Abrus kaokoensis

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
Genus: Abrus
Species:
A. kaokoensis
Binomial name
Abrus kaokoensis
Swanepoel & Kolberg[1]

Description

Abrus 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]

Distribution and habitat

Abrus 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

Despite 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.[2]

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]

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References
  1. "Abrus kaokoensis". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  2. Swanepoel, W.; Kolberg, H. (August 2011). "Abrus kaokoensis (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae-Abreae), a new species from Namibia". South African Journal of Botany. Elsevier B.V. 77 (3). doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2010.12.005.
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