Synonyms: |
Hedysarum pictum Jacq. |
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Description: |
Tall perennial herb, up to 1.8 m tall. Stems with short, rough hairs. Leaves imparipinnate with 5-9 leaflets (lowermost leaves often 1-3-foliolate); leaflets narrowly lanceolate, 7-25 cm long (lowermost smaller), often variegated, shiny and hairless above, rough hairy below; margins entire. Inflorescence a long terminal densely many-flowered spike-like raceme, up to 55 cm long, covered in long whitish hairs. Flowers pink, bluish or reddish. Fruit 5-9 mm long, folded into 3-6 segments, brown to black, turning greyish-white when old. |
Type location: |
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Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | picta: brilliantly marked, ornamental (in this case referring to the variegated leaves) |
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Altitude range: (metres) | |
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Worldwide distribution: | Widespread in tropical Africa, Asia and northern Australia. |
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Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Literature: |
Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 52. Verdcourt, B. (2000). Papilionoideae Flora Zambesiaca 3(6) Pages 34 - 35. (Includes a picture). |