Vines and Climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

Cissus trifoliata (L.) L., Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 897. 1759.

Fig. 164. E-F

Basionym: Sicyos trifoliata L.

Synonym: Cissus acida L.

Non-woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 2-15 m in length. Stems much branched, cylindrical, fleshy, 3-8 mm in diameter, glabrous or puberulent, reddish brown or grayish when mature, the nodes swollen. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate, fleshy, glabrous; leaflets ovate, obovate, or oblong, 2-3 × 1-2.6 cm, the apex rounded, acute, or truncate, the base cuneate or attenuate, the margins deeply dentate-mucronate on the upper half; upper surface and lower surface dull; petioles fleshy, sulcate, 1-3 cm long; stipules 3.5-5 mm long, lanceolate; tendrils opposite the leaves, simple, filiform, 6-8 cm long, twisted in the form of a spiral. Inflorescences in cymes, opposite the leaves. Calyx yellowish green, 1.5-2 mm long. Petals 4, yellowish or whitish, reflexed, 2-2.5 mm long, lanceolate-triangular, deciduous. Fruits depressed-globose, 7-8 mm in diameter, shiny, metallic blue or black when ripe.

Phenology: Flowering from March to July and fruiting from July to August.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 1017; 1799; 2693; 4375; 5127; 5363; 5446; 11251; 11497; Axelrod, F. 6346; Breckon, G. 4067; Sintenis, P. 4901; Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2015.
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Cardiospermum corindum L., Sp. Pl. ed. 2,526. 1762.

Fig. 149. M-N

Slightly woody vine, much branched from the base, that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 1.5-3 m in length. Stems with 5 longitudinal ribs, pubescent; cross section with a single vascular cylinder. Leaves alternate, biternate; leaflets 12-16 × 9-12 cm, chartaceous, the margins sinuatedentate; both surfaces more or less pubescent, especially on the prominent venation; terminal leaflet rhombic, acute or acuminate at the apex and attenuate at the base; lateral leaflets oblongovate, acute at the apex, rounded at the base; rachis and petioles not winged; petioles 2-3 cm long; stipules minute, early deciduous; tendrils in pairs, spirally twisted, at the end of short axillary axes (aborted inflorescences), from which an inflorescence usually develops. Flowers functionally unisexual, zygomorphic, in axillary racemiform thyrses; cincinni more than 4, usually in more than one whorl. Calyx light green, of 4 sepals, the two outer ones ca. 1 mm long, the inner ones ca. 2.5-4 mm long; petals white, obovate, 3.5-4.5 mm long; petaliferous appendages slightly shorter than the petals, fleshy and yellow at the apex, forming a hood that encloses the apex of the glands of the disc; disc unilateral, with 4 rounded or ovoid glands, ca. 0.4 mm high; stamens 8, the filaments unequal, pubescent; ovary trilocular, with one style and 3 stigmas. Capsule ellipsoid to globose-trigonal, 2-3 cm long, inflated, stramineous when ripe. Seed one per locule, spherical, black, ca. 4 mm in diameter, with a white, reniform hilum.

Phenology: Collected in flower and fruit in February and May.

Status: Apparently native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 1087; 1844; 2345; 2373; 4154; 4345; 11085; Britton, N.L. 1586; Liogier, A.H. 35326; Shafer, J.A. 3017.
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Cardiospermum halicacabum L., Sp. Pl. 366. 1753.

Fig. 149. A-G

Herbaceous vine, much branched from the base, that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 1.5-2 m in length. Stems with 5 longitudinal ribs, glabrous or puberulent; cross section with a single vascular cylinder. Leaves alternate, biternate; leaflets chartaceous, puberulent or sparsely pubescent, the apex obtuse, acute, or acuminate, the base attenuate, the margins lobate or laciniate; terminal leaflet lanceolate or triangularlanceolate, rhombic or narrowly lanceolate in outline, 2-3.5(5) cm long; lateral leaflets ovate, lanceolate, or oblong in outline, 1-2.5 cm long; rachis and petiole not winged; petioles 2-3 cm long; stipules lanceolate, ca. 5 mm long; tendrils in pairs, spirally twisted, at the end of short axillary axes (aborted inflorescences), from which an inflorescence usually develops. Flowers functionally unisexual, zygomorphic, in axillary racemiform thyrses, shorter than the accompanying leaf; cincinni usually in whorls of 3. Calyx light green, of 4 unequal sepals, the outer ones ca. 1.2 mm long, the inner ones 3-3.5 mm long. Petals white, obovate, 2.5-3.5 mm long; petaliferous appendages slightly shorter than the petals, fleshy and yellow at the apex, forming a hood that encloses the apex of the glands of the disc; disc unilateral, with 4 rounded or ovoid glands, ca. 0.4 mm long; stamens 8, the filaments unequal, pubescent; ovary trilocular, with one style and 3 stigmas. Capsule membranaceous, subglobose or turbinate-trigonal, inflated, stramineous when ripe. Seed one per locule, spherical, black, 3-5 mm in diameter, with a white cordiform hilum.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 523; 961; 966; 967; 968; 969; 1088; 2429; 2474; 2501; 5235; 9463; 11490; Britton, N.L. 1882; Goll, G.P. 1004; Liogier, A.H. 10637; Prey, N. 24; Sargent, F.H. 530; Sintenis, P. 1725; Stevenson, J.A. 5261.
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Cardiospermum grandiflorum Sw., Prod. 64. 1788.

Fig. 149. H-K

Slightly woody vine, with numerous lateral branches, that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 5-8 m in length. Stems almost cylindrical, striate, glabrous; cross section with a single vascular cylinder. Leaves alternate, biternate; leaflets chartaceous, glabrous except for some hairs on the veins, the margins deeply serrate; terminal leaflet rhombic, 4.5-8 × 2-4 cm, the apex acute or acuminate, the base cuneate or attenuate; lateral leaflets oblong-lanceolate, 2.7-7 × 1.3-3 cm, the apex acute or acuminate, the base obtuse or attenuate; rachis and petiole not winged, canaliculate; petioles 1-5 cm long; stipules minute, early deciduous; tendrils in pairs, spirally twisted, at the end of short axillary axes (aborted inflorescences), from which an inflorescence usually develops. Flowers functionally unisexual, zygomorphic, in axillary racemiform thyrses; cincinni more than 4, usually in more than one whorl. Calyx light green, of 4 sepals, the two outer ones ca. 1.7-3 mm long, the inner ones ca. 5-8 mm long; petals white, obovate, 6-9 mm long; petaliferous appendages slightly shorter than the petals, fleshy and yellow at the apex, forming a hood that encloses the apex of the glands of the disc; disc unilateral, with 2 elongate glands, corniform, whitish, 1.2-2 mm long; stamens 8, the filaments unequal, glabrous or pubescent; ovary ovoid or ellipsoid, villous, with one style and 3 stigmas. Capsule membranaceous, inflated, ellipsoid or ovoid, 3-5.5 cm long, stramineous when ripe. Seed one per locule, spherical, black, 4-5.5 mm in diameter, with a white, obtusetriangular hilum.

Phenology: Collected in flower in December and in fruit in February.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and locally naturalized in Puerto Rico, not very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 10843.
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Tournefortia hirsutissima L., Sp. Pl. 140. 1753.

Fig. 50. F-J

Twining liana or climbing shrub, 6-10 m in length. Stems woody, up to 2 cm in diameter, the bark somewhat corky, cream-colored, usually with persistent petioles; branches fragile, cylindrical, hirsute or tomentose, usually hollow in the center on drying. Leaves alternate; blades 12-22 × 2-11 cm, elliptical, oblong, or sometimes obovate, chartaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base acute, the margins entire, ciliate; upper surface dark, dull, hirsute, with the venation sunken; lower surface pale green, dull, hirsute, with prominent venation; petioles cylindrical, hispid, 10-12 mm long. Flowers numerous, fragrant, subsessile, in branched scorpioid cymes, corymbiform, terminal. Calyx green, crateriform, pubescent, of 5 lanceolate sepals, ca. 3 mm long; corolla white, hypocrateriform, 4-5 mm long, strigose outside. Drupe white, subglobose, 5-6 mm in diameter.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from November to September.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2458; 2865; 4162; 5076; 5154; 5340; 7240; 10224; 11202; 11205; Axelrod, F. 5053; Cowell, J.F. 586; Goll, G.P. 808; Heller, A.A. 515; Johnston, J.R. 875; Sargent, F.H. 32; Shafer, J.A. 2693; Sintenis, P. 667; 1733; 6826; Stevenson, J.A. 1568; 1792; Underwood, L.M. 289.
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Hippocratea volubilis L., Sp. Pl. 1191. 1753.

Fig. 58. A-H

Synonym: Hippocratea ovata Lam.

Woody vine, climbing, which supports itself on other plants by twining lateral branches and attains 10-15 m in length. Stems green, quadrangular, becoming grayish and cylindrical when mature; branches opposite, twining, developing before the leaves. Leaves opposite; blades 4-17 × 2-8 cm, elliptical or oblong, coriaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base obtuse or rounded, sometimes unequal, the margins crenulate or slightly serrate; upper surface shiny, glabrous, with the veins slightly sunken; lower surface pale green, dull, glabrous, with the venation slightly prominent; petioles 3-7 mm long; stipules absent. Flowers numerous, in axillary corymbs. Calyx yellowish green, of 5 rounded sepals, ca. 1 mm long; corolla of 5 yellowish or whitish petals, free, oblanceolate, 2.5-3 mm long, pubescent on the distal portion; stamens 3, the filaments connate into a conical disc, which almost totally surrounds the ovary; ovary superior, tricarpellate, the style one, with a punctiform stigma. Mericarps 3, divergent, flattened, conspicuously veined, 4-8 cm long; seeds few, winged, ca. 4 cm long, the seed-bearing portion elliptical, the wing oblong.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year and fruiting from October to January.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 248; 569; 2999; 6175; 6186; 7130; Axelrod, F. 4630; Britton, N.L. 1440; 1599; 1917; 4345; 5812; Eggers, B. 1160; Heller, A.A. 266; 4424; Liogier, A.H. 10265; 30929; Pfeifer 2934; Shafer, J.A. 2876; 2899; 2910; 3247; Sintenis, P. 795; 1854; 5164; 6392; Stevenson, J.A. 396; 2692; Underwood, L.M. 643.
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Convolvulus nodiflorus Desr. in Lam., Encycl. 3: 557. 1792.

Fig. 63. G-K

Synonyms: Jacquemontia nodiflora (Desr.) G. Don

Convolvulus albiflorus Vahl

Slightly woody vine, twining, attaining 5 m in length. Stems cylindrical, tomentose, with white or golden hairs, trifurcate, producing watery latex. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 2-4.5 × 1-3 cm, lanceolate, ovate, elliptical, or rounded, chartaceous, the apex obtuse, acute, acuminate, or retuse, usually mucronate, the base rounded, truncate, or cordiform, the margins entire; upper surface dull, with the midvein slightly prominent, sparsely covered with 2- or 3-fid trichomes; lower surface densely pubescent with white or golden, bi- or trifid hairs, with the pinnate venation prominent; petioles slender, 0.5-1.5 cm long. Flowers few, in axillary cymes; peduncle densely tomentose, up to ca. 1 cm long. Calyx light green, crateriform, sepals ovate, equal, not accrescent, 3-3.5 mm long, rounded at the apex; corolla white, infundibuliform, 1.2-1.5 cm long, the limb with 5 obtuse lobes; stamens white, the filaments 8-10 mm long; ovary white, the stigmas exserted. Capsules ovoid, ca. 5 mm long, the pericarp thin, light brown; seeds brown, ca. 3 mm long, with 2 sides flat and one convex, puberulous.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from October to April.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2274; 2378; 2761; 3165; 3960; 4000; 5362; 6188; 7008; 7870; 10171; Britton, N.L. 28; 1577; 1802; Goll, G.P. 514; 570; Heller, A.A. 877; 6060; Sargent, F.H. 148; 207; Shafer, J.A. 2384; 2984; Sintenis, P. 2115; 2899; 3098.
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Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw., Fl. Ind. Occ. 1150.1800.

Fig. 88. A-E

Basionym: Sicyos edulis Jacq.

Herbaceous vine climbing by axillary tendrils, 10 or more m in length. Stems much branched, greenish, striate, pubescent when young, glabrous when mature, sometimes pubescent at the nodes; tendrils axillary or lateral to the leaves, thick, with 4 or 5 branches that intertwine in a spiral. Leaves alternate; blades 6-22 × 6-22 cm, ovate or rounded, 3-5-lobed-angled, chartaceous, the venation 5-9-palmate, the lobes acute at the apex, the base cordiform, the margins entire or denticulate; upper surface dark green, scabrous, with the venation slightly prominent; lower surface yellowish green, with prominent venation, pubescent; petioles thick, 4-15 cm long. Staminate flowers in axillary racemes; calyx green, campanulate, with 5 minute lanceolate lobes; corolla yellowish green, the lobes oblong, 6-8 mm long; stamens yellow. Pistillate flowers solitary on a long pedicel axillary to the staminate inflorescence; calyx green, campanulate, with oblong lobes, ca. 4 mm long; corolla yellowish green, with five deep lobes, oblong, 10-12 mm long; ovary inferior, obovoid-fusiform, pubescent. Fruit fleshy, pyriform, sulcate, 8-16 cm long, green or white, usually spinulose. Seed one, lenticular, germinating inside the fruit.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, very common.
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Momordica charantia L., Sp. Pl. 1009. 1753.

Fig. 86. G-K

Herbaceous vine, creeping or climbing by axillary tendrils, attaining 8 m in length. Stems green, slender, subcylindrical, striate, villous; tendrils simple, 9-11 cm long. Leaves alternate; blades 3-11 × 3-10 cm, 5-7-lobed, membranaceous to chartaceous, the apex obtuse or acute, the base cordiform, the margins deeply undulate or dentate; upper surface dark green, dull, puberulous; lower surface yellowish green, dull, with prominent venation, puberulous; petioles slender, sulcate or slightly winged, villous, 3-6 cm long. Flowers solitary, axillary; peduncle elongate, with a foliose bract below the middle. Calyx yellowish green, campanulate, 10-12 mm long, the lobes lanceolate; corolla pale yellow, rotate, ca. 3.5 cm in diameter. Capsule ellipsoid-angular to fusiform, muricate, 3-5 cm long, changing from green to yellow-orange when mature, dehiscent at the apex by 3 valves; seeds pendulous, compressed, covered by a red and fleshy aril.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, very common.

Commentary: Momordica charantia has at least three forms that are cultivated for their edible fruits. These are known as “bitter melon” and “bitter gourd” and may attain up to 60 cm long. In Puerto Rico the wild form, not a cultivated one, is found, although there exists one collection (Sintenis 919), made in 1885, with fruits ca. 15 cm long, apparently from a cultivated plant.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2678; 2734; 4671; Britton, N.L. 16; Goll, G.P. 60; 310; Heller, A.A. 153; 4458; Sargent, F.H. 123; Shafer, J.A. 2520; Sintenis, P. 726; 919; Stevenson, J.A. 97.
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Cucurbita moschata Duchesne ex Poir., Dict. Sci. Nat. 11: 234. 1818.

Fig. 83. A-B

Herbaceous vine, creeping or climbing by axillary tendrils, 5-10 m in length. Stems branched from the base and along the main stems, flexible, angular, pubescent with soft or slightly rigid hairs, elongate, not pungent; tendrils with 4 branches, pilose, shorter than the petiole. Leaves alternate; blades 15-25 × 15-25 cm, broadly ovate, slightly lobed, the lobes obtuse, the apex obtuse, the base cordiform or hastate, the margins finely serrate; upper surface puberulous, usually with irregular whitish spots; lower surface shortpubescent, with prominent venation; petioles 11-39 cm long, striate, puberulous to densely pubescent, with unicelular hairs intermingled with multicellular trichomes. Flowers solitary; calyx campanulate, yellowish green, 3.5-4 cm long, hirsute, the lobes linear to oblong, 2.5-3 cm long; corolla brilliant yellow, campanulate, 7-9 cm long, the lobes obtuse, revolute; peduncle thick, angular, sulcate. Berry variable, soft or hard, depressedglobose to globose, green, turning yellowish when ripe, 25-30 cm long; mesocarp orange, fleshy, thick; seeds numerous, elliptical, 1.5-2 cm long, cream-colored to light brown.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, common.

