beneath; leaflets in 26–42 pairs, 15.5–24 × 4–6 mm, narrowly oblong, falcate, asymmetric, base strongly asymmetric, proximal side rounded but at least some leaflets usually with a distinct angular basal lobe, distal side narrowly cuneate, apex acute; margins ciliate, glabrous to hairy on both surfaces; midrib very excentric; 3–5 lateral nerves from base on proximal side, 0–1 on distal side.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences axillary to supra-axillary, 2–3-flowered; pedicels 1.5–2 cm long in flower, pubescent with curved appressed and/or spreading erect hairs.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals 5.5–6 × 1.5–3 mm, narrowly ovate, acuminate, pubescent with spreading hairs outside.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals yellow, c.8 × 6 mm, broadly obovate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 10, four longer than the others.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary c.3 mm long, densely appressed-pubescent; style c.2 mm long, curved, almost glabrous; stigma terminal, fringed with cilia.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods 3.5–5.5 × 0.4–0.5 cm, sparsely appressed-pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds brown, 2.2–2.3 × 1.7–1.8 mm, rhombic-quadrate in outline.

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

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb, probably rhizomatous, with erect stems up to 65 cm. or more high (to 1.25 m. fide F.C.B.).

Morphology Stem

Stems simple or nearly so, arising from a ± thickened woody rootstock, pubescent to ± densely spreading-hairy.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves linear-oblong to linear, mostly 4–10 cm. long and 1–2(–3) cm. wide; gland near top of petiole, 0.7–1.5 mm. long, raised on a rather indistinct column or stalk ± 0.25–0.5(–0.75) mm. long, the gland often tilted on top; sometimes a second small gland on lower part of petiole; rhachis eglandular, or sometimes with a single gland near base, channelled but not crenate-crested along upper side:leaflets sessile, mostly in (15–)20–43 pairs, obliquely oblong, ± falcate, 4–10(–15) mm. long, 1–2(–3) mm. wide, asymmetrically acute or acuminate, varying from glabrous except for ciliolate margins to ± puberulous or pubescent on both surfaces; midrib strongly excentric, sometimes marginal, but usually with visible lateral nerves between it and the anticous margin.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences 1–3-flowered [3–5-flowered, fide F.C.B.]; pedicels 1.4–3 cm. long, shortly crisped-puberulous and normally also with longer spreading hairs ± 0.5–1 mm. long especially towards base, sometimes densely spreading-hairy.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals acute.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals yellow, 8–10 mm. long, 4–9 mm. wide.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods 2.5–5 cm. long, 4.5–5.5 cm. wide.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds brown, ± 3.5mm. long, 2 mm. wide, not areolate.

Figures

Fig. 10/35, p. 57.

Habitat

Deciduous woodland (Julbernardia-Brachystegia); 1520–1710 m.

Distribution

T4 T7