Lotus mlanjeanus J.B.Gillett

 (Fabaceae)

©Alison Strugnell

Distribution: Fairly common, only known from Mt. Mulanje

Description: Straggling or procumbent herb covering patches up to 50 cm in diameter.  Sparsely pubescent.  Stems reddish.  Leaflets with recurved margins.  Flowers white with orange or chocolate-brown markings. Calyx glabrous.

Flowering: May-November.

Habitat: Montane grassland, 1800-2100 m.

Comments: Brenan (1953) placed all the Mt. Mulanje specimens under Lotus discolor E. Mey., but Gillett (1958) and E.S. Martins (Flora Zambesiaca 7(3), 2003) adopt a narrower specific concept of the L. discolor complex (which is endemic to the African mountains) and recognise more specific boundaries, which are principally based on vegetative characters.  L. mlanjeanus is the only Lotus species on Mt. Mulanje.

Example specimens: Chapman JD 5612 (FHO); Chapman JD & Chapman EG 8284 (K, MO).; Chapman JD & Chapman EG 8807 (FHO).