Compilation
Baphia descampsii

Shrub or small tree up to 7 m. high. Young stems pubescent with rusty-brown hairs but soon glabrescent. Leaves: petiole 0.4–1.0 cm., pubescent, the interpulvinary part longer than to shorter than the pulvini; lamina ovate to oblong or oblanceolate, 3.5–9 cm. long, 1.3–3.7 cm. wide, with an acuminate apex (“drip tip”), rounded and sometimes asymmetrical at the base, coriaceous; lower surface glabrous or pubescent particularly on the midrib, upper surface glabrous. Flowers in axillary fascicles of 1–4; pedicels 0.5–1.2(–2.0) cm., not or only slightly narrowing towards the base, ± rusty-tomentose; bracteoles ± semicircular, inserted immediately beneath the calyx and forming a cupule 1–2 mm. long. Calyx 12–14 mm. long, covered with a short rusty-brown tomentum, splitting down one side only and usually showing 2 teeth at the apex. Petals white; standard 16–20 mm. long; wings 14–16 mm. long. Stamen-filaments glabrous; anthers ± 2 mm. long. Ovary black, glabrous on the surfaces, with spreading rusty-brown hairs on the margins. Pods 6–8.5 × 1.8–2.2 cm., blackish, with raised venation. (The floral dimensions given for this species in F.C.B. appear not to correspond with those of the specimens cited there, nor with those of East African specimens.)