Commentary: In Puerto Rico two other species of Cucurbita (C. pepo L. and C. maxima Duchesne ex Lam.) have been reported; nevertheless, these are rarely cultivated and are not found naturalized in Puerto Rico (pers. comm. Dr. Linda Beaver, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus).
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Cayaponia racemosa (Mill.) Cogn. in A.Dc. & C.Dc., Mon. Phan. 3: 768. 1881.

Fig. 80. C-G

Basionym: Bryonia racemosa Mill.

Climbing herbaceous vine, with axillary tendrils, attaining 10-15 m in length. Stems green, cylindrical, striate, glabrous, swollen at the nodes; tendrils trifid, 15 cm long or longer. Leaves alternate; blades entire or 3-7-lobed, 4-20 × 3-17 (25) cm, ovate, chartaceous or subcoriaceous, the lobes oblong, the apex acuminate or acute, the base cordiform or reniform, the margins spinulose; upper surface scabrid; lower surface light green, dull, with the reticulate venation prominent, puberulous; petioles sulcate or slightly winged, glabrous, 4-7 cm long. Flowers unisexual, in axillary racemes. Calyx pale green, crateriform or campanulate, 3-4 mm long, the lobes triangular; corolla greenish white, tubular, the tube ca. 3 mm long, pubescent inside, the lobes 3-5 mm long, reflexed. Berry ovoid, 10-12 mm long, green, turning orange when ripe; seeds 2-3, elliptical, ca. 8 mm long, not arillate.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common throughout Puerto Rico.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 9355; 10805; 11444; Axelrod, F. 4441; 6087; Britton, N.L. 1784; Stevenson, J.A. 772.
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Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt, Hort. Suburb. Calcutt. 59. 1845.

Fig. 81. A-D

Basionym: Bryonia grandis L.

Synonym: Coccinia cordifolia sensu Britton, non (L.) Cogn.

Subwoody vine, climbing by axillary tendrils, which attains 20 m in length. Stems much branched, angular, with white dots, pubescent in the area of the nodes; tendrils simple or bifid, shorter than the leaves. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 4-11 × 4.2-10 cm, entire or deeply 5-lobed, the apex obtuse or acute, the base cordiform, the central lobe lanceolate, the lateral ones asymmetrical, ovate-lanceolate, the margins minutely dentate; upper surface dull, scabrid; lower surface pale green, dull, slightly scabrid, with prominent venation; petioles 1.5-2 cm long, sulcate, glabrous. Flowers usually solitary, axillary, the staminate and pistillate flowers similar. Hypanthium ellipsoid. Calyx turbinate, green, ca. 5 mm long, glabrous; corolla white, with the center pale yellow, campanulate, 5-lobed, the tube 2-2.5 cm long, the limb 3-5 cm in diameter. Berry ellipsoid, smooth, 3-6 cm long, red when ripe; seeds numerous, compressed, ca. 6 mm long.

Phenology: Collected in flower in August.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, locally common.
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Cayaponia americana (Lam.) Cogn. in A.Dc. & C.Dc., Monogr. Phan. 3: 785. 1881.

Fig. 80. A-B

Basionym: Bryonia americana Lam.

Herbaceous vine, slender, climbing or creeping, with axillary tendrils, attaining 10 m in length. Stems angular, glabrous or puberulous, swollen at the nodes; tendrils simple or branched, usually longer than the leaves. Leaves alternate; blades 5-20 × 5-18 (25) cm, chartaceous, ovate, palmatilobed, with 3-5 more or less deep lobes, oblong to linear, the apices acute, acuminate, or rounded, the base cordiform or lyrate, the margins entire or crenate; upper surface dark green, shiny, hispidulous, with the venation sunken and pubescent; lower surface yellowish green, dull, with the venation reticulate, prominent, and pubescent; petioles sulcate, puberulous, 2-7 cm long. Flowers solitary or in short racemes. Calyx green, campanulate, 5-9 mm long; corolla white or greenish yellow, minutely pubescent, the tube ca. 1 cm long, the lobes 12-15 mm long, oblong, reflexed; stamens exserted, the filaments greenish, pubescent at the base, the anthers yellow. Berry ellipsoid, 1.5-2 cm long, smooth, olive-green, turning orange or red-orange when ripe; seeds ovate, 0.8-1.2 cm long, not arillate.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from February to December.

Status: Native, very common throughout Puerto Rico.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 702; 1850; 2065; 2625; 2735; 3856; 7853; 10792; 10860; 10896; 11320; Axelrod, F. 5064; Britton, N.L. 128; 923; 1240; 4146; 7800; Heller, A.A. 4663; Liogier, A.H. 10468; 28920; Sargent, F.H. 615; Shafer, J.A. 2640; Sintenis, P. 1441; 2398; 5015; 5236; Stevenson, J.A. 5209; Wilson, P. 265.
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Cucumis melo L., Sp. Pl. 1011. 1753.

Fig. 82. G-I

Creeping herb or herbaceous vine, creeping or climbing by axillary tendrils, attaining 2 m in length. Stems branched from the base and along the main stems, slender, angular, sulcate, hispid; tendrils simple, hispid, as long as the leaves. Leaves alternate; blades 2.2-13 × 2-13 cm, ovate, broadly ovate, or trilobed, the lobes obtuse, the base cordiform or lyrate, the margins denticulate; upper surface dull, scabrid; lower surface pale green, dull, scabrid, with prominent venation and hispidulous; petioles 1-9 cm long, sulcate, hispid. Staminate flowers in axillary fascicles; pistillate flowers solitary; calyx campanulate, yellowish green, 2.8-4(5.6) mm long, hispidulous, the lobes linear to triangular, 1.2-3.6 mm long; corolla yellow, infundibuliform, 7-1.4 mm long, the lobes obtuse. Berry ellipsoid, smooth, 4.5-5.5 cm long, green with whitish spots, turning yellow-orange when ripe, the pulp extremely bitter; seeds numerous, elliptical, cream-colored, 4-5 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, uncommon.
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Cucumis dipsaceus Ehrenb. ex Spach, Hist. Nat. Veg. 6: 211. 1838.

Fig. 82. E-F

Herbaceous vine, creeping or climbing by axillary tendrils, which attains 1.5 m in length. Stems much branched, slender, angular, sulcate, hispid on the angular margins; tendrils simple, longer than the leaves. Leaves alternate; blades 2.5-7.5 × 2-7 cm, ovate or trilobed, the lobes obtuse, the base cordiform, the apex obtuse, the margins dentate or entire; upper surface dull, scabrid; lower surface pale green, dull, scabrid, with prominent venation and hispidulous; petioles sulcate, hispidulous or hispid, 1.5-5 (12) cm long. Flowers solitary, the staminate flowers sometimes in axillary fascicles; calyx campanulate, 3.6-5.2 mm long, hispidulous, the lobes narrowly oblong or linear, 1.6-4 mm long, hispidulous; corolla pale yellow, campanulate, hispidulous outside, the tube 1-1.5 mm long, the lobes obovate, acute, 5.5-8.5 mm long. Berry ellipsoid or globose, densely spiny (spines ca. 1 cm long), 3-6.5 cm long, pale yellow; seeds numerous, elliptical, cream-colored, 4-5 mm long.

Phenology: Collected in flower in April and in fruit from April to June.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 8519; 11073; Axelrod, F. 10474. Cucumis melo: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 10460; Axelrod, F. 8452; Stevenson, J.A. 5310; Taylor, C.M. 8560.
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Cucumis anguria L., Sp. Pl. 1011. 1753.

Fig. 82. A-D

Herbaceous vine, creeping or climbing by axillary tendrils, which attains 0.25-2 m in length. Stems branched from the base, slender, angular, hirsute; tendrils simple, shorter than the leaves. Leaves alternate; blades 3-10 × 3.5-10 cm, deeply 3-5-palmatilobed, the lobes oblong or oblanceolate, the apices obtuse or rounded, the base lyrate, the margins ciliate, crenate or denticulate; upper surface dull, scabrid; lower surface pale green, dull, scabrid, with prominent venation and hispidulous; petioles sulcate, hispidulous, 6-12 cm long. Flowers solitary or in axillary fascicles, unisexual. Calyx campanulate,yellowish, 5-6 mm long, villous-spinulose; corolla pale yellow, ca. 1 cm long, the lobes acute. Berry ellipsoid or obovoid, spinulose, 4-5 cm long, greenish yellow, edible; seeds numerous, elliptical, cream-colored, 1-1.3 cm long.

Phenology: Collected in flower and fruit from January to March and in July and November.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 4023; 5234; Axelrod, F. 5939; 9695; Britton, N.L. 1265; Eggers, B. 627; Goll, G.P. 646; Liogier, A.H. 29440; Shafer, J.A. 2663; Sintenis, P. 601; Stevenson, J.A. 3258; Underwood, L.M. 575.
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Passiflora foetida L., Sp. Pl. 959. 1753.

Fig. 133. J-K

Slightly woody vine, glandular-pubescent, attainig 5 m in length and climbs by means of axillary tendrils. Viscid glandular hairs with a strong disagreeable odor. Stems cylindrical, slightly striate, glandular-pubescent. Leaves alternate, chartaceous, usually trilobate, with the central lobe longer than the lateral ones, or less frequently simple, 5-12 × 5-10 cm, both surfaces pubescent, the lobes elliptical to ovate, with the apex acute or acuminate, the base cordiform or subcordiform, the margins crenate-serrate; petioles slender, pubescent, 2-5.5 cm long, pilose, eglandular; stipules ovate in outline, pinnatifid; tendrils pubescent, simple, 15 cm or more in length. Flowers axillary, solitary or clustered in pairs or threes, subtended by an involucre of three pinnatifid bracts, 2-3 cm long, glandular-viscid; pedicels 4-4.5 cm long, pubescent. Sepals 5, oblong, green, whitish on the inner surface, 2-2.5 cm long, mucronate at the apex; petals white, oblong, 2-2.5 cm long; corona multiseriate, the segments filiform, 15-17 mm long, the innermost series with a violet band at the base; gynophore cylindrical, green, with reddish spots, ca. 7 mm long; stamens 5; ovary ellipsoid, green, sparsely pilose, the styles pilose, the stigmas capitate. Fruit a coriaceous or papery berry, ovoid, 1.5-2.5 cm long, orange when ripe, covered by the persistent bracts. Seeds numerous, oblong, truncate at both ends, foveate, ca. 5 mm long, covered by a yellow aril.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 772; 1948; 5186; 5333; 11229; Axelrod, F. 5050; Boom, B. 8008; Britton, N.L. 2244; Goll, G.P. 393; Heller, A.A. 978; 1029; 6119; Johnston, J.R. 225; Liogier, A.H. 9805; Sargent, F.H. 193; 573; Sintenis, P. 810; Underwood, L.M. 113; 346.
less ↑

Passiflora edulis Sims, Bot. Mag. 45: t. 1989. 1818.

Fig. 133. A-G

Woody vine, glabrous, attainig 5-10 m in length and climbs by means of axillary tendrils. Stems cylindrical, attaining 2 cm in diameter. Leaves alternate, glabrous, coriaceous, 7-12 × 9-15 cm, deeply trilobate, the lobes oblong or elliptical, the apex acute, the base cordiform, the margins serrate; upper surface dark green, slightly shiny, with the venation yellowish; lower surface pale green, with prominent venation; petioles 3-6 cm long, with a pair of prominent sessile glands in the area where they join the blade; stipules filiform, ca. 5 mm long; tendrils simple. Flowers solitary, pendulous, axillary, subtended by an involucre of 3 ovate bracts, ca. 2 cm long; peduncle 4-6 cm long. Sepals oblong, green, whitish on the inner surface, 3-3.5 cm long; petals oblong, white on the inner surface, 2.5-3 cm long; corona with two series of appendages, with violet bands; gynophore green, ovoid, lobate, 5-7 mm long; stamens 5; ovary ellipsoid, green, the styles slightly reflexed, the stigmas capitate. Fruit ovoid, 5-7 cm long, yellow when ripe, the pericarp coriaceous, thick. Seeds numerous, black, elliptical, foveate, ca. 5 mm long, covered with a juicy orange matrix.

Phenology: Flowering from April to October and fruiting from June to December.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 834; 5164; Liogier, A.H. 10258; Stevenson, J.A. 6420.
less ↑

Passiflora multiflora L., Sp. Pl. 956. 1753.

Fig. 3F; 134. C-F

Slightly woody vine, tomentose, attainig 2-15 m in length and climbs by means of axillary tendrils. Stems cylindrical, with numerous lateral branches; mature stems sulcate; cross section with 4-lobate xylem. Leaves alternate, tomentose, chartaceous, 5-12 × 2-4 cm, oblong or lanceolate, not lobate, the apex rounded or obtuse, mucronate, the base obtuse or rounded, the margins entire, revolute; upper surface dull, pubescent; lower surface pale green, dull, pilose, with prominent venation; petioles 4-10 mm long, tomentose, with a pair of glands in the area where they join the blade; stipules filiform, 3-5 mm long; tendrils simple. Flowers in groups of 2-6, axillary, subtended by a minute subulate bract; peduncle 5-15 mm long, tomentose. Sepals elliptical, green, ca. 3.5 × 1.5 mm; petals linear, white, 3.5 × 0.8 mm; corona of numerous filiform segments, yellowish, ca. 2.5 mm long; gynophore cylindrical, broadened at the base, 0.7-0.8 mm long; stamens 5, yellowish; ovary ellipsoid, green, the stigmas capitate-bilobate, yellow. Fruit a fleshy berry, depressed-globose, 6-8 mm in diameter, glabrous, turning from green to purple when ripe. Seeds numerous, lenticular, rugose, ca. 2 mm long, light brown.

Phenology: Collected in flower from December to March and in fruit from January to April.

Status: Native, uncommon

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2484; 3857; 4002; 11650; 11704; Britton, N.L. 1426; 6787; 7118; Sintenis, P. 687; 6654; Stevenson, J.A. 1248.
less ↑

Passiflora sexflora Juss., Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris 6: 110, t. 37, f. 1. 1805.

Fig. 136. C-G.

Herbaceous vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 6 m in length. Stems slender, pubescent, almost cylindrical or angular, attaining 4 mm in diameter. Leaves alternate, simple, bilobate or less frequently with a third (short) lobe in a central position, 6-8(10) × 3.5-14 cm, chartaceous, with three main veins that are borne from the base, the lobes acute, divergent, the apex of the blade forming a central lobe, more or less deep, rounded, mucronate, the base subcordiform, the margins entire; upper surface pubescent, especially on the veins; lower surface with the veins prominent, pubescent; petioles 2-3 cm long, pubescent, with a violet tonality, without glands; stipules subulate, 3-5 mm long; tendrils axillary, simple, pubescent, ca. 6 cm long. Flowers minute, in axillary cymes; peduncles pubescent, 5-7 mm long; pedicels ca. 7 mm long, pubescent. Sepals yellowish green, 8-15 mm long, lanceolate, abaxially pubescent; petals 5, whitish, 8-9 × 2 mm, linear; corona biseriate, the filaments white with mulberry-colored bands, 5-8 mm long; stamens 5; stigmas subglobose. Fruit a depressedglobose berry, dark violet, pubescent, 5-8 mm in diameter. Seeds numerous, ca. 2 mm long, depressed-ovoid, rugulose.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from September to May.

Status: Native, relatively common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2679; 3752; 7847; 9320; 9446; 10761; 10869; Axelrod, F. 5338; 6137; Britton, N.L. 450; 1398; 2019; 2607; 2756; Cowles, H.T. 141; Goll, G.P. 440; Heller, A.A. 4475; Howard, R.A. 16942; Sargent, F.H. 322; 599; Wetmore 209.
less ↑

Passiflora suberosa L., Sp. Pl. 958. 1753.

Fig. 137. A-E

Synonym: Passiflora pallida L.

