AgroForestryTree Database
Tephrosia noctiflora
 Species identityEcology and distributionPropagation and managementFunctional usesPests and diseasesAdditional InfoBibliographyImages |
Species identity
TaxonomySynonym(s)
Common names
(Indonesian) : tom sapi
(Malay) : kolo thakarai (Tamil)
Botanic description
Sparsely branched, annual herb or shrub, 1.5-2 m tall. Stem densely covered with pale brown, spreading and appressed hairs. Leaves imparipinnately compound with 12-25 leaflets; petiole 1-2.5 cm long; rachis 6-12.5 cm long; leaflets obovate to elliptical, 1-4.5 cm x 3-10 mm, mucronate, glabrous above, appressed hairy below. Inflorescence a terminal, axillary or leaf-opposed pseudoraceme to 35 cm long; peduncle 3-16 cm long; flowers in clusters of 1-5 in axil of narrow bracts; pedicel 2-5 mm long; calyx 5-7 mm long, densely hairy; standard 10-13 mm long and wide, purple towards the centre, margins white; wings 5-8 mm long, purple above, white below; keel purple. Pod 3-6 cm x 0.5 cm, 5-10-seeded, covered with rust-coloured hairs. Seed reniform, plump, about 3.5 mm long, dark brown, reticulate. T. noctiflora is often confused with T. purpurea (L.) Persoon.
Ecology and distribution
History of cultivationNative to tropical and subtropical Africa and probably India; naturalized in Indonesia (Java), Papua New Guinea, Australia and in the Antilles. Occasionally cultivated pantropically.
Natural Habitat
T. noctiflora is found naturalized in Java, in grassy areas, ruderal locations, and river banks. Young plants do not withstand heavy rain, older plants withstand waterlogging.
Native to tropical and subtropical Africa and probably India; naturalized in Indonesia (Java), Papua New Guinea, Australia and in the Antilles. Occasionally cultivated pantropically.
Biophysical limitsAltitude: Up to 700 m.
Reproductive Biology
T. noctiflora is self-pollinating and nodulates well.
Propagation and management
Functional uses
ProductsPoison: It is used as fish poison.Services
Boundary or barrier or support: It is sometimes planted as a contour hedge. Intercropping: It grown in wet rice fields, in young rubber and coconut plantations. Soil improver: It can be cut several times and used as green manure.
Additional Information
PropertiesPoison: The aerial parts contain gamma-glutamyltyraminine.