Chamaecrista zambesica (Oliv.) Lock

International Legume Database and Information Service

Conservation

Not Threatened

Ecology

Africa: Zanzibar-Inhambane regional transition zone; anthropic habitats., Zanzibar-Inhambane regional transition zone; grassland.

Morphology General Habit

Perennial, Not climbing, Herb

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

Morphology General Habit

Usually perennial prostrate herb from a somewhat woody base.

Morphology Stem

Stems with slight pale ridges decurrent from the stipule bases, pubescent with long and short straight hairs.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves paripinnate, 5 × 2.3 cm; stipules narrowly ovate-triangular; petiolar gland single, dark, 1.2–1.5 mm long, pinhead-shaped; rachis channelled, not crested, occasionally with one or more glands similar to or smaller than the one on the petiole; leaflets in 8–14 pairs, 9.1–14 × 2.8–3.5 mm, oblong, asymmetrical, proximal side of base rounded, distal cuneate, apex mucronate, margins inrolled at apex, glabrous to sparsely pubescent above, more densely so beneath; midrib strongly excentric; 4–6 lateral nerves from base on proximal side of midrib, 1–2 on distal side.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences supra-axillary, 2–4-flowered; pedicels 1–1.5 cm long in flower, not elongating in fruit.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers small; petals yellow, c.7 × 4 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 10.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary densely appressed-white-pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods 3.8 × 0.4 cm, pubescent with long hairs.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds dark brown, c.2.5 × 2.5 mm, rhombic, flattened.

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

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb.

Morphology Stem

Stems prostrate or semi-prostrate, up to ± 40 cm. long, ± densely clothed with straight spreading hairs ± 1–2 mm. long, and normally with a band of shorter pubescence running along one side of the stem.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves ovate-oblong to oblong, 1.5–6.5 cm. long, 1.5–2.5(–3) cm. wide; gland at or near top of petiole, peltate and flattened or shallowly cup-shaped, raised on a distinct slender stalk about 1–1.25 mm. long; rhachis without glands, channelled but not crenate-crested along upper side; leaflets sessile, usually in (4–)7–18 pairs, oblong, straight or very slightly falcate, 4–13(–16) mm. long, 1.5–4(–6) mm. wide, rounded to obtuse and mucronate at apex, ciliate on margins, glabrous to pubescent on surfaces; midrib somewhat excentric (nearer anticous margin), particularly in lower part of leaflet but with numerous prominulous lateral nerves on both sides which are unbranched or branch normally only near margins.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences 1–3-flowered; pedicels 1–2.5 cm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals acute.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals yellow, 7–10 mm. long, 4–10 mm. wide.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods 1.5–4.5 cm. long, 4–5 mm. wide.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds brown, ± 2–3 mm. long and 2.25–2.5 mm. wide, not areolate.

Figures

Fig. 10/31, p. 57.

Habitat

Grassland and cultivated land; 80–460 m.

Distribution

K7 T3 T6 T8