Non-woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 1-3 m in length. Stems slender, cylindrical, pubescent or glabrous, usually with a reddish tinge; mature stems with 4 longitudinal wings, of cork or corky material. Leaves alternate, chartaceous, glabrous, 4-15 × 4-10 cm, extremely variable in form, trilobate, lanceolate, ovate, linear, or elliptical, with 3 or 5 main veins that are borne from the base, the lobes more or less deep, oblong, ovate to almost linear, the central lobe longer than the lateral ones, the apex obtuse or acute, the base cordiform, rounded, or obtuse, sometimes peltate, the margins slightly revolute, ciliate; upper surface shiny, glabrous or puberulent; lower surface glabrous or pubescent, with slightly prominent venation; petioles 15-20 mm long, glabrous or pubescent, sulcate, reddish, with a pair of minute glands above the middle; tendrils axillary, simple, glabrous; stipules filiform, ca. 5 mm. Flowers erect, solitary or in pairs, axillary; pedicels articulate, 15-20 mm long; bracts absent. Sepals 5, lanceolate, 8-13 mm long, green outside, whitish or light green on the inner surface; petals absent; corona biseriate, the segments mulberry-colored, shorter than the sepals; gynophore cylindrical, ca. 5 mm long; stamens 5, green, ascendent; ovary ellipsoid, green, the styles reflexed, the stigmas capitate. Fruit an ovoid or ellipsoid berry, 10-12 mm long, dark violet when ripe. Seeds numerous, ellipsoid, ca. 3 mm long, covered by a green pulp.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 614; 630; 639; 898; 2063; 2330; 2434; 3006; 3133; 4075; 4302; 5196; 6958; 10498; 11374; 11474; 11510; Britton, N.L. 38; 5030; Fosberg, F.R. 57550; Goll, G.P. 185; 311; 331; 409; 634; Heller, A.A. 6068; Prey, N. 80; Sargent, F.H. 3208; Shafer, J.A. 2506; 2788; Sintenis, P. 644; 811; 1687; 3488; 5114; Stevenson, J.A. 1856; Underwood, L.M. 472; 601.
less ↑

Passiflora laurifolia L., Sp. Pl. 956. 1753.

Fig. 133. H-I

Woody vine, glabrous, attainig 2-5(-10) m in length and climbs by means of axillary tendrils. Young parts with a reddish tinge. Stems cylindrical, flexible. Leaves alternate, glabrous, coriaceous, 6.6-12 × 3.7-6.6 cm, oblong or elliptic-lanceolate, not lobate, the apex rounded or obtuse, sometimes mucronate or shortapiculate, the base almost cordiform, truncate to almost rounded, the margins entire; lower surface pale green, with the midvein prominent; petioles 0.7-2.5 cm long, reddish, with a pair of globose glands in the area where they join the blade; stipules filiform, 8-10 mm long, glandular at the apex; tendrils simple. Flowers solitary, pendulous, axillary, subtended by a persistent involucre of 3 ovate bracts, 2.5-4 cm long, with the margins serrate-glandular; peduncle 2-3.2 cm long. Sepals oblong-elliptical, 3-4 cm long, violet-pink on the inner surface, green externally, with a dorsal keel that projects beyond the apex; petals oblong, white, with numerous violet dots on the inner surface, 3.5-4 cm long; corona multiseriate, the segments filiform, with violet bands, shorter than the petals; gynophore cylindrical, yellow, ca. 1 cm long; stamens 5; ovary ellipsoid, yellow, the styles curved, the stigmas capitate-bilobate. Fruit a coriaceous berry, ellipsoid, 4-6 cm long, green, with numerous yellow dots, with the involucre persistent at the base. Seeds numerous, elliptictriangular, foveate, cream-colored, covered by a juicy yellow matrix.

Phenology: Collected in flower from June to August and in fruit in July and August.

Status: Apparently exotic, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 927; 929; 1924; 2856; 5104; 5169; 5355; 11478; Sintenis, P. 1890.
less ↑

Plumbago scandens L., Sp. Pl. ed. 2, 215. 1762.

Fig. 140. A-F

Slightly woody shrub, scandent, with numerous basal or lateral branches, attaining 2-3 m in length. Stems cylindrical, striate, glabrous. Leaves alternate, chartaceous, 3-13 × 1-6 cm, ovate, oblong-lanceolate, spathulate, or oblanceolate, the apex acute, acuminate, or obtuse, the base obtuse, rounded, cuneate, or attenuate, sometimes unequal, the margins entire; upper surface glabrous; lower surface with lepidote dots; petioles 5-10 mm long. Inflorescences of terminal panicles, up to 30 cm long; peduncles glabrous, striate, sparsely covered with sessile glands; bracteoles elliptical, ca. 2 mm long; pedicels ca. 1 cm long. Calyx green, 7-11 mm long, the ribs with sticky stipitate glands; corolla white, hypocrateriform, the tube 1.2-2 cm long, the lobes 0.5-1 cm long, obovate, mucronate; stamens exserted, the anthers pale violet. Fruit an oblong capsule, covered by the persistent calyx and sticky.

Phenology: Collected in flower from January to August.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, common in our gardens.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 627; 1893; 2462; 5341.
less ↑

Iresine angustifolia Euphrasén, Beskr. Ste. Barthél. 165.1795.

Fig. 17. A-F

Synonyms:Iresine elatior Rich. ex Willd.

Iresine celosioides Sw.

Herb, clambering or less frequently creeping, or sometimes a subshrub attainig 2 m in length, much branched from a woody base. Stems cylindrical, glabrous, with the nodes somewhat swollen. Leaves opposite; blades 2-13 × 0.5-4.5 cm, lanceolate, chartaceous, the apex short or long-acuminate, the base obtuse or acute, usually unequal, the margins entire, slightly revolute; upper surface glabrous or puberulous; lower surface dull, with prominent venation; petioles slender, 0.5-2 cm long. Flowers bisexual, in terminal panicles, up to 30 cm long; bracts and bracteoles lanceolate, with a dorsal keel and the apex aristate, the bracteoles of the same size as the tepals. Tepals 5, white to greenish, elliptical, ca. 1.5 mm long, with a tuft of undulate hairs at the base; stamens 5; stigma bifid. Capsule subglobose, membranaceous, ca. 1 mm long; seeds black, shiny, subglobose, 0.8-1 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 779; 2469;2568; 2726; 3122; 3890; 6979; 10658; Raunkiaer, C. s.n.
less ↑

Celosia nitida Vahl, Symb. Bot. 2: 44. 1791.

Fig. 16. A-E

Herb or subshrub, erect or sometimes clambering, 0.5-1 m in length, with numerous branches that are borne on a woody base. Branches cylindrical, glabrous, striate. Leaves alternate; blades 2-6 × 1-3 (4) cm, deltate-lanceolate or lanceolate, chartaceous, glabrous, the apex acute, the base unequal, truncate, abruptly narrowed toward the petiole, the margins entire or slightly undulate; upper surface dull, with numerous whitish dots; petioles slender, 1-1.5 cm long. Flowers arranged in terminal, simple or branched spikes, 2-10 cm long; bracts and bracteoles triangular, with a hyaline margin. Tepals whitish with the apex somewhat reddish, oblonglanceolate, ca. 4 mm long, glabrous; stamens 5, the filaments compressed, united at the base to form a short staminal tube; ovary ovoid, the stigmas 3, ca. 2 mm long. Capsule subglobose, somewhat compressed, ca. 3 mm long; seeds 9-19, dark brown, shiny, ca. 1.2 mm long, lenticular, naked.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 1807; 4358; 6988; 11080; 11293; Britton, N.L. 132; 1956; 5033; Heller, A.A. 6424; Johnston, J.R. 1246; Sargent, F.H. 3211; Shafer, J.A. 2756; Sintenis, P. 615; 3024; 3444; Velez, I. 3086a.
less ↑

Chamissoa altissima (Jacq.) Kunth in Humb. Bonpl. & Kunth, Nov. Gen. Sp. (quarto ed.) 2: 197. 1817.

Fig. 1. D, 16. F-K

Basionym: Achyranthes altissima Jacq.

Liana or woody shrub, clambering, 3-15 m in length, with numerous pendulous branches. Stems angular when young and cylindrical when mature, up to 3 cm in diameter, glabrous; cross section of the stem with bands of vascular tissue alternating with very narrow bands of parenchymatous tissue. Leaves alternate; blades 8-14 × 3-7 cm, elliptical, ovate, or elliptic-ovate, chartaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base rounded, the margins undulate; upper surface slightly shiny, puberulous; lower surface pale green, dull, with prominent venation; petioles slender, usually reddish, 2-4.5 cm long. Flowers in terminal panicles, 4-16 cm long. Perianth white to greenish, with five ovate tepals, concave, acute, ca. 3 mm long, glabrous; stamens 5; stigma bifid. Capsule ovoid, truncate at the apex, membranaceous, turning from green to white, 3-4 mm long; seeds dark brown, shiny, completely covered by a white arillode.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3738; 7050; 7730; 7849; 9410; 11872; Axelrod, F. 10982; Heller, A.A. 545; 4521; 6197; Johnston, J.R. 1130; Sargent, F.H. 82; 461; 704; Sintenis, P. 264; 2139; 5892; 6357; Stevenson, J.A. 1130.
less ↑

Iresine diffusa Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 765. 1805.

Fig. 17. J-L

Synonyms: Iresine paniculata (L.) Kuntze

Iresine celosioides L.

Iresine celosia L.

Herb or subshrub, clambering or less frequently creeping, 1-3 m in length, much branched from the woody base. Stems glabrous or pubescent, with the nodes compressed, usually pilose. Leaves opposite; blades 3-9 (-11) × 1-5 cm, lanceolate or ovate, chartaceous, the apex acute or obtuse, the base obtuse, acute, or truncate, the margins slightly undulate and revolute; upper surface dull, puberulous or glabrous; lower surface dull, pubescent or glabrous, with prominent venation; petioles slender, 0.5-3.0 cm long. Flowers unisexual, in terminal or axillary panicles, pendulous, 7-15 cm long, the axes pubescent or glabrous; bracts and bracteoles not keeled, acute or short-acuminate at the apex, the bracteoles smaller than the tepals. Tepals creamcolored or whitish; ovate or oblong, with a tuft of undulate hairs at the base, 0.5-0.8 mm long in the staminate flowers, oblong, 0.9-1.1 mm long in the pistillate flowers; stamens 5, the filaments unequal. Capsule ellipsoid, membranaceous, ca. 1 mm long; seeds reddish brown, shiny.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from September to May.

Status: Native, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 118; 7852; 9487; 9494; Britton, N.L. 1444; Goll, G.P. 600; 622; Heller, A.A. 349; Morton, C.V. 5740; Sargent, F.H. 221; Sintenis, P. 303; 2422; 5844; Stevenson, J.A. 2410; Underwood, L.M. 342; 457.
less ↑

Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn., Bot. Beechey Voy. 308, t. 69. 1838.

Fig. 142. G-M

Slightly woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 5-13 m in length. Stems puberulent, pentagonal, with many lateral branches. Leaves alternate, ovate, triangularovate, or almost lanceolate, chartaceous, 5-14.5 × 2-7 cm, the apex acute or acuminate, the base cordiform or truncate, the margins crenulate, sometimes ciliate; upper surface light green, slightly shiny, puberulent, with the venation sunken; lower surface pale green, dull, puberulent or glabrous, with prominent venation; petioles 1-5 cm long, reddish, puberulent, cylindrical or subwinged. Flowers bisexual, in axillary racemes or terminal panicles, 10-20 cm long, puberulent, terminating in a pair of spiral tendrils; pedicels 3-4(-10) mm long. Perianth 4-7 mm long, of 5 ovate or elliptical tepals, intense pink or white; staminal column 2-3 mm long, of the same color as the tepals. Achene ovoid, 5-8 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year, although more predominantly from June to December.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, locally very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 1811; 5267; 11265; 11468; Goll, G.P. 75; 648; Sargent, F.H. s.n.; Shafer, J.A. 2706; Sintenis, P. 953; Stevenson, J.A. 530.
less ↑

Antigonon guatemalense Meissn. in Dc., Prodr. 14: 184. 1856.

Fig. 142. A-F

Synonyms: Antigonon macrocarpum Britton & Small

Antigonon grandiflorum (Bertol) B.L. Rob.

Slightly woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 5-10 m in length. Stems puberulent, pentagonal. Leaves alternate, ovate, broadly ovate, or ovate-triangular, chartaceous, 5-9.5 × 3.2-7.7 cm, the apex obtuse or acute, mucronate, the base cordiform, the margins crenulate; upper surface pubescent, dull, with the venation flat; lower surface tomentose, with prominent venation; petioles 8-10 mm long, tomentose, almost cylindrical. Flowers bisexual, in groups of 4-5 flowers, in axillary racemes or terminal panicles, the racemes 15-22 cm long, the axes densely pubescent with septate trichomes, the distal portion of the axis twisting like a tendril; pedicels 1.5-2 cm, articulated near the middle, the basal portion persistent, sometimes twisted like a tendril. Perianth pink, in two unequal series, the outer ones circular, 2.6-3.2 cm long, the base sagittate, with overlapping sinuses, the inner ones ca. 1.5 cm long, ovate; staminal column ca. 2 mm long. Achene ellipsoid, ca. 1.2 cm long.

Phenology: Collected in flower during November.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and spontaneous (according to Liogier, 1985).
less ↑

Melothria pendula L., Sp. Pl. 35. 1753.

Fig. 86. A-F

Synonyms: Bryonia guadalupensis Spreng.

Melothria guadalupensis (Spreng.) Cogn.

Herbaceous vine, much branched, which climbs by tendrils, attaining 1-2 (4) m in length. Stems slender, 2-3 mm in diameter, green, slightly striate, puberulous and with some minute hairs; tendrils axillary, simple, filiform, 6-9 cm long. Leaves alternate; blades ovate or 3-5-lobed, membranaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, mucronate, the base lyrate or cordiform, the margins crenate, repand, or denticulate; upper surface green, shiny, scabrid, with the venation flat; lower surface light green, dull, scabrid, with the venation slightly prominent; petioles shorter than the blade, sulcate. Staminate and pistillate flowers in the same raceme; peduncles 2-3 cm long. Calyx yellowish green, campanulate, ca. 5 mm long; corolla pale yellow, campanulate, ca. 5 mm long, with 5 deep lobes; stamens subsessile, adnate to the corolla tube, the anthers free, the pistil with an annular disc at the base. Berry ovoid, smooth, 1.5-1.8 cm long, olive green when ripe; seeds numerous, elliptical or ovate, ca. 5 mm long, not arillate.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2413; 5430; Britton, N.L. 1668; 2062; Goll, G.P. 180; 327; 328; 351; 608; 873; 874; Kuntze, C.E.O. 376; Sintenis, P. 897; Stevenson, J.A. 1797; Underwood, L.M. 35; 207; 349.
less ↑

Pereskia aculeata Miller, Gard. Dict. ed. 8. 1768.

Fig. 55. A-E

Clambering shrub or liana attaining 15 m in length, much branched from a woody base. Stems woody, dark brown, cylindrical, without ribs, 2-3 cm in diameter, with numerous areoles; spines dimorphic, up to 1.5 cm long, usually deciduous; branches scandent or pendulous. Leaves alternate, persistent; blades 4-7 × 1.5-5 cm, lanceolate, ovate, or oblong, fleshy, glabrous, the apex shortacuminate, the base cuneate or rounded, the margins entire; upper and lower surface glabrous; petioles 3-7 mm long, with a pair of stipular spines, recurved at the base. Flowers few, in terminal racemes; hypanthium crateriform, with several bracteoles and areoles with acicular spines. Tepals white, 2.5-3 cm long; stamens numerous, in two series, yellow; ovary inferior. Berry yellow or orange, globose, ca. 2 cm in diameter, with several bracteoles and persistent spines; seeds few, 4-5 mm wide, lenticular or rounded, dark brown.

Phenology: Collected in flower in October and in fruit in January and February.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 4267; Gregory 209; Shafer, J.A. 2563.
less ↑

Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sarg., Silva 7: 64. 1895.

Fig. 157. A-G

Basionym: Rhamnus iguanaeus Jacq.

Synonyms: Momisia iguanaea (Jacq.) Rose & Standl.

Celtis aculeata Sw.

Scandent shrub or liana that climbs by means of short lateral branches with recurved spines, attainig 3-10(20) m in length. Stems glabrous or puberulent at the extremities, cylindrical, attaining 8 cm in diameter; bark grayish or light brown, with numerous lenticels. Leaves alternate, 4-15 × 2.5-8.7 cm, chartaceous, ovate, oblong, or sometimes obovate, the apex short-acuminate or sometimes obtuse, the base rounded, cordiform, or truncate, the margins entire, crenate, or sparsely serrate; upper surface yellowish green, dull, glabrous or puberulent, punctate, with three main veins, sunken; lower surface yellowish green, dull, glabrous, the venation prominent, with small tufts of hairs in the axils of the secondary veins; petioles 2-15 mm long. Flowers unisexual or bisexual, the staminate flowers in branched axillary cymes, the pistillate or bisexual flowers in simple axillary cymes. Calyx of discrete sepals, oblong, concave, ciliate, 1-2 mm long; stamens 5, ascendent; ovary ovoid, with two pubescent styles. Drupe fleshy, ovoid or almost globose, 6-10(14) mm long, orange, with persistent styles.

