Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
purpurea
ID:
204531

Status:
valid

Authors:
(L.) Pers.

Source:
ildis

Year:
1807

Citation Micro:
Syn. Pl.2: 329 (1807)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000203860

Common Names

  • Tephrosia
  • Purpurea
  • Purple Tephrosia

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Synonyms

  • Cracca purpurea L. [valid]
  • Tephrosia purpurea genuina R.Vig. [invalid]
  • Tephrosia purpurea diffusa (Roxb.) Aitch. [unknown]
  • Galega lanceaefolia Roxb. [unknown]
  • Galega purpurea (L.) L. [valid]
  • Tephrosia purpurea purpurea [unknown]

Description

Tephrosia purpurea (also called purple tephrosia, among many other common names) is an erect, branched, annual herb with a height of up to 1.5 m. It is native to India, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines, and is found in dry, open habitats such as grasslands and scrublands.

Uses & Benefits

Tephrosia purpurea is used as a medicinal plant and as a forage crop.

Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species

Tephrosia purpurea sub. purpurea
Tephrosia purpurea sub. leptostachya (DC.) Brummitt
Tephrosia purpurea sub. dunensis Brummitt
Tephrosia purpurea sub. canescens (E.Mey.) Brummitt
Tephrosia purpurea sub. barbigera Bosman & A.J.P.de Haas
Tephrosia purpurea sub. apollinea (Delile) Hosni & El-Karemy
Tephrosia purpurea var. sericea Benth.
Tephrosia purpurea var. yunnanensis Z.Wei
Tephrosia purpurea sub. altissima Brummitt
Tephrosia purpurea var. glabra Hosok.
Tephrosia purpurea var. delagoensis (H.M.L.Forbes) Brummitt

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flowers of Tephrosia purpurea are small and purple, with five petals and a yellow center. The seeds are small and black, and the seedlings are thin and have a single stem with small, oval-shaped leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Tephrosia purpurea is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant, and frost-tolerant legume. It can be propagated by seed or cuttings. Seeds should be sown in a well-drained soil in full sun. Cuttings should be taken from healthy, disease-free plants and planted in a well-drained soil. The soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged.

Where to Find Tephrosia purpurea

Tephrosia purpurea is native to tropical and subtropical regions of South Asia. It is found in a variety of habitats, including disturbed areas, grasslands, and forests.

Tephrosia purpurea FAQ

What is the scientific name of Tephrosia purpurea?

Tephrosia purpurea

What is the common name of Tephrosia purpurea?

Purple Tephrosia

What is the natural habitat of Tephrosia purpurea?

Tropical and subtropical dry forests

Species in the Tephrosia genus

Tephrosia abbottiae, Tephrosia adunca, Tephrosia angustissima, Tephrosia belizensis, Tephrosia brandegei, Tephrosia cana, Tephrosia chrysophylla, Tephrosia cinerea, Tephrosia clementis, Tephrosia conzattii, Tephrosia cuernavacana, Tephrosia decumbens, Tephrosia diversifolia, Tephrosia egregia, Tephrosia florida, Tephrosia foliolosa, Tephrosia guaranitica, Tephrosia hassleri, Tephrosia hypoleuca, Tephrosia lanata, Tephrosia langlassei, Tephrosia leiocarpa, Tephrosia leucantha, Tephrosia lindheimeri, Tephrosia madrensis, Tephrosia major, Tephrosia marginata, Tephrosia mexicana, Tephrosia multifolia, Tephrosia nicaraguensis, Tephrosia nitens, Tephrosia onobrychoides, Tephrosia pachypoda, Tephrosia palmeri, Tephrosia perriniana, Tephrosia platyphylla, Tephrosia pogonocalyx, Tephrosia potosina, Tephrosia pringlei, Tephrosia quercetorum, Tephrosia rhodantha, Tephrosia rugelii, Tephrosia saxicola, Tephrosia seemannii, Tephrosia simulans, Tephrosia smallii, Tephrosia submontana, Tephrosia tepicana, Tephrosia thurberi, Tephrosia vernicosa,

Species in the Fabaceae family

References

Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'L.' in the authors string.
Christiaan Hendrik Persoon (1761-1836): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Pers.' in the authors string.