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Description
Tephrosia Purpurea, also known as the Purple Tephrosia, is a flowering plant that belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. It is native to India and is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions. The plant is a small, perennial shrub that can grow up to 1 meter in height. It has purple, pea-like flowers that bloom in clusters and are about 2.5 cm in length. The leaves are pinnate and have 5-9 leaflets. The plant is known for its medicinal properties and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Tephrosia |
Appearance
The Purple Tephrosia is a small shrub that can grow up to 1 meter in height. It has purple, pea-like flowers that bloom in clusters and are about 2.5 cm in length. The leaves are pinnate and have 5-9 leaflets. The plant has a woody stem and branches that are covered in fine hairs. The plant’s roots are tuberous and have been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of ailments.
Care Guide
To care for Tephrosia Purpurea, it is important to provide it with the right amount of water, fertilization, soil, sunlight, and hardiness zones. Here are some tips:Water: The plant should be watered regularly during the growing season but should be allowed to dry out slightly between watering. Overwatering can cause root rot.Fertilization: The plant should be fertilized with a balanced fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.Soil: The plant prefers well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.Sunlight: The plant prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade.Hardiness Zones: The plant is hardy in USDA zones 9-11.
Common Pests & Diseases
Tephrosia Purpurea is generally pest and disease-resistant but can be susceptible to spider mites and aphids. If the plant is infested, it can be treated with neem oil or insecticidal soap. The plant can also be susceptible to root rot if it is overwatered.
Habitat
Tephrosia Purpurea is native to India and is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions. It prefers well-draining soil and full sun but can tolerate partial shade. The plant is often found growing in open fields, along roadsides, and in disturbed areas.
Question and Answer
Q: Can Tephrosia Purpurea be grown indoors?
A: Yes, the plant can be grown indoors in a sunny location.Q: Is Tephrosia Purpurea poisonous to pets?
A: The plant is not known to be toxic to pets, but it is always a good idea to keep pets away from plants.Q: Can Tephrosia Purpurea be used for medicinal purposes?
A: Yes, the plant has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to treat a variety of ailments.Q: How often should Tephrosia Purpurea be fertilized?
A: The plant should be fertilized with a balanced fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.
Related Plants
Here are some related plants to Tephrosia Purpurea:
- Tephrosia Vogelii
- Tephrosia Candida
- Tephrosia Spinosa
- Tephrosia Apollinea
References
- “Tephrosia Purpurea.” Missouri Botanical Garden. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=286029.
- “Tephrosia Purpurea.” PlantZAfrica. http://pza.sanbi.org/tephrosia-purpurea.
- “Tephrosia Purpurea.” Plants of the World Online. http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:505509-1.