Phenology: Flowering from February to May and fruiting from May to September.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 635; 2021; 2361; 2691; 3237; 3815; 5150; 6980; 7237.
less ↑

Mansoa hymenaea (Dc.) A. H. Gentry, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 66: 782. 1979.

Fig. 45. D-G

Basionym: Bignonia hymenaea Dc.

Woody vine, with a strong odor of garlic, which climbs by tendrils, 3-5 m in length. Young stems angular to subcylindrical, striate, puberulous to glabrous; mature stems cylindrical, lenticellate; cross section with a cross of four arms, formed by the phloem tissue; nodes slightly compressed, with a glandular interpetiolar zone; pseudostipules keeled, 2-3 mm long. Leaves opposite, 2-foliolate, with a terminal trifid tendril, early deciduous; leaflets 6-10 × 2.5-6 cm, elliptical or ovate, chartaceous, the apex acute, obtuse, or acuminate, the base acute, obtuse, or rounded, sometimes unequal, the margins undulate; upper surface dull, glabrous, with the venation slightly prominent; lower surface light green, dull, sparsely punctate-glandular, without glands in the axils of the secondary veins, the venation slightly prominent; petioles and petiolules puberulous; petioles 1.3-3.5 cm long, the petiolules slightly keeled by the decurrent base of the blade, 1-2.6 cm long. Flowers few in axillary racemes, 5-20 cm long; peduncles keeled. Calyx green, campanulate, puberulous, 8-9 mm long, truncate or denticulate, ciliate and with a purple tinge at the apex; corolla violet-pink or lavender, infundibuliform, 4.5-6.5 cm long, the tube lighter than the lobes, the limb 2.5-4 cm in diameter, with 5 rounded lobes; stamens inserted; ovary cylindrical, lepidote. Capsule linear, longacuminate, compressed, coriaceous, light brown, 15-25 × 1.7-2 cm, with a longitudinal vein in the middle portion of each of the valves; seeds numerous, 2-winged, oblong, membranaceous, ca. 3.3 cm long.

Phenology: Flowering from December to May and fruiting from January to May.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7215; 10180; 10183.
less ↑

Clerodendrum × speciosum Dombrain, Flor. Mag. 8, pl. 432. 1869.

Fig. 160. E-G

Synonyms: Clerodendrum thomsonae f. speciosum (Dombrain) Voss

Clerodendrum umbellatum var. speciosum (Dombrain) Moldenke

Slightly woody vine, twining, attainig 3 m in length. Stems obtusely quadrangular, striate, minutely puberulent; stipules absent. Leaves opposite, 7.5-15.5 × 5.7-8 cm, elliptical or ovate, chartaceous, the apex acuminate, the base rounded or cordiform, the margins entire or remotely sinuate; upper surface glabrous; lower surface glabrous, pale green, with numerous dots, the veins prominent and minutely puberulent; petioles 1-2 cm long, sulcate, puberulent. Inflorescences of axillary dichasial cymes; bracts minute, subulate. Calyx more or less urceolate, 1.0-1.5 cm long, intense pink to purple, puberulent, the sepals lanceolate, connate at the base, acuminate at the apex; corolla red or red-orange, hypocrateriform, 2.5-3 cm long, the tube quite narrow, the lobes rounded; filaments pink, twice as long as the corolla; style pink, as long as the filaments. Fruit unknown.

Phenology: Collected in flower from September to February.

Status: Exotic, cultivated, persistent and naturalized in some localities in Puerto Rico.

Commentary: Discrepancies exist regarding the nature of this taxon. Originally (1869), it was described as a hybrid under the name of C. x speciosum. Later, Voss (1894) considered this taxon as a form of C. thomsonae and Moldenke (1937) as a variety of C. umbellatum Poir. Moldenke, in 1983, changed his opinion, recognizing it as a form of C. thomsonae, but pointed out that the studies necessary to discard its hybrid nature do not yet exist. Due to the fact that the nature of this taxon has not been established with certainty, it seems to me appropriate to utilize the name of C. x speciosum, this being the most widely used name.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 9413.
less ↑

Metastelma anegadense Britton, Bot. Porto Rico. 6: 97. 1925.

Fig. 30. A-D

Synonym: Cynanchum anegadense (Britton) Alain

Herbaceous vine, twining, glabrous, attaining 1 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems with branches that intertwine like a braid; branches green, cylindrical, smooth, < 1 mm in diameter. Leaves perennial, opposite, usually clustered on short lateral branches; blades 1-3.5 × 0.2-0.8 cm, oblong to oblanceolate, coriaceous, the apex rounded to apiculate, the base acute, the margins entire, revolute; upper surface dull, with the midvein sunken, without glands at the union with the petiole; lower surface pale, with a prominent midvein, the secondary veins not visible; petioles 2-3 mm long; stipules interpetiolar, triangular, 0.5 mm long. Flowers few, in sessile cymes. Calyx green, crateriform, the sepals ovate-lanceolate, ca. 1 mm long; corolla yellowish, the lobes lanceolate, acuminate, 2-4 mm long, puberulous toward the apex, strigose in the center on the inner surface; corona with spiniform lobes, ca. 0.5 mm long; gynostegium short-stipitate, ca. 0.7 mm long. Follicles fusiform, 4-5 cm long, glabrous; seeds numerous, light brown, ca. 4 mm long, elliptical, with a tuft of long hairs at the apex.

Phenology: Collected in flower in January, February, and July and in fruit in June.

Status: Endemic to Anegada and Tortola, uncommon.

Commentary: This species was cited by Woodbury et al. (1977) and by Liogier and Martorell (1982) for Mona Island based on the erroneous identification of Metastelma monense.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 10964; 11054. DArcy, W.G. 4809.
less ↑

Solandra grandiflora Sw., Königl. Vet. Acad. Handl. 8: 300, t. 11. 1787.

Fig. 157. G-H

Woody vine, attainig 8-10 m in length. Stems cylindrical, glabrous, with numerous short lateral branches; bark gray, rugose in dried specimens, slightly lenticellate. Leaves alternate or congested at the end of short lateral branches, 6.5-14 × 3.2-7.3 cm, obovate, spathulate, or broadly elliptical, glabrous, coriaceous, the apex almost rounded, projecting in a short acumen, the base attenuate, the margins revolute, entire; upper surface shiny, with the venation flat; lower surface light green, with prominent venation; petioles glabrous, slender, 2-5.5 cm long. Flowers solitary, at the end of short lateral branches, pedicels glabrous, thick, not distinguishable from the calyx. Calyx green, tubular-campanulate, glabrous, 4-10 cm long, inflated-angular; corolla cyathiform, 14-23 cm long, greenish white or yellow, with several marron lines inside, the tubular portion shorter than or as long as the dilated portion, the limb with 5 sinuate lobes, more or less revolute; stamens as long as the corolla. Berry coriaceouswoody, depressed-ovoid, ca. 3 cm long, with the calyx split and persistent at the base.

Phenology: Collected in flower from October to December.

Status: Apparently exotic, cultivated and naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Liogier, A.H. 35677; Sintenis, P. 364.
less ↑

Gouania lupuloides (L.) Urb., Symb. Antill. 4: 378. 1910.

Fig. 144. A-H

Basionym: Banisteria lupuloides L.

Synonym: Rhamnus domingensis Jacq.

Gouania domingensis (Jacq.) L.

Woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 7-12 m in length. Stems with many lateral branches; bark grayish, fissured. Branches cylindrical, green, glabrous or puberulent; tendrils simple, semicircular in form, basal to the inflorescences or terminal on short lateral branches. Leaves alternate, 4.5-7.5(10.5) × 2-4(6.5) cm, chartaceous, ovate or elliptical, glabrous or puberulent, the apex acute or short-acuminate, the base rounded or subcordiform, the margins serrate; upper surface dark green, shiny, with the venation sunken; lower surface pale green, slightly shiny, with prominent venation; petioles 0.5-1.5 cm; stipules 2-3 mm long. Inflorescences of racemes, terminal or on short axillary branches, 5-10 cm long, pubescent. Calyx pubescent outside, the sepals ca. 1 mm long, triangular, glabrous on the inner surface; petals yellowish, ca. 1 mm long, forming a hood that covers the stamen; stamens slightly shorter than the petals; disc ca. 1 mm high. Fruit a threewinged schizocarp, 5-7 mm long, dehiscent into 3 trigonal mericarps. Seeds 3-4 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering from August to March and fruiting from November to March.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2295; 3812; 7011; 7087; Goll, G.P. 230; 386; 582; Heller, A.A. 6104; Liogier, A.H. 10346; Shafer, J.A. 2356; 2860; Sintenis, P. 200; 1261; 1960; 2924; 5508; 5550; Stevenson, J.A. 385; 697.
less ↑

Pisonia aculeata L., Sp. Pl. 1026. 1753.

Fig. 1A; 128. G-M

Synonym:Pisonia helleri Standl.

Liana or woody, clambering shrub, attainig 20 m in length. Stems more or less cylindrical, glabrous or minutely pubescent, grayish or creamcolored, lenticellate, attaining 7 cm in diameter; cross section of the stem with discrete vascular bundles within the connective tissue. Branches short or elongate; short branches opposite, divaricate, persistent, with recurved spines, produced on the trunk; elongate branches at the end of the stem, glabrescent, quadrangular, with recurved axillary spines. Leaves opposite on the elongate branches or whorled on the short lateral branches, 6-14 × 3-6 cm, chartaceous, elliptical, ovate, oblong, or suborbicular, the apex acute, obtuse, rounded, or short-acuminate, the base obtuse, unequal or rounded, the margins crenulate; upper surface glabrous, dark green, shiny, with the midvein slightly prominent; lower surface pale green, shiny, glabrous or sometimes pubescent, with the midvein prominent; petioles slender, 1-3 cm long. Inflorescences of small axillary cymes, with minute sessile flowers. Staminate flowers campanulate, 2.5-3 mm long, yellowish, pubescent outside; stamen exserted, the filaments twice as long as the perianth. Pistillate flowers ca. 2.5 mm long, almost tubular, tomentose; stigma exserted, branched. Anthocarp ellipsoid or claviform, obtusely 5-angular, 10-12 mm long, tomentose, with one or two lines of stipitate glands in each of the angles.

Phenology: Flowering from December to June and fruiting from February to August.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 548; 4209; 4737; 7221; 10651; 11480; Liogier, A.H. 35979; Shafer, J.A. 2572; Sintenis, P. 672; Underwood, L.M. 561.
less ↑

Passiflora maliformis L., Sp. Pl. 956. 1753.

Fig. 134. A-B

Woody vine, glabrous or finely pilose, attainig 2-5(15) m in length and climbs by means of axillary tendrils. Stems subangular, cylindrical when mature, up to 2.5 cm in diameter. Leaves alternate, glabrous, chartaceous, 6-12 × 4-10 cm, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, not lobate, the apex acute, acuminate, or less frequently rounded, the base truncate to almost cordiform, the margins entire or undulate; venation pinnate, but the two basal secondary veins extending beyond the middle of the blade, prominent on both surfaces, especially on the lower surface; petioles 1.5-5 cm long, with a pair of subsessile glands above the middle; stipules linear, 9-15 mm long, not glandular; tendrils simple. Flowers solitary, axillary, subtended by a persistent involucre of 3 ovate bracts, green, 4-6 cm long, connate at the base; peduncles 3-7 cm long. Calyx campanulate, the tube ca. 1 cm long, the sepals oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 3-4 cm long, green, with a dorsal keel that projects beyond the apex; petals linear-lanceolate, green, with numerous violet dots on the inner surface, ca. 3 cm long; corona multiseriate, the 2 outer series of filiform segments, with violet bands, the inner series tuberculate; stamens 5; ovary oblong or subglobose, glabrous, the stigmas capitate. Fruit a crustaceous berry, globose, 3.5-4 cm in diameter, green, with the involucre not persistent. Seeds numerous, oblong-obcordate, 5-6 mm long, reticulate.

Phenology: Collected in flower in February and March and in fruit in June.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Sintenis, P. 1166; 6560.
less ↑

Basella alba L., Sp. Pl. 272. 1753.

Fig. 42. K-N

Synonym: Basella rubra L.

Twining vine, climbing or creeping, herbaceous, glabrous, attaining 10 m in length. Stems somewhat succulent, cylindrical, usually with a reddish to purple tonality, up to 2.5 cm in diameter. Leaves alternate; blades 3-15 × 1.2-14 cm, green, reddish, or purple, ovate, orbicular, or oblong, fleshy, the apex obtuse, rounded, or acute, the base acute, subtruncate, rounded, or cordiform, decurrent on the petiole, the margins entire, undulate, usually reddish or purple; upper surface dull, with slightly conspicuous venation; lower surface dull, with slightly prominent venation; petioles green or reddish, 0.5-5 cm long, slightly winged. Flowers arranged in simple or branched spikes, axillary, erect, 15-25 cm long. Calyx white or with a reddish tinge, the sepals 2, ovate or elliptical, 3.2-4 mm long; corolla fleshy, white, with a reddish or violet tinge toward the apex, 3.3-4.1 mm long. Utricles purple, fleshy, 4-lobate, 4-5 mm long, covered by the accrescent corolla, 5-7 mm long.

Phenology: Collected in flower and fruit from August to March.

Status: Exotic, widely cultivated as a vegetable, because its leaves are edible, like spinach.
less ↑

Ficus citrifolia Miller, Gard. Dict. ed. 8. 1768.

Fig. 127. A-C

Terrestrial or strangling (epiphytic) tree attainig 10 m in height, or less frequently a liana attainig 10 m in length, producing abundant milky latex. When it grows as a liana its branches are pendulous or scandent, the stems cylindrical, attaining 10 cm in diameter. Leaves alternate, 4-20 × 2-12 cm, elliptical, ovate, elliptic-lanceolate, or less frequently oblanceolate, chartaceous or subcoriaceous, glabrous, the apex obtuse or acuminate, the base obtuse, cordiform, or truncate, the margins entire; upper surface with slightly prominent venation; lower surface with the reticulate venation prominent; petioles 1-7 cm long, glabrous, canaliculate; stipules conical, glabrous, with a reddish tinge. Syconium globose, depressed-globose, or obovoid, 6-12 mm long, greenish yellow, with reddish spots, turning red when ripe; peduncles 4-8 mm long.

Phenology: Collected in fertile condition during August.

Status: Native, rather common.

Commentary: The lianescent form of this species grows on the tops and sides of mogotes and produces long stems that hang down and reach the base of the mogotes. Once the stems have reached the base of the mogotes, they become creeping or scandent. It is possible that this growth form results from the etiolation of the stems due to the low light intensity, and that it does not constitute a fixed characteristic for this species. Nevertheless, this phenomenon has been observed rather frequently, which justifies the inclusion of this species in the present work.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 10635.
less ↑

Clematis dioica L., Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 1084. 1759.

Fig. 143. J

Slightly woody vine, dioecious, that climbs by means of twining leaves and attains 3-10 m in length. Stems slender, sulcate, glabrous, almost cylindrical, with many lateral branches. Leaves opposite, trifoliolate; leaflets coriaceous, ovate or cordiform, 5-9 × 2-7 cm, the apex acute or shortacuminate, the base subcordiform or rounded, the margins entire, sometimes with 1-2 teeth; upper surface shiny, glabrous; lower surface pale green, dull, glabrous or puberulent toward the base, with slightly prominent venation; petiolules more or less glabrous, the terminal one 1.5-3 cm long, the lateral ones 0.7-2.5 cm long; petioles 3-7 cm long, glabrous. Inflorescences axillary or terminal on short lateral branches; flowers unisexual, in dichasial cymes; pedicels 1.2-4 cm long, with a pair of minute bracteoles below the middle. Sepals white or cream-colored, oblanceolate or obovate, 4-10 mm long, more or less glabrous except for the lanate-pubescent margins; stamens 30-50, unequal; carpels 15-25, ca. 6 mm long. Fruit an ellipsoid achene, slightly compressed, 3-4 mm long, pilose, the margin not thickened, the style plumose, persistent, 2-6 cm long, dispersed by the wind.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from October to February.

Status: Native, rare.

Selected Specimens Examined: Sintenis, P. 5843.
less ↑

Cissampelos pareira L., Sp. Pl. 1031. 1753.

