Baphia speciosa J.B.Gillett & Brummitt

Flora Zambesiaca Leguminosae subfamily Papillionoideae by R.K. Brummitt

Morphology General Indumentum

Young branches, petioles, inflorescences, bracteoles and calyces with a short dark brown pubescence. Young branches, petioles, inflorescences, bracteoles and calyces with a short dark brown pubescence.

Morphology Leaves

Leaflet up to 8 × 4.5 cm, elliptic to narrowly elliptic or slightly obovate, rounded or cuneate at the base, obtuse or rounded at the apex, glabrous on upper surface, pubescent on lower; petiole 9–16 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers in lax terminal panicles; pedicels 7–14 mm long, with small glandular hairs at the base; bracts up to 6 mm long, narrowly triangular to lanceolate, quickly caducous; bracteoles opposite, up to 6–10 × 1.5–4 mm, triangular, acute, quickly caducous. Flowers in lax terminal panicles; pedicels 7–14 mm long, with small glandular hairs at the base; bracts up to 6 mm long, narrowly triangular to lanceolate, quickly caducous; bracteoles opposite, up to 6–10 × 1.5–4 mm, triangular, acute, quickly caducous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 14–19 mm long, spathaceous, remaining ± entire at the apex. Calyx 14–19 mm long, spathaceous, remaining ± entire at the apex.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals white, with a yellow mark near base of the standard; standard 18–24 mm long, wing and keel petals 16–24 mm long. Petals white, with a yellow mark near base of the standard; standard 18–24 mm long, wing and keel petals 16–24 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary 8–10 mm long, glabrous. Ovary 8–10 mm long, glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods up to 13 × 1.5 cm, greyish-black, glabrous. Pods up to 13 × 1.5 cm, greyish-black, glabrous.

Distribution

Known only from N Zambia.

Ecology

In grassland, scrub and thickets on sandy alluvial soil; 780–990 m.

Morphology General Habit

Bush or small tree, sometimes scrambling, up to 7 m. Bush or small tree, sometimes scrambling, up to 7 m.

Morphology Leaves Leaflets

Leaflet up to 8 × 4.5 cm, elliptic to narrowly elliptic or slightly obovate, rounded or cuneate at the base, obtuse or rounded at the apex, glabrous on upper surface, pubescent on lower; petiole 9–16 mm long.