Abrus kaokoensis is a plant in the legume family Fabaceae, native to Namibia. The species is named for the country's Kaokoveld Desert.[2]
| Abrus kaokoensis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Abrus |
| Species: | A. kaokoensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Abrus kaokoensis | |
Description
editAbrus kaokoensis grows as a woody suffrutex (subshrub) 0.3–1.0 metre (1–3 ft) tall. The leaves consist of four to eight pairs of leaflets, of oblong to obovate shape. Leaflets measure up 16 mm (0.6 in) long. Inflorescences are on a rachis measuring up to 4.7 cm (2 in) long. The flowers are clustered, with a corolla of blue to purple petals. The fruits feature oblong pods measuring up to 4.7 cm (2 in) long, each with two to six seeds. The species is considered most similar to Abrus schimperi.[2]
Taxonomy
editAbrus kaokoensis is part of the family Fabaceae, also known as legumes, in the genus Abrus. This genus consists of 5 species, all of which live in tropical climates and produce highly toxic seeds.[3]
Distribution and habitat
editAbrus kaokoensis is only known from three locations in Namibia, all in Epupa Constituency near the Angola border. Therefore, the species may also occur in Angola, but areas neighbouring the Namibia border are little documented botanically. The type specimen was from the Kunene River valley. The species' habitat is on stony soil or in rocks, at altitudes of 725–890 m (2,000–3,000 ft).[2]
Conservation
editDespite its presence in a limited number of locations, Abrus kaokoensis is not considered threatened. Two of the species' populations coincide with livestock farming, but those populations appear healthy. The other population, in the Baynes Mountains, is in an unpopulated area.
A natural threat to Abrus kaokoensis comes from blister beetles, who consume the plant's flowers. As a result, few flowers in the studied area went on to produce pods and seeds.[2]
References
edit- ^ "Abrus kaokoensis". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
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- Swaenpoel, W. 2011. Abrus Kaekoensis, a new species from Nambia, Elsevier. [1]
- "Abrus kaokoensis". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.[2]
- Kolberg, H. Abrus kaokoensis (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae-Abreae)[3]
- Grobler, A. 2013. Flowering Plants of Africa, Sanbi.[4]
- ^ Swaenpoel, W (November 18, 2024). "Abrus kaokoensis (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae-Abreae), a new species from Namibia". South African Journal of Botony. Elsevier. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ "Royal Botanical Gardens: Abrus Kaokoensis". Royal Botanical Gardens Kew. November 18, 2024.
- ^ Kolberg, H (August 2011). "Abrus kaokoensis (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae-Abreae)". Science Direct.
- ^ Grobler, A. "Flowering Plants of Africa" (PDF). Sanbi: Biodiversity for Life.