Cassia abbreviata Oliv.[Agg]

Images: Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record

Photo: Petra Ballings
Rd between Hot Springs and Nyanyadzi, Odzi-Save Valley

Records and maps: Display species records Map species by: altitude rainfall geology Map species using Google Maps

Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms:	Cassia abbreviata Oliv. var. granitica (Baker f.) Baker f. Cassia granitica Baker f.
Common names:	Isihaqa (Ndebele) Long-tail cassia (English) Muremberembe (Shona) Muvheneka (Shona)
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Shrub or small rounded tree. Bark greyish-brown, longitudinally furrowed. Leaves paripinnate without any glands on the rhachis or petiole; leaflets in 7-12 pairs, hairy on the under surface, particularly when young (see note below), ovate-elliptic with a rounded apex. Flowers in large, lax, terminal sprays, yellow, appearing before the leaves. Fruit a long cylindric brown pod, up to 90 cm, which remains on the tree for many months.
Notes:	Two subspecies occur widespread in the region. They are distinguished by the type of hairs on the undersurface of the leaflets. Subsp. beareana has straight appressed hairs, while subsp. abbreviata has loose, somewhat curly hairs. It is often very difficult to distinguish the two in the field.
Derivation of specific name:	abbreviata: shortened
Habitat:	In various types of woodland and wooded grassland.
Altitude range: (metres)	610 - 1470 m
Flowering time:	Sep - Oct
Worldwide distribution:	From East Africa southwards to Limpopo and Mpumalanga, South Africa.
Zimbabwe distribution:	N,W,C,E,S
Growth form:	ST
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects (whose larvae eat this species):	Dionychopus amasis (Tri-coloured tiger)
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Saturday 10 March 2007
Literature:	Drummond, R.B. (1981). Common Trees of the Central Watershed Woodlands of Zimbabwe. Natural Resources Board, Harare. Pages 76 - 77. (Includes a picture).

Comments

comments powered by Disqus

Other sources of information about Cassia abbreviata:

Flora of Zimbabwe: cultivated Cassia abbreviata page
Flora of Mozambique: Cassia abbreviata
African Plant Database: Cassia abbreviata
Biodiversity Explorer (Biodiversity of southern Africa): Cassia abbreviata
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Cassia abbreviata
ePIC (electronic Plant Information Center): Cassia abbreviata
Flora Zambesiaca web site: Cassia abbreviata
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
GRIN (Germplasm Resources Information Network) taxonomy for plants report for Cassia abbreviata
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Cassia abbreviata
JSTOR Plant Science: Cassia abbreviata
Kew Herbarium catalogue: Cassia abbreviata
Tropicos: Cassia abbreviata
West African Plants database: Cassia abbreviata