Overview of Tephrosia Cordata Hutch. & Burtt Davy
Tephrosia Cordata Hutch. & Burtt Davy is an herbaceous plant that belongs to the family of Fabaceae. It is also known by several common names, including Purple hoarypea, Heart-leaved hoarypea, and Butterfly pea. The plant is native to Madagascar but has become naturalized in other parts of the world.
General Appearance of Tephrosia Cordata Hutch. & Burtt Davy
Tephrosia Cordata Hutch. & Burtt Davy is a small, erect, and hairy shrub that grows up to one meter tall. The leaves are alternate, pinnately compound, with oblong or obovate leaflets that measure about 2 to 5 cm long and 1 to 3 cm wide. The stems are slender and covered with rusty-brown hairs. The flowers are usually pink-purple, occasionally light pink or white, and are arranged in racemes at the end of the branches. The fruit is a legume that is about 3 to 4 cm long, slightly curved, and covered with short, rusty hairs.
Uses of Tephrosia Cordata Hutch. & Burtt Davy
Tephrosia Cordata Hutch. & Burtt Davy has a few medicinal uses. The roots and leaves contain alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins that are believed to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties. In some countries, it is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, including skin diseases, fever, and headache.
Additionally, the plant is sometimes used in reforestation projects since its roots can fix nitrogen in the soil, making it useful for soil regeneration. Due to its attractive flowers, the plant is grown as an ornamental in gardens and landscaping.
Light Requirements
Tephrosia cordata requires bright, indirect light to grow well. It cannot tolerate direct sunlight for prolonged periods. Therefore, it is an ideal indoor plant that thrives well in a bright room but away from the sun's harsh rays. The plant can also be grown outdoors in partial shade.
Temperature Requirements
Tephrosia cordata requires a warm and humid environment to grow well. The plant thrives in temperatures ranging from 20 °C to 28 °C during the day and 18 °C to 24 °C at night. The plant cannot withstand temperatures below 15 °C. Therefore, it is essential to keep the plant in a warm and draft-free environment to promote healthy growth.
Soil Requirements
Tephrosia cordata requires well-draining soil to grow well. The plant thrives in soil that is rich in organic matter and has a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. It is essential to add perlite or any other airy material to improve the soil's drainage. Overwatering can cause the plant's roots to rot, leading to stunted growth. Therefore, it is vital to provide proper drainage and let the soil dry out partially before watering the plant.
Cultivation
Tephrosia cordata Hutch. & Burtt Davy is a hardy plant that can grow in a variety of soil types and environments. It is recommended to plant the seeds or seedlings in well-draining soil that has been amended with organic matter, such as compost or manure.
The plant prefers full sun or partial shade and requires a warm climate with temperatures ranging between 15-30 degrees Celsius. It can be grown in pots or directly in the ground, but if grown in pots, make sure to choose a container with adequate drainage holes.
Watering Needs
Proper watering is essential for the healthy growth of Tephrosia cordata Hutch. & Burtt Davy. It is important to keep the soil consistently moist but avoid overwatering. The frequency of watering will depend on the climate and the size of the plant. During the hot summer months, water the plant more frequently, and reduce watering during the winter months.
Fertilization
Fertilization is recommended for Tephrosia cordata Hutch. & Burtt Davy to promote healthy growth and flowering. Use a balanced fertilizer with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium or a slow-release fertilizer. Apply the fertilizer during the growing season, around once a month, but be careful not to over-fertilize.
Pruning
Pruning is not necessary for Tephrosia cordata Hutch. & Burtt Davy, but it can help to control the size and shape of the plant. Prune dead or damaged branches as soon as possible to prevent the spread of disease. You can also prune the plant after flowering to keep it neat and tidy.
Propagation of Tephrosia cordata Hutch. & Burtt Davy
Tephrosia cordata Hutch. & Burtt Davy is a lovely plant commonly found in the savannah regions of Africa. Propagating this plant is a straightforward process that involves a variety of methods.
Seed Propagation
The easiest and most common method of propagating Tephrosia cordata is through seed propagation. Collect the seeds from the dried pods after the flowering period. To ensure that the seeds grow, scarify the seed coat before planting. Plant the seeds into well-draining soil or nurseries with a depth of about 1 ? 8 inches and water regularly. The germination period should last from 4-8 weeks.
Cutting Propagation
Alternatively, Tephrosia cordata can be propagated through cutting. Take a 4- to 6-inch cutting of a healthy stem. Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting and plant in a pot containing a well-draining mixture of soil and sand. Cover the pot with a plastic bag or a transparent plastic sheet to maintain humidity and place it in a shaded area to avoid direct sunlight. After a few weeks, the cutting should begin to root. Once the plant is established, it can be transferred to a bigger container or the ground.
Division Propagation
Another method of propagating Tephrosia cordata is through division propagation. Dig up the plant during the spring and shake off the soil. Split the root ball into several sections, ensuring that each section has some roots and shoots. Plant each section in a new hole with well-draining soil and water regularly.
By using one or more of these propagation methods, Tephrosia cordata can be easily propagated to help provide its lovely flowers in more areas.
Disease Management:
Tephrosia cordata is susceptible to a variety of fungal and bacterial diseases due to a lack of resistance. Below are some common diseases that can affect the plant and ways to manage them.
Leaf spot:
The symptoms of leaf spot are small, circular, water-soaked spots on the leaves that dry out and turn tan. To manage this disease, remove and destroy infected plant debris, maintaining proper plant spacing to improve ventilation, and applying copper-based or sulfur-based fungicides.
Rust:
Rust appears as yellow, orange, or red spots on the leaves, stems, and flowers, causing the leaves to curl and die. To control the disease, remove and destroy infected plant debris, and apply fungicides containing copper oxychloride or mancozeb.
Powdery mildew:
Powdery mildew appears as white, powdery spots on the leaves and is caused by the fungi Erysiphe or Oidium. To control the disease, remove infected plant debris, increase airflow around the plant, and apply sulfur-based fungicides.
Bacterial Blight:
Bacterial blight appears as water-soaked, dark lesions on the leaves that eventually become necrotic. This disease is spread through water, so avoid overhead watering, cutting infected plant parts, and disinfecting pruning tools. There are no chemical treatments available for bacterial blight.
Pest Management:
Several pests can affect Tephrosia cordata. Here are some common pests and ways to manage them.
Aphids:
Aphids are tiny insects that suck the sap from the plant, causing yellowing of leaves, stunted growth, and distorted plant parts. To control aphids, remove them by hand, use a strong stream of water to wash them off the plant, and apply insecticidal soaps.
Spider Mites:
Spider mites are microscopic insects that suck the plant's sap, causing yellowing of leaves, defoliation and a web-like substance on the underside of leaves. To manage spider mites, wash your plant with a strong jet of water, spray insecticidal soap or neem oil and remove badly damaged foliage.
Caterpillars:
Caterpillars can cause significant damage to Tephrosia cordata by chewing on the leaves and stems. The damage caused by caterpillars can lead to defoliation and stunted growth. To manage caterpillars, remove them by hand, apply Bacillus Thuringiensis or insecticidal soaps.
Whiteflies:
Whiteflies are small, sap-sucking insects that cause yellowing of leaves, leaf drop, poor plant growth, and the secretion of a sticky substance called honeydew. To control whiteflies, use sticky traps, dislodge them with a strong stream of water, and apply insecticidal soaps.