Fig. 125. A-J

Dioecious vine, slightly woody, twining, attainig 3-6 m in length. Stems slender, cylindrical, glabrous or pilose. Leaves alternate, chartaceous, broadly ovate to almost circular, 4-12 × 4-10 cm, the apex rounded, obtuse, emarginate, usually mucronate, the base cordiform, subtruncate, usually peltate; upper surface glabrous, yellowish green or grayish, dull; lower surface pale green, almost whitish, sparsely or densely pubescent, with the venation palmate, prominent, the margin revolute, crenate; petioles cylindrical, pubescent, 2-7 cm long, with the base swollen. Inflorescences of axillary cymes or cauliflorous; bracts of the pistillate inflorescences foliaceous, ovate, pilose. Flowers 1-1.5 mm long, greenish. Calyx pilose. Drupe globose, redorange, 4-5 mm in diameter, fleshy, partially covered by a bract. Seed horseshoe-shaped.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 826; 1868; 2219; 2439; 3126; 5343; 7090; 11312; Axelrod, F. 6003; Britton, N.L. 126; 667; Heller, A.A. 332; 1283; Otero, J. 564; Sargent, F.H. 223; Shafer, J.A. 2482; 3255; Sintenis, P. 326; 5186; 5354; Stevenson, J.A. 259; 435; 1971; Underwood, L.M. 305; 321; 350; 357; Wilson, P. 282.
less ↑

Paullinia pinnata L., Sp. Pl. 366. 1753.

Fig. 150. I-O

Woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 6-10 m in length. Stems obtuse, 3-5-angular, glabrous or pubescent on the young portions, glabrescent when mature, up to 6 cm in diameter and producing scarce milky latex when cut; bark smooth, light brown; cross section with a central vascular cylinder and 2 or 3 peripheral vascular cylinders, smaller than the central one. Leaves alternate, pinnately 5-foliolate; leaflets coriaceous, 5-16 × 2.2-6 cm (the distal leaflet larger), elliptical, ovate, or lanceolate, the apex acute, the base attenuate or acute on the terminal leaflet and obtuse or rounded and sometimes asymmetrical on the lateral ones, the margins deeply serrate; upper surface glabrous or puberulent along the midvein, green, shiny, with slightly prominent venation; lower surface glabrous or puberulent along the midvein, green, dull, the venation prominent, with a tuft of hairs in the axils of the secondary veins; rachis and petioles broadly winged; stipules subulate, ca. 5 mm long; tendrils in pairs, spirally twisted, at the end of short axillary axes, from which an inflorescence usually develops. Flowers zygomorphic, in axillary racemiform thyrses; axis of the inflorescence tomentose. Calyx light green, puberulent, of 5 sepals, the two outer ones ca. 2 mm long, the inner ones 4-5 mm long; petals white, obovate, 4-5 mm long; petaliferous appendages slightly shorter than the petals, fleshy and yellow at the apex, forming a hood that encloses the glands of the disc; disc unilateral, with 4 rounded to ovoid glands. Capsule pyriform, not winged, red, 1.5-3 cm long. Seeds 12-15 mm long, ellipsoid, with a white aril, covering the base and more than half of the two sides.

Phenology: Flowering from April to November and fruiting from October to July.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 304; 1090; 3073; 6230; 6957; 6961; 7125; 9451; 11442; Boom, B. 7997; Britton, N.L. 1525; Eggers, B. 716; Goll, G.P. 369; Heller, A.A. 1223; Sargent, F.H. 431; Shafer, J.A. 2905; 3404; Sintenis, P. 188; 1532; Underwood, L.M. 354; 469; 993.
less ↑

Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl., Field Mus. Bot. 3: 435. 1930.

Fig. 84. G-K

Basionym: Cucurbita siceraria Molina

Synonym: Lagenaria vulgaris Ser.

Herbaceous vine, monoecious, which climbs by tendrils, 5-10 m in length. Stems herbaceous, puberulous or densely pubescent, striate; tendrils axillary, bifid. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 6-15 × 7-22 cm, ovate or pentagonal, angular or lobed, chartaceous, the apex apiculate, the base cordiform, the margins sinuate-dentate; both surfaces puberulous; petioles elongate, with a pair of lateral glands, corniculate where they are joined to the blade; stipules absent. Flowers white, nocturnal, unisexual, actinomorphic, usually solitary, axillary; staminate flowers larger than the pistillate flowers; peduncles longer than the accompanying petiole in the staminate flowers or as long as the petiole in the pistillate flowers. Calyx infundibuliform to campanulate, with 5 triangular to linear lobes, 3-4 mm long; corolla yellow, of free petals, expanded, 2-4 cm long, obovate to oblong-ovate, with the apex apiculate and emarginate; stamens 3, the filaments free, inserted on the base of the floral receptacle, the anthers concrescent; hypanthium < 1 cm long; ovary inferior, tricarpellate, ovoid to cylindrical, tomentose, with numerous horizontal ovules, the style short, the stigmas trilobate. Fruit a berry, very variable in form, 20-35 cm long, the pericarp woody, smooth, glabrous; seeds numerous, ovateoblong, ca. 1.5 cm long, not arillate.

Phenology: Collected in flower and fruit in September.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 11421; Britton, N.L. 10101; Goll, G.P. 454; 974; Sintenis, P. 1922.
less ↑

Aristolochia grandiflora Sw., Prodr. 126. 1788.

Fig. 23. A-C

Woody vine, twining, glabrescent, 5-7 m in length. Stems cylindrical. Leaves alternate; blades 6-20 × 6-16 cm, ovate or broadly ovate, chartaceous, the venation semi-palmate (with three main veins), the apex acute or acuminate, the base cordiform-sagittate, the margins undulate; upper surface glabrous, dull; lower surface with prominent venation, glaucous, puberulent; petioles 5-11 cm long, glabrous; pseudostipules absent. Flowers solitary, pendulous; peduncle 12-23 cm long; utricle asymmetrically obovoid, 6-12 × 2-3.5 cm, the tube 8-13 cm long, curved, broadened toward the apex; limb peltate, obovate to elliptical, 12-31 cm in diameter, cream-colored with a cardinal red reticulum, the apex cordate, the base with an appendage or tail, 7-150 cm long, the throat cardinal red. Capsule more or less cylindrical, with 5 longitudinal ribs, 13-15.5 cm long; seeds membranaceous, broadly ovate, 1-1.3 cm long.

Phenology: Collected in flower in December, February, April, May, and August and in fruit in April.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and escaped from cultivation, uncommon.
less ↑

Aristolochia odoratissima L., Sp. Pl. ed. 2, 1362. 1763.

Fig. 24. A-B

Synonym: Aristolochia pandurata Jacq.Woody vine, twining, attaining 5 m in length. Stems cylindrical, glabrous, smooth. Leaves alternate; blades 6.5-11 × 3.5-6 cm, lanceolate, hastate, or less frequently ovate, chartaceous or coriaceous, the venation palmate, the apex acuminate, the base deeply cordate, the margins entire; upper surface dull, glabrous; lower surface puberulous, the venation not prominent; petioles 1-3.5 cm long; pseudostipules inconspicuous or ovate, up to 1.5 cm long. Flowers solitary, yellowish with a cardinal red reticulum; peduncle ca. 3 cm long; utricle obovoid, ca. 1 × 0.5 cm; tube slightly curved, 0.7-1.7 cm long, almost forming a right angle with the utricle; limb 4-6 cm in diameter. Capsule curved, 7-10 cm long, subcylindrical, with 5 longitudinal ribs, the apex and base acute; seeds numerous, membranaceous, triangular, ca. 3 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Apparently exotic, naturalized on St. John; uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 4098.
less ↑

Aristolochia ringens Vahl, Symb. Bot. 3: 99. 1794.

Fig. 24. C-F

Synonyms: Aristolochia grandiflora sensu Vahl, non Sw.Aristolochia galeata sensu authors, non Mart. & Zucc.

Slightly woody vine, twining, attaining 5 m in length. Stems cylindrical, slender, glabrous, with the pith hollow. Leaves alternate; blades 5-16 × 6-18 cm, broadly ovate, reniform or orbicular, chartaceous, with prominently reticulate venation, the apex obtuse or rounded, the base deeply cordate, the margins entire; upper surface dark green, dull; lower surface glaucous, glabrous, with numerous scattered dots; petioles 3-11 cm long, sulcate or compressed, broadened at the base; pseudostipules foliaceous, ovate-rounded, 2.5-5 cm long. Flowers solitary, pendulous; peduncle 7.5-17 cm long; utricle obovoid, 5-7 × 2.5-4 cm, the tube straight, 3-4 cm long, almost forming a right angle with the utricle; limb bilabiate, yellowish with a cardinal red reticulum, the upper lip spathulate, 6-9 cm long, the lower lip lanceolate, 10-15 cm long. Capsule 6-11 cm long, oblong or oblanceolate, with 6 ribs, the apex mucronate, the base acute; seeds numerous, rhomboid, winged, 7-15 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Exotic, uncommon, cultivated and escaped.
less ↑

Aristolochia elegans Mast, Gard. Chron. Ii, 24: 301. 1885.

Fig. 22. A-F

Synonym: Aristolochia littoralis sensu Pfeifer, non Parodi

Woody vine, twining, attaining 7 m in length. Stems glabrous, cylindrical. Leaves alternate; blades 7-9 × 6-10 cm, reniform or broadly ovate, chartaceous, the venation palmate, the apex obtuse or rounded, the base cordiform, the margins entire; upper surface glabrous, shiny; lower surface with prominent venation, glaucous; petioles 1-3 cm long, glabrous; pseudostipules reniform, 1-1.5 cm long. Flowers solitary, pendulous; peduncle ca. 5 cm long; utricle ellipsoid-cylindrical, ca. 3 cm long, the tube 2.5-3.5 cm long, curved at the base, ascending, the limb asymmetrically peltate, crateriform, the lower margin retuse, 5-7 cm in diameter, light green or cream-colored with a cardinal red reticulum. Capsule cylindrical with 5 longitudinal ribs, 5-6 cm long; seeds membranaceous, triangular or ovate, 6-7 mm long.

Phenology: Collected in flower in February and March and in fruit in February.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P.4136.
less ↑

Aristolochia trilobata L., Sp. Pl. 960. 1753.

Fig. 22. G-H

Slightly woody vine, twining, 3-5 m in length. Stems slender, shiny, cylindrical, glabrous, pink on the younger portions. Leaves alternate; blades trilobed, 8-14 × 10-16 cm, coriaceous, the lobes shallow to quite deep, the apex rounded or obtuse, the base subcordiform or truncate, the margins entire or sinuate; upper surface dark green, shiny, glabrous, with palmate venation, somewhat sunken and yellowish; lower surface pale green, puberulous, the venation reticulate, prominent and puberulous; petioles robust, cylindrical, 2-4.5 cm long, glabrous, dilated at the base; pseudostipules rounded or reniform, 1-1.5 cm long, covering the stem. Flowers solitary, pendulous; peduncle up to 7 cm long; utricle ellipsoid, 2.5-4 cm long; tube straight, 4.5-7.5 cm long, ascending, forming an angle of 50° to 60° with the utricle; limb unilobed, greenish yellow with dark violet spots, the upper lobe with a caudate appendage, 10-31 cm long, ascending-arcuate. Capsules oblong, 6-8 cm long, with 6 longitudinal ribs; seeds numerous, membranaceous, triangular, ca. 7 mm long, compressed.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting almost throughout the year.

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2215; 2217; 2431; 4214; 5080; 6993; Britton, N.L. 5517; Shafer, J.A. 3808; Sintenis, P. 812.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 183; 315; 330; 2184; 7129; 9330; 9488; 11835; Axelrod, F. 9492; Sargent, F.H. 362; Sintenis, P. 1417; Stevenson, J.A. 3458; Proctor, G.R. 45653; 46291; 48067; 50442.
less ↑

Thunbergia grandiflora (Roxb. ex Rottler) Roxb., Hort. Geng. 45. 1814.

Fig. 15. A-F

Basionym: Flemingia grandiflora Roxb. ex Rottler

Woody vine, twining, 10-15 m in length. Stems cylindrical, up to 2.5 cm in diameter, striate, puberulous; cross section of the stem with the pith hollow and the xylem tissue with wide rays. Leaves opposite; blades 15-26 × 13-30 cm, ovate or broadly ovate, chartaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base cordiform or subcordiform, the margins lobate-dentate, ciliate; upper surface dark green, shiny, puberulous, with slightly prominent venation; lower surface light green, ull, glabrous or puberulous, with prominent venation; petioles 6-12 cm long, sulcate. Flowers arranged in axillary cymes; pedicels robust, cylindrical, 4-6 cm long; bracts light green, membranaceous, ovate, ca. 4 cm long, covering the calyx and the corolla tube. Calyx green, in the form of a ring, 4-5 mm long; corolla lilac or white, infundibuliform, with 5 lobes, the tube 6-7 cm long, light yellow inside, narrow at the base, the limb 6-7 cm in diameter. Capsule ca. 3 cm long, subglobose at the base, the upper half in the form of a beak, dehiscent in two halves.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year and fruiting sporadically from May to July.

Status: Exotic, very aggressive, widely cultivated and naturalized in Puerto Rico.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7049; 9350; 9418.
less ↑

Peperomia rotundifolia (L.) Kunth in Humb. Bonpl. & Kunth, Nov. Gen. Sp. (quarto ed.) 1: 65. 1815.

Fig. 139. A-D

Basionym: Piper rotundifolium L.

Epiphytic herb, ascending by means of small aerial roots, attainig 1-3 m in length. Stems cylindrical, brittle, pubescent, ca. 1 mm in diameter, with numerous lateral branchlets. Leaves alternate, fleshy when fresh, aromatic, membranaceous on drying, 5-11 mm long, elliptical, obovate, or almost circular, the apex rounded, the base obtuse or almost rounded, the margins entire, markedly revolute, ciliate; upper surface dark green, glabrous, puberulent, or minutely strigulose, with dark dots; lower surface concave, pale green, glabrous or puberulent, with dark dots; petioles thin, 1-5 mm long, with minute dark dots. Inflorescences of terminal spikes, 1-2.5 cm long, produced on the lateral branchlets.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year.

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Eggers, B. 1153; Sargent, F.H. 411; 3294; Sintenis, P. 469; 1669.
less ↑

Cassytha filiformis L., Sp. Pl. 35. 1753.

Fig. 120. A-F

Synonym: Cassytha americana Nees

Herbaceous vine, twining, parasitic, that adheres to the host plant by means of small haustoria, attainig 1-5 m in length. Stems yellowish green or yellow, flexible, ca. 2 mm in diameter, cylindrical, profusely branched. Leaves 1-2 mm long, lanceolate, sessile, almost imperceptible or absent. Inflorescences of short spikes with few flowers. Tepals white, ovate, ca. 2 mm wide. Fruit globose, light green or white, 5-7 mm in diameter.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 4372; 5299; 6169; 9301; Britton, N.L. 1896; Fosberg, F.R. 52288; Heller, A.A. 330; Little, E.L. 21671; Shafer, J.A. 2892; 2920; Sintenis, P. 625; 3325; 5675; Stevenson, J.A. 1723; Underwood, L.M. 931.
less ↑

Agdestis clematidea Moçiño & Sessé ex Dc., Syst. Nat. 1: 543. 1818.

Fig. 138. A-C

Twining vine, herbaceous, attainig 15 m in length. Stems angular, reddish, striate, puberulent. Leaves with a strong, disagreeable odor, alternate, chartaceous, ovate or broadly ovate, 3-9 × 3-7.5 cm, the apex obtuse or short-acuminate, mucronate, the base deeply cordiform or hastate, the margins crenulate; upper surface dark green, dull, with minute dots; lower surface light green, dull, puberulent, with prominent venation; petioles 1.5-9 cm long, with a reddish tinge, sulcate; stipules absent. Flowers bisexual, white, in axillary panicles, 6-17 cm long; peduncles glabrous or puberulent; pedicels 1-2 mm long, with a minute green bracteole, lanceolate, at the base. Sepals 4, white, 3-5 mm long, oblong or oblanceolate, with the parallel venation conspicuous; petals absent; stamens 13-20; ovary partially inferior, the style conical, with 4 recurved stigmatic branches; ovule solitary. Fruits coriaceous, indehiscent, turbinate, ca. 3 mm long, with the sepals persistent at the base. Seeds elliptical.

Phenology: Flowering from May to December.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized (according to Liogier, 1985), uncommon.
less ↑

Anredera vesicaria (Lam.) C.F. Gaertn, Suppl. Carp. 176, t. 213. 1807.

Fig. 42. A-G

Basionym: Basella vesicaria Lam.

Synonyms: Boussingaultia leptostachys Moq.

