Sphenostylis zimbabweensis Mithen [family LEGUMINOSAE]

Herbarium
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K)
Collection
Flora Zambesiaca
Resource Type
Reference Sources
Entry From
FZ, Vol 3, Part 5, (2001) Author: B. Mackinder, R. Pasquet, R. Polhill and B. Verdcourt
Names
Sphenostylis zimbabweensis Mithen [family LEGUMINOSAE], in Kirkia 14: 19, figs. 1 and 2A (1993). Type: Zimbabwe, Mtarazi Falls, 12.ii.1961, Goodier 1035 (BM; K; LISC; SRGH, holotype).
Sphenostylis marginata subsp. obtusifolia [family LEGUMINOSAE], sensu Verdcourt in Kew Bull. 24: 293 (1970) pro parte, non (Harms) Verdc. sensu stricto.
Sphenostylis marginata subsp. 1 [family LEGUMINOSAE], of Drummond in Kirkia 8: 227 (1972).
Information
Climbing or procumbent herb to c. 1 m long, from a woody rootstock; stems ± glabrous. Leaflets 3, 2.2–5 × 1.3–3.2 cm, ovate to elliptic, acute to acuminate and mucronate at the apex, rounded at the base, ± glabrous or obscurely appressed pubescent above, finely pubescent on venation beneath; petiole 1.3–2.2 cm long; rhachis 4–10 mm long; petiolules 1–3 mm long; stipules 2 × 1 mm, lanceolate, nerved. Inflorescences axillary, 1–3-flowered; peduncle 1.8–5 cm long; rhachis 6–13 mm long; bracts 1–1.5 × 0.7–1 mm, lanceolate, persistent; bracteoles 1–2 × 1 mm, persistent. Calyx glabrous; tube 3–4.5 mm long; lobes 0.5–1.8 mm long, ± round, minutely ciliolate, the 2 upper joined to form a rounded lip. Flowers purple; standard 1.5–2 × 1.2–2.7 cm, deeply emarginate. Ovary 10 mm long, linear; style 8 mm long. Pods black, 5–9 cm × 5–8 mm, linear, glabrous. Seeds black or speckled, 5–7 × 3–4 × 2 mm, oblong-cylindric (see note).
Habitat
Montane grassland, grassland with scattered trees and woodland margins
Range
Not known elsewhere
Altitude range
1200–1700 m.
1700
1200
Distribution
Zimbabwe S Bikita C.L., fl. 12.iii.1956, Cleghorn 172 (K; SRGH).Mozambique MS Chimanimani Mts., 1973, Dutton 56 (LMA).Zimbabwe E Mutare Distr., Vumba Mts., Norseland Farm, fl. 8.iii.1949, Chase 1530 (BM; K; LISU; SRGH).
Notes
In Mithen’s description of this species he gives “semina…….pilis sparsis” but in the diagnosis he distinguishes it from Sphenostylis marginata partly by having smaller black glabrous seeds. Material at Kew is inadequate to check this and a number of other characters.
Sphenostylis zimbabweensis Mithen [family LEGUMINOSAE]
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