Macromorphological Revision of Indigofera L. (Faboideae, Fabaceae) in Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt.

Abstract

This study presents a taxonomic revision of the genus Indigofera L. (tribe Indigofereae, subfamily Faboideae, Fabaceae) in Egypt. The revision is based on 58 specimens representing 13 taxa of Indigofera collected from different locations and habitats. The morphological characteristics of the vegetative and reproductive parts, such as indumentum; leaf shape, and size; stipule shape and length; calyx shape and length; corolla color, shape, and size; pod and seeds (color, shape, and size) were proved to have high taxonomic significance in distinguishing the species belonging to the genus Indigofera. Generally, all parts of the plant are covered with dense white two-armed hairs, which give the plant a silvery appearance.  In Indigofera cordifolia B. Heyne ex Roth, the leaves are unifoliolate, but they are compound among the other investigated species. An artificial key to the studied taxa, full species description and illustrations, local and global distribution, habitat, and conservation status are provided to facilitate the identification and recognition of these species.

Keywords

Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, H. Botany
Volume 14, Issue 2
December 2023
Pages 43-64

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