Anredera leptostachys(Moq.) Steenis

Herbaceous vine, twining, attaining 15 m in length. Roots tuberous. Stems slender, glabrous, cylindrical, sometimes with a reddish tonality. Leaves alternate; blades 3-11 × 2-6.5 cm, ovate, glabrous, fleshy, the apex acute or acuminate, the base rounded, obtuse, or cordiform, the margins entire or crenate; upper surface dull, with subconspicuous venation; lower surface slightly shiny, with prominent venation; petioles 0.4-2 cm long, slightly winged. Flowers aromatic, functionally unisexual, in axillary pendulous racemes, 10-20 cm long, or in terminal pendulous panicles, 30-50 cm long; pedicels with deciduous bracts. Calyx white, of ovate sepals, ca. 0.4 mm long; corolla white, the petals ovate, 1.5-2.2 mm long, turning cream-colored or remaining white on drying; stamens 5, the filaments connate at the base, 3-4 mm long, the anthers lanceolate, 0.2-0.4 mm long; ovary glabrous, globose, stigmatic branches twice as long as the style. Utricles obovoid, slightly triangular, 1-1.3 mm long, crowned by the fleshy style.

Phenology: Flowering from September to April. The populations of this species in Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Lesser Antilles contain staminate flowers only and never produce fruits. The reproduction of this species on the islands mentioned seems to be exclusively asexual by means of underground tubers (Sperling, 1987).

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 1870; 2512 4228; Axelrod, F. 9947.
less ↑

Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis, Fl. Males., Ser. 1, 5: 303. 1957.

Fig. 42. H-J

Basionym: Boussingaultia cordifolia Ten.

Herbaceous vine, fleshy, twining, attaining 5 m in length. Roots tuberous. Stems glabrous, cylindrical, up to 2.5 cm in diameter, producing solitary or clustered bulbils. Leaves alternate; blades 2.2-10 × 1.4-6.2 cm, ovate or broadly ovate, glabrous, fleshy, the apex obtuse or acute, the base cordiform, decurrent on the petiole, the margins entire, hyaline or reddish; upper surface dull, waxy, with the venation somewhat sunken; lower surface lighter than the upper surface, with the venation slightly prominent; petioles 6-12 mm long, slightly winged. Flowers aromatic, turning blackish on drying, apparently bisexual, in terminal or axillary racemes or pendulous panicles, up to 65 cm long; pedicels with persistent bracts. Calyx of 2 white sepals, ovate or broadly elliptical, 1.3-2.2 mm long; corolla of 5 white petals, ovate or elliptical, 2-3 mm long, connate at the base; stamens 5, the filaments connate at the base, 2-3.5 mm long, the anthers lanceolate, 0.7-0.8 mm long; ovary globose or obovoid, glabrous, stigmatic branches 3, as long as the style. Utricles globose, slightly compressed or triangular, 0.9-1.1 mm long, crowned by the base of the fleshy style.

Phenology: Collected in flower in August and September. Rarely produces fruits in Puerto Rico; propagated by means of bulbils or underground tubers.

Status: Exotic, cultivated as an ornamental, naturalized, uncommon.

Commentary: This species has been identified erroneously as Anredera baselloides (Kunth) Baill. by many botanists of the Caribbean flora. Anredera baselloides is a different species, which is neither found either in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.
less ↑

Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L.) Taub in Engl. & Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 3(3): 335. 1894.

Fig. 102. A-E

Basionym: Hedysarum ecastaphyllum L.

Synonyms: Ecastaphyllum ecastaphyllum (L.) Britton

Ecastaphyllum brownei Pers.

Clambering or scandent shrub, much branched from the base, attainig 1-5 m in length. Stems cylindrical, white-pubescent. Leaves alternate, unifoliolate (exceptionally with 3-foliolate leaves on the same plant); leaflets 6-12 × 4.5-8 cm, ovate or oblong, coriaceous, the apex obtuse to acuminate, the base rounded to almost cordiform, the margins entire; upper surface dark green, dull, glabrous, with the venation sunken; lower surface light green, puberulent, with prominent venation; petioles 5-10 mm long, pubescent; stipels absent; stipules ovate to lanceolate, 4-10 mm long, whitesericeous, deciduous. Inflorescences of axillary panicles 1-4 cm long, densely ferruginoustomentose; bracts minute, deciduous. Calyx campanulate, 2.5-3.5 mm long, green, ferruginous-tomentose; corolla pink or white, the standard rounded, ca. 7 mm long, retuse, unguiculate, the wings longer than the standard. Legume 2-2.3 × 1.5-2 cm, oblong to almost circular, flattened, indehiscent, brown when ripe. Seed solitary, up to 1.7 cm long.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 805; 2039; 2041; 9310; 6996; Axelrod, F. 5012; 9511; 10902; Britton, N.L. 1712; 6824; Cowles, H.T. 219; Heller, A.A. 331; 4506; Sargent, F.H. 3006; Shafer, J.A. 2605; Sintenis, P. 131; 4862; Stevenson, J.A. 1705; 2132; Underwood, L.M. 657; 699; 700; Woodbury, R.O. s.n.
less ↑

Dalbergia monetaria L.f., Suppl. Pl. Syst. Veg. 317. 1781.

Fig. 102. F-I

Synonym: Securidaca volubilis L. pro parte

Liana with pendulous branches, which supports itself on other plants by means of short branches that entangle like tendrils, attaining 10 m or more in length. Stems flexible, cylindrical, up to 10 cm in diameter; bark light brown; branches cylindrical, pubescent on the younger portions. Leaves alternate, 3- to 5-foliolate; leaflets alternate, 5-12 × 3-7 cm, ovate or elliptical, involute, the apex acuminate, the base obtuse or rounded, the margins entire or slightly undulate, revolute; upper surface dark green, shiny, glabrous; lower surface pale green, dull, puberulent, with prominent venation; petiolules thickened, puberulent; rachis puberulent, up to 11 cm long; petioles 1.2-5 cm long, puberulent; stipules minute, ovate, caducous. Inflorescences of short, clustered, axillary racemes. Calyx campanulate, green, 2-3 mm long, puberulent; corolla white, the standard rounded, 5-10 mm long, retuse, unguiculate at the base; the wings and the keel as long as the standard. Legume circular, flattened, 3-4 cm long. Seed one.

Phenology: Flowering from February to October and fruiting from June to March.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 4715; 7174; 7700; 9329; 11384; Britton, N.L. 1528; 2130; 2422; 8094; Gregory 175; Heller, A.A. 208; 979; Little, E.L. 16423; Sargent, F.H. 635; 667; Shafer, J.A. 3377; 3381; 3468; Sintenis, P. 328; 1421; 3898; 4498; 5265; 6293; Stevenson, J.A. 1282.
less ↑

Rhynchosia phaseoloides (Sw.) Dc., Prodr. 2: 385. 1825.

Fig. 112. A-H

Basionym: Glycine phaseoloides Sw.

Synonym: Dolicholus pyramidalis sensu Britton & Wilson, non Lam.

Woody vine, twining, attainig 3-10 m in length. Stems cylindrical, sericeous, mature stems flattened like a ribbon, attaining 2.5 cm wide, glabrous. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate, chartaceous; margins entire or slightly sinuate; upper surface dark green, dull, strigulose or glabrous; lower surface pale green, lanatepubescent, with minute orange resinous dots, the venation prominent; terminal leaflet rhombic or deltate, 3.5-11.5 × 2.4-9.2 cm, the apex acuminate, the base cuneate to almost rounded; lateral leaflets asymmetrical, lanceolate-ovate, slightly smaller than the terminal leaflet, the base obtuse-rounded to cordiform; petiolules densely pubescent, 2-4 mm long; petiole densely pubescent, 4-7 cm long; stipules deciduous. Inflorescence a raceme, as long as or shorter than the leaves. Calyx green, puberulent, 3.5-4 mm long, asymmetrical, one of the lobes lanceolate, ca. 3 mm long, the rest ovate, ca. 1.5 mm long; corolla yellow, the standard 7-8 mm long, obovate, emarginate, punctate, yellow with a reddish tinge; wings oblong, unguiculate, 7-7.5 mm long, with resinous dots; ovary minutely sericeous. Legume oblong, flattened, with the margin sinuate between the seeds, with glandular dots, minutely sericeous, 1.2-2.4 × 0.8-1.2 cm, the apex short-apiculate. Seeds usually two per fruit, ellipsoid, ca. 5 mm long, shiny, the longitudinal half nearer to the hilum red, the other half black.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year.

Status: Native, not very common.

Commentary: The seeds of Abrus precatorius are apt to be confused with those of Rhynchosia phaseoloides, since both have a similar coloration. Nevertheless, in R. phaseoloides the hilum is on the red portion of the seed, while in A. precatorius the hilum is on the black portion.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 173; 220; 9365; 10202; Britton, N.L. 2138; Sintenis, P. 2837; 4491; 5858; 5923; 6623.
less ↑

Mimosa casta L., Sp. Pl. 518. 1753.

Fig. 118. E-H

Woody vine, climbing, scarcely branched, that supports itself on other plants by means of spines which are borne along the length of its stems and petioles, and attainig 1-2 m in length. Stems angular, glabrous, with numerous recurved spines. Leaves alternate, bipinnate, with a single pair of pinnae; leaflets 3-4 pairs, elliptical to oblonglanceolate, 1-3 × 0.5-1.5 cm, the apex acute, the base asymmetrical, one side attenuate, the other rounded, the margins ciliate; upper surface glabrous; lower surface sparsely sericeous, with prominent venation; petioles up to 10 cm long, with numerous recurved spines, pulvinate at the base; stipules subulate, ca. 5 mm long. Inflorescences of globose heads, axillary; peduncle 5-15 mm long. Calyx ca. 0.2 mm long, glabrous; corolla white, infundibuliform 1-2 mm long, glabrous, with 4 lobes; stamens 4, the filaments free, ca. 1 cm long. Legume flattened, oblong, 3-4 × ca. 1.2 cm, glabrous, with 4-5 articulations, the margin with recurved spines.

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

Status: Exotic, adventive, apparently a recent introduction, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 10; 11; 6203; 10830.
less ↑

Caesalpinia major (Medic.) Dandy & Exell, J. Bot. Brit. & For. 76: 180. 1938.

Fig. 95. D-F

Basionym: Bonduc majus Medic.

Synonyms: Guilandina bonduc sensu Britton & Wilson, & Urb.

Caesalpinia globerulum Bakh. f. & van Royen

Liana or scandent shrub, which attains 15 m in length. Stems cylindrical, up to 2.5 cm in diameter, densely spiny. Leaves bipinnate, paripinnate, up to 60 cm long; pinnae 3-10 pairs, opposite; leaflets 4-8 pairs per pinna, opposite, 3.5-7.7 × 2.5-3.7 cm, elliptical, ovate, or oblong, chartaceous, glabrous or puberulent, the apex obtuse or acute, mucronate, the base unequal, rounded, or one side obtuse, the margins entire, revolute, ciliate; upper surface glabrous, slightly shiny; lower surface with the midvein prominent, glabrous or puberulent; petiolules short, puberulent; petioles and rachis spiny, puberulent; stipules minute, deciduous. Flowers in axillary racemes, up to 30 cm long; rachis tomentulose, unarmed; bracts lanceolate, long-acuminate, ca. 1 cm long, deciduous. Calyx campanulate, 6-7 mm long, tomentose, the sepals reflexed, oblong. Petals yellow, 6-7 mm long, spathulate; stamens 10, the filaments unequal, shorter than the petals; ovary pubescent, the style and stigma glabrous. Legumes broadly oblong, 6-12 × 3-6 cm, sparsely spiny. Seeds ovoid or rounded, 1.5-2.5 cm long, yellow-orange.

Phenology: Unknown.

Status: Native, uncommon.
less ↑

Calopogonium coeruleum (Benth.) Sauv., Anal. Acad. Ci. Habana 5: 337. 1869.

Fig. 98. A-F

Basionym: Stenolobium coeruleum Benth.

Slightly woody vine, twining, with many lateral branches, attainig 10 m in length. Stems slender, cylindrical, villous-pubescent on the younger portions. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets chartaceous, 5-10.5 × 3-8 cm, the apex obtuse or less frequently rounded, the base of the distal leaflet cuneate, that of the lateral ones asymmetrical and obtuse-truncate, the margins undulate, revolute; upper surface dark green, dull, pubescent, especially on the sunken venation; lower surface pale green, pubescent, with the venation yellowish, prominent. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes, 12-45 cm long, with 4-5 flowers grouped on small mounds along the rachis; rachis thick, cylindrical, pubescent; pedicels ca. 5 mm long, pubescent. Calyx campanulate, 5-7 mm long, appressed-pubescent, the sepals lanceolate, 2.5-4 mm long; corolla blue, the standard ca. 1 cm long, oblanceolate. Legume tomentose, 3-8 × 0.7-1.0 cm, flattened, with the margins compressed between the seeds and the calyx persistent at the base. Seeds almost square, reddish brown, shiny, 4-5 mm wide.

Phenology: Flowering from November to February and fruiting from February to April.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 9461; Axelrod, F. 4255; Britton, N.L. 2822; Liogier, A.H. 10540; Stevenson, J.A. 6847.
less ↑

Desmodium axillare (Sw.) Dc., Prodr. 2: 333. 1825.

Fig. 103. A-C

Basionym: Hedysarum axillare Sw.

Synonyms: Meibomia axillaris (Sw.) Kuntze

Meibomia umbrosa Britton

Meibomia sintenisii (Urb.) Britton

Decumbent or scandent herb, scarcely branched from the woody base, attainig 2 m in length. Stems more or less cylindrical, producing aerial roots in the area of the nodes, pubescence mixed, of uncinate trichomes and minute, erect trichomes, glabrescent with age. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets 3-9 × 2-6.5 cm, chartaceous, the apex obtuse, acute, or acuminate, usually mucronate, the margins entire, strigose; upper surface dark green, glabrous, puberulent on the venation; lower surface grayish green, strigose, with prominent venation; distal leaflet rhombic, with the base cuneate; lateral leaflets asymmetrical, one side elliptical, the other ovate, the base obtuse or rounded; petiolules 2-5 mm long, pilose; petioles 4.5-10.5 cm long, uncinatepubescent, striate; rachis 1-6 mm long, pilose, canaliculate; stipules ovate to lanceolate, 5-10 mm long, deciduous; stipels filiform, ca. 2 mm long. Inflorescences of axillary racemes, erect, 30-45 cm long, the axis pubescent, dark brown, with flowers paired along its length; pedicels 12-17 mm long. Calyx purple, campanulate, ca. 2 mm long, pilose; corolla pink or pale violet, ca. 4 mm long. Legume uncinate-pubescent, 0.7-1(2) cm long, crenate on the ventral suture, with (1)2(3) fertile segments. Seeds ca. 3.5 mm long, oblongelliptical, light brown.

Phenology: Collected in flower and fruit from January to August.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 194; 233; 7737; 7793; 10586; 11439.
less ↑

Galactia longifolia (Jacq.) Benth., Ann. Wien. Mus. 2: 127. 1838.

Fig. 105. I-L

Basionym: Galega longifolia Jacq.

Decumbent herb, branched from the base, the branches twining in the distal portion, attaining 2 m in length. Stems slender, cylindrical, sericeous, glabrescent with age. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets 2-6.5 × 0.4-1(1.3) cm, subcoriaceous, linear, oblong or narrowly elliptical, the apex obtuse or acute, mucronate, the base rounded, the margins entire; upper surface dark green, dull, strigulose; lower surface pale green, dull, strigose to almost sericeous, with the midvein prominent, the lateral leaflets smaller than the terminal one; petioles slender, pubescent, 1-10 mm long; rachis pubescent, longer than the petiole; stipules subulate, 1.5-3 mm long; stipels subulate, ca. 1 mm long, deciduous. Inflorescences of reduced, axillary pseudoracemes, usually with a single flower; rachis 1.7-5 cm long, strigulose or glabrescent. Calyx almost campanulate, green, strigose or strigulose, 3.5-5.5 mm long, the sepals 4, elongate, lanceolate, acuminate; corolla pink to pale violet, the standard obovate, 5-7 mm long, reflexed, the wings and the keel as long as the standard. Legume 2.5-3.7 × ca. 0.4 cm, oblonglinear, flattened, slightly curved, appressedpubescent. Seeds ca. 2.8 mm long, elliptical, light brown.

Phenology: Collected in flower and fruit from March to September.

Status: Apparently native, but known from very few collections.

