Diagnostic description ⁵

Boerhavia scandens L., Sp. Pl. 3. 1753.

Fig. 128. A-F

Synonym: Commicarpus scandens (L.) Standl.

Clambering herb with pseudodichotomous branching, attainig 1-2 m in length. Branches cylindrical, brittle, glabrous. Leaves opposite, in pairs of the same size, 2-5 × 0.8-4 cm, deltoid, ovate, or broadly ovate, chartaceous, the apex obtuse or acute, the base cordiform or truncate, the margins undulate and ciliate; upper surface glabrous; lower surface puberulent; petioles canaliculate, 0.5-2.7 cm long. Inflorescences umbelliform, axillary; peduncles glabrous, 5-12 cm long; bracts and bracteoles minute, lanceolate, deciduous; pedicels unequal, 2-8 mm long. Calyx: basal part claviform, 1-1.5 mm long, glabrous, green; upper part or limb infundibuliform, white or yellowish green, green or with a pink tinge inside, 2-2.5 mm long; stamens 2, white; pistil white. Anthocarps long-pedicellate, green, claviform, dry, 12-13 mm long, with a ring of sticky stipitate glands on the distal portion.

Phenology: Collected in flower in January and September and in fruit in January.

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2520; 3105; 4764; 7892; 10801; 11291; 11499; 11532.

Distribution ⁶

Distribution: In pastures on roadsides, near the coast. Also on Anegada, St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda; from the southern United States to Guatemala, the Antilles, Venezuela, and from Colombia to Peru.

Public Forest: Guánica.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Anthony Mendoza, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/4970278520_fda596988d.jpg
2. (c) Anthony Mendoza, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/4969666881_cb8599527e.jpg
3. (c) Anthony Mendoza, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/4970277752_55c93074e4.jpg
4. (c) Anthony Mendoza, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/39039456@N07/8055662494/
5. (c) Pedro Acevedo-Rodríguez, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/28435447
6. (c) Pedro Acevedo-Rodríguez, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/28435900

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• eFloras.org
• Flora of North America (beta)
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
• IPNI (with links to POWO, WFO, and BHL)
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• SEINet Symbiota portals
• Tropicos
• USDA PLANTS database
• World Flora Online

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