Family: Fabaceae
Author: (Retz.) Alston
Bibliography: H.Trimen, Handb. Fl. Ceylon 6(Suppl.): 77 (1931)
Year: 1931
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Stylosanthes
Vegetable: False
Observations: Africa, Arabian Pen., India to Myanmar, Sri Lanka
Description
The Shrubby Pencilflower, scientifically known as Stylosanthes fruticosa, is a perennial shrub belonging to the Fabaceae family. This resilient plant has a wide distribution, thriving in regions ranging from Africa and the Arabian Peninsula to the Indian subcontinent, including Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
Renowned botanist H. Trimen documented this species in his extensive works on the flora of Ceylon, adding detailed insights into its characteristics and habitat in his 1931 publication, “Handbook of the Flora of Ceylon.” The current scientific classification was refined by Alston, who built upon Retzius’s original description.
Stylosanthes fruticosa typically exhibits a robust form, capable of withstanding varied climatic conditions, which is a testament to its versatility and adaptability. Commonly recognized for its shrubby appearance, this plant plays a vital role in its ecosystems, often contributing to soil stabilization and serving as a forage plant for local wildlife.
With its notable presence across diverse geographies, the Shrubby Pencilflower has undoubtedly proven its ecological significance, underscoring the importance of preserving this key species in its native habitats.
Common Names
Eng: shrubby pencilflower
En: Shrubby pencilflower, Yellow-flowered wild lucerne, Wild lucerne, Shrubby Pencil-flower
Bm: Sekufali
Synonyms
- Stylosanthes mucronata (Willd.)
- Stylosanthes aprica (Span.)
- Stylosanthes flavicans (Baker)
- Arachis fruticosa (Retz.)
- Stylosanthes bojeri (Vogel)
- Stylosanthes suborbiculata (Chiov.)
- Stylosanthes setosa (Harv.)
Distribution
- Angola (native)
- Benin (native)
- Botswana (native)
- Burkina (native)
- Burundi (native)
- Cameroon (native)
- Cape Verde (native)
- Chad (native)
- Congo (native)
- Eritrea (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Gabon (native)
- Gambia (native)
- Ghana (native)
- Guinea (native)
- Guinea-Bissau (native)
- India (native)
- Ivory Coast (native)
- Kenya (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Madagascar (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Mali (native)
- Mauritania (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Namibia (native)
- Niger (native)
- Nigeria (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Oman (native)
- Rwanda (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Senegal (native)
- Somalia (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Swaziland (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Togo (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
- Hawaii (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Dec 4, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 4, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 4, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 4, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 4, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken May 27, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 22, 2021 by Ravi Kiran (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken May 27, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Dec 4, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Dec 4, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2975709)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:519669-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Stylosanthes fruticosa (Retz.) Alston)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Subshrub, Shrub