Selected Specimens Examined: Axelrod, F. 9753; Liogier, A, 37048.
less ↑

Barbieria pinnata (Pers.) Baill., Hist. Pl. 2: 263. 1870.

Fig. 97. E-I

Basionym: Galactia pinnata Pers.

Synonyms: Clitoria pinnata (Pers.) R.H. Sm. & G.P. Lewis

Clitoria polyphylla Poir.

Barbieria polyphylla (Poir.) Dc.

Woody vine or clambering shrub, twining, attainig 4-10 m in length. Stems slender, much branched, striate, hirsute, glabrescent, coppercolored, with some whitish lenticels. Leaves alternate, imparipinnate; leaflets 11-21, chartaceous, oblong, 2-5.5 × 1.2-2.2 cm, the apex rounded and mucronate, the base rounded or obtuse, the margins entire, ciliate; upper surface pale green, dull, with inconspicuous venation; lower surface green, silky or whitish, pubescent, with the midvein prominent, yellowish, covered with minute hairs; petiolules 1-2 mm long, ferruginous-pubescent; petioles 1-4 cm long, pilose; rachis pilose, with a pair of stipels at the base of each pair of leaflets; stipels linear, 3-5 mm long; stipules lanceolate, 5-9 mm long, pubescent, persistent. Inflorescences of axillary racemes of few distal flowers, 4-16 cm long; bracts lanceolate, pubescent, forming an involucre at the base of the calyx. Calyx tubular, reddish, striate, 2.5-3.5 cm long, with five subulate sepals, acuminate, 0.8-1 cm long, the ventral sepals slightly longer than the lateral ones; corolla red or red-orange, the standard oblong-oblanceolate, unguiculate, 5-6 cm long, the wings oblong, 9-13 mm long, the keel elliptic-oblong, 17-23 mm long; stamens 10, staminal column white, the anthers white; ovary superior, linear, 8-11 mm long, white-pubescent. Legume subsessile, oblong, flattened, laterally compressed between the seeds, 5-7 × 0.5-0.6 cm, pubescent, with the margins sinuate and the calyx persistent at the base. Seeds 4-9 per fruit, dark brown or black, oblong, 4-6 mm long.

Phenology: Collected in flower from November to January and in fruit from January to May.

Status: Native, not very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7074; Goll, G.P. 937; Sintenis, P. 151; 5710; 5942; Stevenson, J.A. 248.
less ↑

Desmodium incanum Dc., Prodr. 2: 332. 1825.

Fig. 103. D-G

Synonym: Hedysarum canum J.F. Gmel.

Desmodium canum (J.F. Gmel.) Schinz & Thell.

Hedysarum supinum Sw.

Meibomia supina (Sw.) Britton

Decumbent or scandent herb, much branched from the woody base, attainig 1-1.5 m in length. Stems more or less cylindrical, appressedpubescent or pilose, glabrescent with age. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets 3-9 × 0.8-3.8 cm, elliptical, oblong, ovate, lanceolate, or exceptionally rounded, chartaceous, involute, the apex obtuse or acute, mucronate, the base obtuse or rounded, the margins entire; upper surface dark green, puberulent; lower surface grayish green, strigulose, with prominent venation; petiolules 1.5-3 mm long, pilose; petioles 0.7-3 cm long, pilose, canaliculate; rachis 3-10 mm long, pilose, canaliculate; stipules ovate to lanceolate, 6-10 mm long, persistent; stipels minute, subulate. Inflorescences of terminal pseudoracemes, 10-18 cm long, pubescent; bracts minute, persistent. Calyx green, campanulate, 2.5-3 mm long, strigulose; corolla pink or pink-violet, the standard ovate, 5-6 mm long, retuse, unguiculate at the base, the wings and the keel as long as the standard. Legume uncinate-pubescent, 2-4 cm long, crenate on the ventral suture, with 5-8 fertile segments. Seeds 2.5-3.5 mm long, oblongelliptical, light brown.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Apparently native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 864; 2291; 2518; 2785; 4159; 9417; 10492; 10587; 10925.
less ↑

Desmodium intortum (Mill.) Urb., Symb. Antill. 8: 292. 1920.

Fig. 103. H-M

Basionym: Hedysarum intortum Mill.

Decumbent or ascendent herb, branched from the base, attainig 3 m in length. Stems trigonal, densely covered with uncinate hairs. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets 4-7 × 2-5 cm, ovate, broadly ovate, or elliptical, chartaceous, the apex obtuse or acute, the base rounded, the margins entire; upper surface dark green, strigulose; lower surface pale green, more or less strigose, with prominent venation; petiolules 2.5-3 mm long, densely pilose; petioles 2-3.5 cm long, pilose, striate; rachis ca. 5 mm long, pilose; stipules ovate, acuminate, ca. 7 mm long, deciduous; stipels minute, subulate. Inflorescences of terminal or axillary pseudoracemes, uncinatepubescent. Calyx green, campanulate, puberulent, the tubular portion ca. 3 mm long, the inner sepal ca. 3.5 mm long, lanceolate, the rest ca. 1.5 mm long, deltate; corolla pink-violet, the standard ca. 9 mm long, retuse at the apex, unguiculate at the base, the wings and the keel as long as the standard. Legume uncinate-pubescent, ca. 2.5 cm long, crenate on both margins, with 6-11 fertile segments.

Phenology: Collected in flower and fruit during January and February.

Status: Native, relatively common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3761; 9430; 11447.
less ↑

Rhynchosia reticulata (Sw.) Dc., Prodr. 2: 385. 1825.

Fig. 111. I-K

Basionym: Glycine reticulata Sw.

Synonym: Dolicholus reticulatus (Sw.) Millsp.

Non-woody vine, twining, attainig 2-5 m in length. Stems slender, angular, striate, sometimes almost triangular, ferruginous-tomentose when young. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate, chartaceous; margins entire or slightly sinuate, revolute; upper surface dark green, dull, puberulent, with the venation sunken; lower surface pale green, lanatepubescent, with minute orange resinous dots, the venation prominent; terminal leaflet rhombic, 2-12 × 1-7 cm, the apex obtuse or rounded, the base cuneate or obtuse; lateral leaflets asymmetrical, elliptical-ovate, smaller than the terminal leaflet, the base obtuse-cuneate; petiolules tomentose, 1-3 mm long; rachis 4-8 mm long, tomentose; petiole tomentose, 2-5 cm long; stipules lanceolate, up to 10 mm long, sericeous; stipels minute, only on the distal leaflet. Inflorescence a raceme, up to 10(25) cm long, with few flowers. Calyx green, pilose, 6-10 mm long, the lobes lanceolate; corolla yellow, the standard 6-10 mm long, obovate to orbicular, emarginate, glabrous or puberulent; wings obovate, unguiculate, longer than the standard; ovary minutely sericeous. Legume oblong-ovate, falcate, flattened, with one margin straight and the other curved, minutely sericeous, 1.5-3 × 0.8-1.1 cm, the apex shortapiculate. Seeds usually two per fruit, circular, flattened, ca. 5 mm in diameter, light brown with dark brown spots.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 282; 880; 883; 2118; 2304; 2879; 3227; 3889; 4426; 5199; 7202; 10193; 10480; 11323; Britton, N.L. 229; 1605; Cowell, J.F. 754; Fosberg, F.R. 57539; Goll, G.P. 234; 246; 569; 585; 637; 691; 722; Heller, A.A. 28; 4418; Johnston, J.R. 1316; McKee 10646; Millspaugh 252; Sargent, F.H. 494; Shafer, J.A. 2363; Sintenis, P. 375; 3724; Stevenson, J.A. 1316; Telford 4; Underwood, L.M. 454; 619.
less ↑

Mucuna urens (L.) Dc., Prodr. 2: 405. 1825.

Fig. 108. I-M

Basionym: Dolichos urens L.

Synonym: Mucuna altissima (Jacq.) Dc.

Woody vine, twining, attainig 30 m in length. Stems cylindrical, glabrous, smooth, that turn blackish on drying, attaining up to 10 cm in diameter at the base and producing a watery sap with a pink color. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate, usually pendulous: leaflets coriaceous, glabrous, 7-14 × 4.5-7 cm, the margins entire, upper surface dark green, shiny, glabrous; lower surface light green (purple on juvenile leaflets), shiny, glabrous, with prominent puberulent venation; terminal leaflet elliptical or oblong, the apex acuminate, the base rounded; the lateral leaflets asymmetrical, elliptic-lanceolate, the apex acuminate, the base unequal, truncate-obtuse; petiolules slightly thickened, 5-6 mm long, glabrous or puberulent; stipels absent; petioles 4-9 cm long, striate, thickened at the base; stipules deciduous. Inflorescences of pendulous pseudoracemes; peduncles 1-1.5 m in length. Calyx 1.3-1.7 cm long, ferruginous-pubescent, with one of the sepals longer than the rest; pedicel ca. 2 cm long, ferruginous-pubescent; corolla blue-violet or cardinal red, the standard 3-4 cm long, the wings violet-pink, the keel yellowish, shorter than the wings. Legume woody, more or less oblong, flattened, 12-23 × 5-6 cm, the apex with a long point, the valves with prominent venation, like transverse ribs, which join at the ventral margin to form a sinuate projection, covered with rigid, rust-colored hairs, which separate with great facility and produce a sharp pain on contact. Seeds ca. 3.5 cm wide, circular, hard, brown with a black hilum along more than ¾ of the circumference.

Phenology: Collected in flower from October to April and in fruit in February.

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 269; 7799; 9405; 10200; Axelrod, F. 9325; Sintenis, P. 4785; 5041.
less ↑

Abrus precatorius L., Syst. Nat. ed. 12, 472. 1767.

Fig. 97. A-D

Slightly woody vine, twining, much branched from the base, attainig 3 m in length. Stems green, cylindrical, puberulent, turning dark gray, rugose, glabrous and slightly flattened when mature. Leaves alternate, pinnate, 3-5 cm long; leaflets 8-15 pairs, 0.8-1.5 × 0.3-0.7 cm, oblong or oblanceolate, membranaceous, the apex rounded and mucronate, the base rounded, the margins entire; upper surface glabrous, dull, with inconspicuous venation; lower surface puberulent, dull, with the midvein prominent; petiolules minute, slender; rachis without glands, puberulent, with a minute stipel at the base of each leaflet; petioles minute, slender, with the base slightly swollen; stipules filiform, 2-3 mm long, persistent. Inflorescences of small axillary or terminal pseudoracemes, with 5-7 flowers clustered on the swellings of the rachis; bracts minute, deciduous. Calyx campanulate, green, 3-5 mm long, puberulent; corolla pink, the standard ovate, with the center dark pink, up to 1 cm long, concave, the apex acute, the wings and keels as long as the standard, unguiculate. Legumes oblong, 2-4.5 × 1-1.5 cm, slightly inflated, with the apex elongate and recurved and the margins slightly undulate, opening along the two sutures. Seeds ellipsoid, brilliant red, with a black spot at the base, 6-8 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering from October to June and fruiting from November to September.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 10486; 710; 2370; Britton, N.L. 150; Goll, G.P. 241; 521; 951; Heller, A.A. 603; Sargent, F.H. 634; Shafer, J.A. 2340; Sintenis, P. 8; Stevenson, J.A. 508; Underwood, L.M. 405; 967; Wetmore 234.
less ↑

Acacia vogeliana Steud., Nomencl. Bot. ed. 2, 1: 9. 1840.

Fig. 117. G-J

Synonyms: Lysiloma vogeliana (Steud.) Stehlé

Acacia ambigua Vogel, non Hoffmans.

Lysiloma ambigua (Vogel) Urb.

Liana, not spiny, that climbs by means of twining lateral branches and attains 10 m in length. Stems cylindrical, striate, puberulent. Leaves bipinnate, 6-13 cm long, puberulent; pinnae in 5 pairs, pulvinate, with a pair of linear glands above the pulvinus; rachis sulcate, puberulent, with an annular gland between the two pairs of basal and distal pinnae; leaflets 15-16 pairs per pinna, 5-10 mm long, oblonglanceolate, chartaceous, the apex obtuse, mucronulate, the base obtuse-rounded, unequal, the margins entire; both surfaces glabrous or minutely puberulent; stipules minute, early deciduous. Inflorescences of terminal panicles of heads, ca. 1 cm in diameter. Calyx campanulate, 0.6-1 mm long, strigose; corolla white or creamcolored, campanulate, strigose, 2-2.5 mm long; stamens white, exserted. Legumes 6-16 × 2.5-3 cm, oblong, flattened, chartaceous, glabrous, stipitate, with the seeds prominent, the margins thickened and slightly undulate. Seeds 4-6 mm long, elliptical, light brown.

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

Status: Native, very rare.

Commentary: The collections (Acevedo 1, 3, 3242 and 5047) by which this species is known from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands differ from the type collection (from Hispaniola) in having a climbing habit. The collections known from Hispaniola are all of trees or shrubs.
less ↑

Calopogonium mucunoides Desv., Ann. Sci.Nat. (Paris) Sér. 1, 9: 423. 1826.

Fig. 98. G-I

Synonym: Calopogonium orthocarpum Urb.

Slightly woody vine, twining or creeping, much branched, attainig 3-5 m in length. Stems slender, cylindrical, hirsute. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets chartaceous, 2-10 × 1.5-6.5 cm, the apex obtuse to almost rounded, the base of the terminal leaflet cuneate to rounded, and that of the lateral leaflets markedly asymmetrical (obtuse-subtruncate), the margins entire; both surfaces dull, appressed-pubescent; lower surface with prominent venation. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes, up to 10 cm long; rachis hirsute; bracts subulate, persistent, ca. 7 mm long. Calyx campanulate, 7-8 mm long, hirsute, the sepals subulate, caudate at the apex; corolla blue or purple, the standard 6-7 mm long, emarginate. Legume oblong-linear, flattened, hirsute, 2-4 × 0.3-0.5 cm. Seeds almost quadrangular, ca. 3 mm wide, reddish brown, shiny.

Phenology: Collected in flower and fruit from December to March.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, relatively common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7805; Britton, N.L. 400; 1007; Heller, A.A. 440; 4575; Stevenson, J.A. 308; Telford 6.
less ↑

Centrosema plumieri (Turp. ex Pers.) Benth., Comm. Leg. Gen. 54. 1837.

Fig. 100. A-F

Basionym: Clitoria plumieri Turp. ex Pers.

Synonym: Bradburva plumieri (Turp. ex Pers.) Kuntze

Non-woody vine, twining, attainig 5 m in length. Stems cylindrical, green, smooth, glabrous or puberulent. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets 4-11 × 3-8 cm, the apex acute, obtuse, or short-acuminate; margins undulate; upper surface slightly shiny, with the venation sunken, puberulent; lower surface dull, puberulent, with prominent venation; terminal leaflet deltate, ovate, or elliptical, with the base cuneate or cuneate-rounded; lateral leaflets oblong or elliptical, with the base asymmetrical, roundedtruncate; petiolules swollen, 3-4 mm long; petioles 6-10 cm long, slender, glabrous, with the base swollen; stipels linear, up to 10 mm long; stipules oblong-lanceolate, 10-12 mm long, with the venation conspicuously parallel. Flowers solitary or in pairs at the end of long axillary peduncles; bracteoles ovate, convex, 10-14 mm long. Calyx campanulate, 5-8 mm long, glabrous, with three lobes, ca. 2.5 mm long; corolla pink to cardinal red, abaxially appressed-pubescent, the standard 4.5-6 cm wide, rounded, cardinal red in the center and pink or whitish toward the edges, the wings ca. 3 × 1.5 cm, with the apex cardinal red, the keel white, ca. 3.5 cm long. Legume flattened, linear, 10-15 × 0.6-1 cm, the apex longacuminate, the margins thickened.

Phenology: Flowering from October to January and fruiting from January to February.

Status: Apparently native, relatively common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 10168; 10786.
less ↑

Centrosema pubescens Benth., Ann. Wiener Mus. Naturgesh. 2: 119. 1837.

Fig. 100. G-I

Synonym: Bradburya pubescens (Benth.) Kuntze

Slightly woody vine, twining, attainig 8 m in length. Stems slender, appressed-pubescent. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets ovate, oblong, or elliptical, 3-8 × 1.6-4.5 cm, the apex acute or obtuse, the base rounded or obtuse, the margins entire; both surfaces glabrous to pubescent; upper surface with the venation sunken; lower surface with prominent venation; petiolules thickened, pubescent; petioles sulcate, almost quadrangular, 2-5 cm long, puberulent; stipels subulate, 2-2.5 mm long; stipules ovate, 2-4 mm long.

