Sophora velutina Lindl.

Flora Zambesiaca Leguminosae subfamily Papillionoideae by R.K. Brummitt

Morphology Leaves

Leaves (rachis and petiole) 6–20 cm long, with 6–13 pairs of leaflets; largest lateral leaflets on each leaf 1.2–4(6) × 0.6–1.7(2) cm, ovate to elliptic or rarely slightly obovate, usually very slightly asymmetrical at the base, the terminal leaflet from slightly smaller to slightly larger than the lateral ones and symmetrical, leaflet margins often inrolled beneath. Leaves (rachis and petiole) 6–20 cm long, with 6–13 pairs of leaflets; largest lateral leaflets on each leaf 1.2–4(6) × 0.6–1.7(2) cm, ovate to elliptic or rarely slightly obovate, usually very slightly asymmetrical at the base, the terminal leaflet from slightly smaller to slightly larger than the lateral ones and symmetrical, leaflet margins often inrolled beneath.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals purple, pink or whitish; standard 9–15 × 3–6 mm, gradually narrowed towards the base but sometimes with 2 lateral cusps demarcating the base of the limb; wings ± equalling the standard; keel petals slightly shorter than the standard. Petals purple, pink or whitish; standard 9–15 × 3–6 mm, gradually narrowed towards the base but sometimes with 2 lateral cusps demarcating the base of the limb; wings ± equalling the standard; keel petals slightly shorter than the standard.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary ± densely pubescent. Ovary ± densely pubescent.

Morphology General Habit

Shrub 1–3 m high. Shrub 1–3 m high.

Morphology General Indumentum

Young branches, leaf petioles and rachides, inflorescence and calyces subglabrous to densely whitish or brownish pubescent or tomentose; lower surface of leaflets sparsely to densely appressed-pubescent, upper surface glabrous or appressed-pubescent. Young pods either sparsely to densely closely appressed-pubescent or densely tomentose; mature pods moniliform, with 1–4(6) seeds developed. Young branches, leaf petioles and rachides, inflorescence and calyces subglabrous to densely whitish or brownish pubescent or tomentose; lower surface of leaflets sparsely to densely appressed-pubescent, upper surface glabrous or appressed-pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers in terminal few- to many-flowered racemes up to 14(20) cm long; bracts 3–16 mm long, linear, caducous or persistent; pedicels 3–7 mm long; bracteoles apparently absent. Flowers in terminal few- to many-flowered racemes up to 14(20) cm long; bracts 3–16 mm long, linear, caducous or persistent; pedicels 3–7 mm long; bracteoles apparently absent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx campanulate, 5–9 mm long including the prominent teeth c.2 mm long, the two upper teeth pointed or rounded, slightly to almost completely connate. Calyx campanulate, 5–9 mm long including the prominent teeth c.2 mm long, the two upper teeth pointed or rounded, slightly to almost completely connate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Young pods either sparsely to densely closely appressed-pubescent or densely tomentose; mature pods moniliform, with 1–4(6) seeds developed.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds c.8 mm long, ellipsoid, tumid, light brown. Seeds c.8 mm long, ellipsoid, tumid, light brown.