Elephantorrhiza suffruticosa Schinz [family LEGUMINOSAE]

Herbarium
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K)
Collection
Flora Zambesiaca
Resource Type
Reference Sources
Entry From
FZ, Vol 3, Part 1, (1970) Author: J.P.M. Brenan
Names
Elephantorrhiza suffruticosa Schinz [family LEGUMINOSAE], in Mém. Herb. Boiss. 1: 117 (1900). — Harms in Engl., Pflanzenw. Afr. 3, 1: 400 (1915). — Dinter in Fedde, Repert. 17: 190 (1921). — Phillips in Bothalia, 1: 193, t. 5 fig. 7, t. 6 (1923). — Bak. f., Legum. Trop. Afr. 3: 801 (1930). Syntypes from SW. Africa.
Information
Shrub 1-6 m. high, deciduous; bark similar to that of E. goetzei; young branchlets glabrous, or sometimes puberulous to shortly pubescent. Leaves up to 27 cm. long (rhachis + petiole); rhachides usually with a little pubescence on the upper side, sometimes beneath as well; pinnae (2)15-31 pairs; leaflets (19)30-50 pairs per pinna, 5-6 x 0·4-1·2 mm., linear-oblong to linear, glabrous, proximal side of the base rounded; midrib marginal throughout; apex asymmetric, varying from obtuse to acute, often mucronate; lateral nerves and veins not or scarcely visible. Racemes 4-18 cm. long (including the peduncle), often ± pubescent, sometimes glabrous; minute reddish or reddish-brown mealy glands present round the pedicel-bases. Inflorescence usually said to be cream-coloured but described as golden-yellow in one gathering. Petals 3-3·75 mm. long. Pods 13-27·5 x 2-2·25 cm., linear-oblong to linear. Seeds c. 14 x 11 x 5 mm. (only one measured, perhaps not mature), roughly ellipsoid.
Habitat
In woodland and Acacia grassland, sometimes, at least, among rocks
Altitude range
1050–2130 m.
2130
1050
Distribution
Zimbabwe S Victoria Distr., fl. 1909, Monro 543 (BM).Zimbabwe E Inyanga Downs, fl. 7.xii.1959, Wild 4895 (K).Mozambique MS Manica, between Vila Pery and Macequece, fl. 15.xi.1946, Pedro & Pedrógão 243 (LMJ).Zimbabwe C Marandellas Distr., Skipton, fl. 5.xii.1946, Wild 1614 (K; SRGH).
Distribution (external)
south-western Africa
Notes
The inflorescence in E. suffruticosa is often described as cream-coloured, but not so in E. goetzei. This may indicate a difference in flower-colour between these two species, but it needs confirmation in the field.Only one specimen apparently belonging to E. suffruticosa has been collected bearing flowers but no leaves at all: Hornby 2448 (K), from Rhodesia (C), Hartley Distr., Poole Farm. This is in contrast with E. goetzei which frequently flowers precociously, and may be connected with a possibly earlier flowering-season in that species. Flowering specimens of E. goetzei from our area have been collected from August to October, of E. suffruticosa from October to December.The distribution of E. suffruticosa appears to be discontinuous between eastern and central Rhodesia and SW. Africa. No satisfactory differences have been so far seen between plants from these two areas except for an inconstant tendency for the leaflets to be more acute and mucronate in Rhodesia than in SW. Africa.
Elephantorrhiza suffruticosa Schinz [family LEGUMINOSAE]
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