Fabaceae
Species
Lebeckia ambigua has a predominantly coastal distribution from Namaqualand south to the West Coast. It has leaves with an indentation near the middle, small flowers and linear, straight or falcate (curved like a sickle) pods that burst open to release the seeds. This species is typically found in deep sand or disturbed roadsides.
L. contaminata is a widely distributed species that occurs from Algeria to the Cape Peninsula and east to Bredasdorp. It has a decumbent or sprawling habit, leaves with an indentation near the middle and laterally compressed, stalked pods containing light pink seeds with a rough surface.
L. pauciflora is the most widely distributed of all Lebeckia species and occurs from the Kamiesberg south to Caledon and eastwards as far as Steytlerville. It has articulated (northern and southern populations) and non-articulated (eastern populations) leaves, calyx lobes that are longer than the tube, keel petals that are spirally twisted and large, flat pods.
L. plukenetiana is distributed from the Cape Peninsula to Piquetberg, Hex River and Worcester and favours mountain slopes. It has unarticulated leaves, wing petals that are longer than the keel petals and is one of only two species that have a narrowly winged upper suture of the pod (the other is L. meyeriana).
L. sepiaria is arguably the most striking and well-known of the species. It is distributed from Clanwilliam to Worcester and east to Swellendam. It has an erect habit, dense leaves, many-flowered inflorescences and pods that are round in cross-section and do not burst open to release the seeds.
L. wrightii is an annual pyrophyte or fireweed that occurs from the Cape Peninsula eastwards to Kogelberg and the Palmiet River Mountains. This species and L. uniflora are unique in the genus in that they have small, rudimentary stipules and hairs on the leaves, bracts, bracteoles and calyx. It has a spirally twisted keel (like L. pauciflora), large obovate wing petals, flat, straight pods and rugose black seeds mottled with white.
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Horticultural zones
Plant Attributes:
Plant Type:
SA Distribution:
Soil type:
Flowering season:
PH:
Flower colour:
Aspect:
Gardening skill:
Special Features:
Horticultural zones
Plant Attributes:
Plant Type:
SA Distribution:
Soil type:
Flowering season:
PH:
Flower colour:
Aspect:
Gardening skill:
Special Features:
Horticultural zones
Plant Attributes:
Plant Type:
SA Distribution:
Soil type:
Flowering season:
PH:
Flower colour:
Aspect:
Gardening skill:
Special Features:
Horticultural zones
Plant Attributes:
Plant Type:
SA Distribution:
Soil type:
Flowering season:
PH:
Flower colour:
Aspect:
Gardening skill:
Special Features:
Horticultural zones
Plant Attributes:
Plant Type:
SA Distribution:
Soil type:
Flowering season:
PH:
Flower colour:
Aspect:
Gardening skill:
Special Features:
Horticultural zones
Plant Attributes:
Plant Type:
SA Distribution:
Soil type:
Flowering season:
PH:
Flower colour:
Aspect:
Gardening skill:
Special Features:
Horticultural zones
Plant Attributes:
Plant Type:
SA Distribution:
Soil type:
Flowering season:
PH:
Flower colour:
Aspect:
Gardening skill:
Special Features:
Horticultural zones
Plant Attributes:
Plant Type:
SA Distribution:
Soil type:
Flowering season:
PH:
Flower colour:
Aspect:
Gardening skill:
Special Features:
Horticultural zones
Plant Attributes:
Plant Type:
SA Distribution:
Soil type:
Flowering season:
PH:
Flower colour:
Aspect:
Gardening skill:
Special Features:
Horticultural zones
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