Synonyms:
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Hedysarum pictum Jacq.
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Common names:
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Frequency:
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Probably rare or local |
Status:
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Native |
Description:
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Tall perennial herb, up to 1.8 m tall. Stems with short, rough hairs. Leaves imparipinnate with 5-9 leaflets (lowermost leaves often 1-3-foliolate); leaflets narrowly lanceolate, 7-25 cm long (lowermost smaller), often variegated, shiny and hairless above, rough hairy below; margins entire. Inflorescence a long terminal densely many-flowered spike-like raceme, up to 55 cm long, covered in long whitish hairs. Flowers pink, bluish or reddish. Fruit 5-9 mm long, folded into 3-6 segments, brown to black, turning greyish-white when old. |
Type location:
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Notes:
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Although a widespread species, very few specimens from the region, are present in herbaria. The specimen in the photographs (Ballings & Wursten 1167, 27-1-2008, BR) apears to be a first record for the Manica-Sofala Division. |
Derivation of specific name:
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picta: brilliantly marked, ornamental (in this case referring to the variegated leaves) |
Habitat:
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In floodplains and marshy areas in woodland and grasslands. |
Altitude range: (metres) |
30 - 2400 m |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution:
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Widespread in tropical Africa, Asia and northern Australia. |
National distribution:
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Z,MS |
Growth form(s):
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Endemic status:
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Red data list status:
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Insects associated with this species:
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Spot characters:
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Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: |
Saturday 11 October 2008 |
Literature:
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Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 52.
Verdcourt, B. (2000). Papilionoideae Flora Zambesiaca 3(6) Pages 34 - 35. (Includes a picture).
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