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Lebeckia sepiaria

Lebeckia sepiaria (L.) Thunb.
Lebeckia sepiaria
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-4.0)

Lebeckia sepiaria (L.) Thunb. is a species in the Fabaceae family, native to the Cape Provinces. It is an erect, glaucous shrub reaching up to 0.8 m in height. The species is distinguished by its long, linear fruits (up to 40 mm) and wings shorter than the keel, differing from L. brevicarpa. It was published in 1800 and is one of the more recognized species in sect. Lebeckia.

Description

Lebeckia sepiaria is characterized by simple, acicular leaves with a density of 4–11 per 10 mm of stem. Inflorescences are terminal, 50–300 mm long, with relatively large flowers (12–18 mm long). The calyx is 4.5–6.5 mm long with deltoid lobes. The standard petal is widely ovate to orbicular, 9–15 × 7.5–11.5 mm, with an obtuse apex. Wings are oblong and shorter than the keel, while the keel is rostrate with pockets. The ovary is linear, 13.5–15.5 mm long, with 15–19 ovules. Pods are linear, indehiscent, up to 40 mm long, with a thick, spongy wall. Seeds are oblong-reniform, 2.5 × 1.2 mm, rugose, pale brown, and mottled dark brown to black.

Distribution

Cape Provinces

Synonyms

Lebeckia simsianaLebeckia sarcophylloidesLebeckia simsioidesSpartium sepiariumSpartium pinastrifoliumGenista pinastrifoliaGenista sepiariaSpartium scopariumSarcophyllus carnosus

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