Calpurnia (genus)

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Calpurnia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Calpurnia
E.Meyer
Species

See text.

Calpurnia is a genus of flowering plants within the family Fabaceae.

The genus comprises shrubs or small trees in or along the margin of forests in the eastern parts of South Africa. They shed leaves in winter unless in moist areas, where they are evergreen. They make good garden plants because they are easily raised from seed, flower at two years and withstand frost.

The species Calpurnia aurea is also known as Wild Laburnum / Wildegeelkeur. The bright yellow flowers have the typical form of the Fabaceae (pea family). They are borne in racemes and flowering can take place over several months. The flowers are visited by carpenter bees, after which the pollintated flowers turn into thin, straw-colored pods.

Species include:

  • Calpurnia aurea
    • Calpurnia aurea aurea
    • Calpurnia aurea sylvatica
  • Calpurnia capensis
  • Calpurnia glabrata
  • Calpurnia robinioides
  • Calpurnia sericea
  • Calpurnia villosa
  • Calpurnia woodii

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