Dalbergia armata
| Hluhluwe creeper | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Dalbergia |
| Species: | D. armata |
| Binomial name | |
| Dalbergia armata | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Dalbergia armata is a species of flowering plant in the legume family, Fabaceae.[2][3]. It is sometimes referred to by the common names thorny rope or Hluhluwe creeper.[1] It is a scrambling, deciduous plant that is native to subtropical to temperate regions of southeastern Africa. The robust, woody liana or small tree[4] is armed with strong spines on the main stem and branches.[5] It occurs sparsely or commonly in forest, bush, riparian fringes and in wooded ravines.[6] It is sometimes employed as a bonsai subject,[4][7] and it can be propagated from either seed or cuttings.[8]
Range
It occurs widely in coastal, montane or riparian forests of southern Tanzania,[9] Mozambique, Eswatini and eastern South Africa. In South Africa it is present in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces.[6] The Hluhluwe River is named after this species,[10] due to its prevalence on the banks of the river. The species is virtually confined to White’s Tongaland-Pondoland centre of endemism.[9]
Description
Their thick (up to 15 cm) and 10 to 30 m long ropes[4] have sturdy, sideways-directed spines which may grow in clusters, and encircle the stems. The spines which are up to 10 cm long,[11] hook onto adjacent vegetation to direct the plant towards the canopy. The bark is dark greyish brown.
The alternate leaves are up to 8 cm long, finely compound and are bluish green on their upper surfaces.[4] The 21 to 41[11] oblong leaflets (i.e. 10 to 20 pairs plus terminal) have a sub-opposite or alternate arrangement.[12] The leaflets close in overcast weather, and the foliage is popular with browsing animals.
Their very small,[12] sweetly scented flowers are creamy-white in colour.[4] They appear in early summer, and are born in dense terminal or axillary clusters.[12] The small and thin seed pods measure about 5 by 2 cm. They are papery in texture[5] and lemon-yellow to pale brown in colour.[4] The indehiscent fruit which hold 1 to 3 seeds each,[9] are often produced in profusion. They appear in clusters on horizontal branch tips, from late summer.[5][4]
Similar species
The zebra-wood is also armed and has an overlapping range, but its leaflets are fewer (7 to 13) and larger, while its flowers vary from white to pink.[6] Other Dalbergia species of the region have hairy pods, or velvety undersides to the leaflets. The thorny elm has simple leaves.
References
- 1 2 Beentje, H.J. (2021). "Dalbergia armata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021 e.T199825454A199825456. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T199825454A199825456.en.
- 1 2 "Dalbergia armata E.Mey". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Dalbergia armata E.Mey". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Pooley, Elsa (1997). Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. Durban: Natal Flora Publications Trust. p. 168. ISBN 0-620-17697-0.
- 1 2 3 Palgrave, K. C. (1984). Trees of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik. p. 105. ISBN 0-86977-081-0.
- 1 2 3 Palmer, Eve (1977). A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa. London, Johannesburg: Collins. pp. 91–92. ISBN 0-620-05468-9.
- ↑ Bent, Tony. "Dalbergia". Cape Bonsai Kai. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
- ↑ "Dalbergia armata". Sunshine Seeds. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
- 1 2 3 Brummitt, R. K.; et al. (2007). "Dalbergia armata E. Mey". Flora Zambesiaca. Leguminosae. 3 (3). Retrieved 20 March 2014.
- ↑ Raper, P. E. Dictionary of Southern African Place Names. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
- 1 2 Van Wyk, Braam; et al. (1997). Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik. p. 454. ISBN 1-86825-922-6.
- 1 2 3 Harvey, W. H. (1894). "DALBERGIA armata E. Mey. [family LEGUMINOSAE-PAPILIONOIDEAE]". Flora Capensis. 2: 1. Retrieved 18 March 2014.