About Parochetus africanus Polhill
Parochetus communis is a prostrate herb that grows 10–20 centimetres (3.9–7.9 in) tall. Its leaves are trifoliate (three-parted, similar to clover leaves). Each individual leaflet measures 8–20 mm (0.3–0.8 in) in both length and width, and can exceptionally reach up to 40 mm or 1.6 in. Leaflets are wedge-shaped (cuneate) at the base, notched at the tip, and have margins that are either smooth or bear minute teeth. The stipules at the base of each leaf stalk are 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and entire, meaning untoothed and undivided. Flowers of P. communis are borne singly or in clusters of up to three flowers on stalks that are typically 8–15 cm (3.1–5.9 in) long, with a full range of 1.5–25 cm (0.6–9.8 in) long. Most flowers are blue, but occasional individuals have white or purple flowers. The large upper petal, called the standard, is 12–20 mm (0.5–0.8 in) long, notched at the tip, and narrowed at the base. The lateral petals, called wings, measure around 13 mm (0.5 in) long, while the keel is 20–25 mm (0.8–1.0 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. Seeds of P. communis develop inside pods. Each pod is 15–25 mm (0.6–1.0 in) long and 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) wide, and holds 8–12 seeds. Each seed is around 2 mm (0.08 in) long, slightly kidney-shaped, and somewhat narrower than it is long. Parochetus communis is native to the Himalaya, other Asian mountain systems extending south to Java, and Afrotropical mountains. In Africa, it occurs in Burundi, central Ethiopia, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and western Uganda. It grows in damp, shady locations including forest floors and the banks of streams and rivers, at altitudes of 1,500–2,000 metres (4,900–6,600 ft). In China, it grows at altitudes of 1,800–3,000 m (5,900–9,800 ft). This species has been introduced to New Zealand, where it was first recorded in 1944. Due to its wide distribution and the lack of identified threats to the species, Parochetus communis is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