Flores solitary or in pairs at the end of bracteate, axillary peduncles, 5-10 cm long; bracts oblong, slightly longer than the calyx. Calyx asymmetrically campanulate, the tubular portion 5-7 mm long, with five very unequal lobes, the lateral ones deltate, ca. 1 mm long, the central ones subulate or linear, ca. 6 mm long; corolla pale violet, lavender, or less frequently yellowish or whitish with purple lines, the standard 2-4.5 cm wide, abaxially velvety, the wings and the keel shorter than the standard. Legume linear, 10-20 × 0.6 cm, the apex acuminate, with the margins ribbed, dehiscent by valves that twist on drying. Seeds 8-15 per fruit, oblong-quadrangular, dark brown, dull, 5-6 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering predominantly during the months from November to December, but may be found in flower from September to March.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 256; 1054; 6985; 9452; Axelrod, F. 10817; Britton, N.L. 2823; 6735; 7317; Heller, A.A. 210; 6084; Sargent, F.H. 122; Sintenis, P. 3080; 5588; Wetmore 175.
less ↑

Centrosema virginianum (L.) Benth., Comm. Legum. Gen. 56. 1837.

Fig. 100. J-M

Basionym: Clitoria virginiana L.

Synonym: Bradburya virginiana (L.) Kuntze

Slightly woody vine, twining, attainig 6-7 m in length. Stems slender, strong, cylindrical, finely pubescent. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets 2.5-7 × 0.5-2 cm (the terminal one longer than the lateral ones), lanceolate, oblong, ovate, or linear, chartaceous, the apex acute or obtuse, mucronate, the base cuneate to rounded, the margins entire or crenate, ciliate, both surfaces glabrous or puberulent; lower surface with prominent venation; rachis 0.7-1.5 cm long; petioles 2.3-2.8 cm long, slender, sulcate, thickened; stipels narrowly subulate, 4-5 mm long; stipules subulate, 3-5 mm long, persistent, markedly veined. Flowers 1-4, at the end of a bracteate axillary peduncle; bracts ovate or ovatelanceolate, persistent, notably veined. Calyx green, asymmetrically campanulate, with five subulate, subequal lobes, the tubular portion ca. 2 mm long, the lateral lobes ca. 5 mm long, the central lobes 7-8 mm long; corolla lilac or almost white, the standard broadly ovate, 3-4 cm wide, white in the center with purple lines, the wings and keel unguiculate, much shorter than the standard. Legume linear, 10-13 × 0.3-0.4 cm, the apex acuminate, the margins ribbed, dehiscent by valves that twist on drying. Seeds numerous, 3-4 mm long, oblong, brown or light brown with dark brown spots.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting almost throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 715; 823; 1929; 2318; 3896; 4409; 5426; 6959; 7851; 7881; 9414; 11227; 11383; Britton, N.L. 7; 262; 8125; Fisher, M.J. 8; Goll, G.P. 8; 144; 377; 526; Heller, A.A. 926; 6415; McKee 10603; Sargent, F.H. 355; Shafer, J.A. 2345; Sintenis, P. 2306; 3573; Stevenson, J.A. 17; 30; 729; 2198.
less ↑

Clitoria ternatea L., Sp. Pl. 753. 1753.

Fig. 101. D-H

Woody vine, twining, attainig 1-3 m in length. Stems slender, cylindrical, with lines of minute trichomes. Leaves alternate, 5-7-foliolate; leaflets opposite, 1.5-4.5 × 1-3.5 cm, elliptical or less frequently ovate or oblong, chartaceous, the apex rounded, obtuse, sometimes retuse or mucronate, the base obtuse, the margins entire; upper surface dark green, dull, puberulent, with the midvein sunken; lower surface pale green, dull, puberulent, with prominent venation; rachis 2-7 cm long; petiolules minute, pubescent; petioles 2-4 cm long, pubescent, with the base thickened; stipels filiform, ca. 1.5 mm long; stipules lanceolate, pubescent, ca. 4 mm long. Flowers solitary, on short peduncles; pedicel ca. 1 cm long, pubescent, with a pair of bracteoles in the middle. Calyx campanulate, 1.5-2.2 cm long, green, puberulent, the lobes lanceolate-ovate, 8-10 mm long, with the midvein conspicuous; corolla blue-violet, the standard broadly ovate, 3.5-5 cm long, retuse, with the base pale yellow and the center pale yellow inside. Legume 9-11 × ca. 1 cm, oblong, ribbed along both margins, the apex acuminate. Seeds numerous, 5-6 mm long, oblong, flattened, dark brown.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, relatively common.

Commentary: According to Fantz (1990), the following two varieties are found in Puerto Rico: Clitoria ternatea var. ternatea with simple flowers (only one standard per flower) and C. ternatea var. pleniflora Fantz with double flowers (4-5 standards per flower).

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2623; 5236; 5392; 11489;Axelrod, F. 6378; Britton, N.L. 4875; Goll, G.P. 47; 502; Heller, A.A. 6224; Hioram, B. s.n.; Sargent, F.H. 272; Shafer, J.A. 2358; Sintenis, P. 825; 1639; Stevenson, J.A. 1835; 2244.
less ↑

Clitoria falcata Lam., Encycl. Méth. Bot. 2: 51. 1786.

Fig. 101. A-C

Synonyms: Clitoria rubiginosa Juss.

Martiusia rubiginosa (Juss.) Britton

Slightly woody vine, twining, attainig 5 m in length. Stems slender, flexible, tomentose, glabrescent when mature. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets coriaceous, 2.2-9 × 1.2-4.5 cm, elliptical, ovate, or lanceolate, the apex acute or obtuse, mucronate, sometimes retuse, the base obtuse or rounded, the margins smooth, revolute; upper surface dark green, dull, with the venation pale green, glabrous; lower surface sericeous, with prominent venation; stipels lanceolate, ca. 7 mm long, pubescent; petiolules minute, ferruginoustomentose, thickened; rachis 0.5-1.5 cm long, ferruginous-tomentose; petioles ferruginoustomentose, 4-6 cm long, with the base thickened; stipules elliptical or ovate, ca. 7 mm long, with notable parallel veins. Inflorescences of axillary cymes with 2-4 flowers at the end of a peduncle, tomentose, 2-11 cm long; bracts hirsutulous, ca. 8 mm long, oblong, green, with notable parallel veins; pedicels ca. 4 mm long, tomentose. Calyx campanulate, yellowish green, the tube 12-16 mm long, the lobes deltate, 7-12 mm long; corolla pale yellow or white with pale violet lines, the standard rounded, ca. 5 cm long, plicate, retuse, with violet or cardinal red lines on the central portion inside, the wings and keels ca. 2 cm long, longer than wide. Legume 4-6 cm long, pubescent, oblong, obtusely quadrangular, with a rib along each of the valves, the apex acuminate. The seeds 4-6 per fruit, almost spherical, ca. 3 mm in diameter, covered with a sticky, gelatinous matrix.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from September to January.

Status: Native, relatively common.

Commentary: Fantz (1990) recognizes two varieties belonging to this species, of which only the typical variety is found in Puerto Rico. Within this variety he recognizes two forms based on characters of the fruit, which are found in Puerto Rico. Clitoria falcata var. falcata f. falcata possesses legumes with ribs that extend along the length of the valves, while in C. falcata var. falcata f. heteromorpha (Griseb.) Fantz the ribs are absent or extend along at most 2/3 of the length of the valve.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 10564; Axelrod, F. 5631; Britton, N.L. 1468; 1621; Eggers, B. 1351; Goll, G.P. 299; 373; Liogier, A.H. 10248; 10689; Sintenis, P. 74; 5737; Stevenson, J.A. 463.
less ↑

Galactia striata (Jacq.) Urb., Symb. Antill. 2: 320. 1900.

Fig. 105. M-O

Basionym: Glycine striata Jacq.

Synonyms: Galactia striata (Jacq.) Urb. var. tomentosa (Bertol.) Urb.

Galactia berteriana Dc.

Galactia striata (Jacq.) Urb. var. berteriana (Dc.) Urb.

Slightly woody vine, twining, attainig 2-5 m in length. Stems slender, pubescent. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets 3-6 × 2-3 cm, elliptical or ovate, chartaceous, the apex rounded or less frequently obtuse, mucronate, the base rounded, the margins entire; upper surface dark green, dull, pubescent; lower surface pale green, dull, pilose or velutinous, with prominent venation; petiolules thickened, ca. 4.5 cm long, pubescent; stipels minute; rachis ca. 1 cm long; stipules filiform, ca. 3 mm long, pubescent. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes; rachis 4-14 cm long; flowers 2-3, grouped on the swellings along the rachis; bracts minute, persistent. Calyx green, ca. 1 cm long, pubescent, the sepals 4, one of them larger; corolla pink or lavender, the standard 8-10 mm long, elliptical, purple with white lines, yellow at the base on the inner surface, the wings and the keel as long as the standard. Legume 4-8 × 0.6-0.9 cm, oblong, flattened, pubescent, the apex with a recurved point. Seeds 4-5 mm long, flattened, reniform to oblong, dark brown, dull.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from August to March.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 716; 1032; 1851; 3816; 5188; 7225; 7871; 9415; 10474; 10802; 10894; 11471; Britton, N.L. 29; 235; 1794; Goll, G.P. 497; 706; 725; 900; 953; Heller, A.A. 6114; Liogier, A.H. 29965; McKee 10622; Shafer, J.A. 2573; 2859; Sintenis, P. 1994; 2050; 2927; Stevenson, J.A. 2168.
less ↑

Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet, Hort. Brit. ed. 1, 481. 1826.

Fig. 106. A-F

Basionym: Dolichos purpureus L.

Synonym: Dolichos lablab L.

Slightly woody vine, twining, attainig 3-7 m in length. Stems slightly angular, pilose. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets 5-16 × 4.5-12 cm, broadly ovate or rhombic, chartaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base cuneate or truncate on the central leaflet, unequal on the lateral ones, the margins entire, ciliate; upper surface dull, pubescent, with prominent venation; lower surface with the venation reticulate, prominent, pubescent; petiolules thickened, pubescent; petioles 6-20 cm long, canaliculate, laterally flattened, thickened at the base; stipules lanceolate, ca. 5 mm long, persistent; stipels subulate. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes, erect, up to 25 cm long, the flowers 2-3, grouped on the swellings along the rachis; pedicels 4-5 mm long. Calyx campanulate, green, pubescent, 6-7 mm long, the sepals 4 or 5, unequal, lanceolate; corolla white or pale violet, the standard rounded, 1.4-2 cm long, the wings oblanceolate, the keel as long as the wings; stamens 10, diadelphous; ovary flattened, the style curved, the stigma terminal. Legume 5-10 × 2-3 cm, almost oblong, broader in the portion near the apex, the upper margin with numerous callosities, the apex acuminate, tardily dehiscent. Seeds 3-5, up to 1 cm long, ovate or elliptical, flattened, light brown, with a white funiculus.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2123; 2899; 2908; 3030; 4714; 5350; 7085; 10625; 11258; 11261; 11464; Axelrod, F. 9506; 10855; Goll, G.P. 796; 995; Heller, A.A. 36; Shafer, J.A. 2480; Sintenis, P. 5810; Stevenson, J.A. 6125.
less ↑

Macroptilium atropurpureum (Dc.) Urb., Symb. Antill. 9: 457. 1928.

Fig. 107. A-D

Basionym: Phaseolus atropurpureus Dc.

Herbaceous vine, twining, attainig 3-5 m in length. Stems cylindrical, strigose. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets 2-8 × 1.7-3.5 cm, coriaceous, upper surface dull, pubescent; lower surface densely white-pubescent, with prominent venation, the apex acute or obtuse; terminal leaflet ovate-rhombic, sometimes bilobate, the base cuneate; the lateral leaflets asymmetrical, unilobate, the base cuneate-obtuse; petiolules slender, white-pubescent; petioles 1-7 cm long, white-pubescent; stipules subulate to triangular, white-pubescent, 2.5-3 mm long; stipels subulate, white-pubescent, ca. 2 mm long. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes, erect, 13-26 cm long, the flowers grouped in pairs on the swellings on the distal portion of the rachis; pedicels ca. 2 mm long. Calyx tubular-campanulate, green, with a reddish tonality, strigose-sericeous, 5-7 mm long, the sepals subequal or unequal, or all of them shorter than the tubular portion of the calyx; corolla purple, the standard rounded, ca. 2 cm long, the wings, shorter than the standard, unguiculate, the keel recurved in a spiral; stamens 10, diadelphous; ovary flattened, sericeous, the style slightly curved, the stigma terminal, punctiform. Legume 5-8 × 0.2-0.4 cm, linear, flattened, sericeous. Seeds numerous, ca. 3.6 mm long, dark brown, dull.

Phenology: Collected in flower and fruit from January to July.

Status: Exotic, uncommon, a relatively recent introduction, since it was not reported for Puerto Rico by Britton and Wilson in 1924.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 9312; 11226; Axelrod, F. 10476.
less ↑

Mucuna pruriens (L.) Dc., Prodr. 2: 405. 1825.

Fig. 108. A-E

Slightly woody vine, twining, attainig 5-7 m in length. Stems pubescent, cylindrical, striate, glabrescent. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets chartaceous, the apex acute or obtuse, mucronate, the upper surface dark green, dull, puberulent, the lower surface pale green, strigulose, with prominent venation, the margins slightly sinuate; terminal leaflet rhombic-ovate, (5.5)7.5-15 × 4-6 cm, the base obtuse, rounded to almost cuneate; lateral leaflets markedly asymmetrical, one side oblong, the other ovate, 5)7.5-13(18) x (2.8)4.5-7.2(10.3) cm, the base obtuse on one side, truncate on the other; petiolules pubescent, 4-6 mm long; rachis 1.2-2 cm long, strigose; petioles 4.5-16.5 cm long, strigose, with the base swollen; stipules minute, caducous; stipels linear, 4-5 mm long. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes, 10-30 cm long, with 1-3 flowers per node. Calyx grayish green, campanulate-asymmetrical, 1-1.5 cm long, sericeous-pubescent, mixed with some stiff hairs, the sepals unequal, triangular, deep; standard ovate, 1.5-2 cm long, violet, the wings purple, oblong, ca. 4 cm long, the keel pale violet; staminal column almost white, exserted, the anthers violet. Legume more or less cylindrical, with the curved extremities forming an ‘s’, 4-10 × 1-1.4 cm, densely covered with stiff, extremely stinging hairs, dehiscent by valves that open in a spiral. Seeds ellipsoid, brown with black spots, ca. 1 cm long, with a cream-colored hilum, ca. 5 mm long.

Phenology: Collected in flower from August to April and in fruit from October to January.

Status: Probably native, rather common.
less ↑

Mucuna sloanei Fawc. & Rendl., J. Bot. 55:36. 1917.

Fig. 108. F-H

Synonyms: Dolichos urens Jacq., non L.

Mucuna urens sensu Urb., non (L.) Dc.

Twining liana attainig 10-15 m in length. Stems cylindrical, strigulose. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets 8-12.5 × 5.7-7.5 cm, chartaceous, the obtuse apex usually terminating in a short acumen, the margins entire; upper surface strigulose, dark green, dull; lower surface pale green, dull, sericeous-pubescent (silvery), with prominent venation; terminal leaflet oblongelliptical or ovate, the base obtuse, rounded to almost truncate; lateral leaflets very asymmetrical, one side lanceolate, the other elliptical, the base obtuse, truncate, or almost cordiform; petiolules thickened, strigose, ca. 5 mm long; petioles sulcate, glabrescent, up to 11 cm long; stipules deciduous; stipels subulate, ca. 4 mm long. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes, short, with few flowers at the end. Calyx yellowish green, broadly campanulate, 1.5-2 cm long, sericeous; corolla yellow, the standard 2.5-4 cm long, the wings and the keel, elongate, falcate, longer than the standard; style appressedpubescent. Legume oblong, flattened, 8-18 × 4-5 cm, densely covered with stiff stinging hairs. Seeds 2-4, circular, 2-3 cm long, brown with the black hilum along ¾ of the circumference.

Phenology: Unknown.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 11385; Caminero, G. 306; Eggers, B. 1317; García, R. 3248; Prey, N. s.n.; Sintenis, P. 5748; 5941.
less ↑

Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urb., Symb. Antill. 4: 311. 1905.

Fig. 110. A-E

Basionym: Dolichos erosus L.

Synonym: Cacara erosa (L.) Kuntze

Herbaceous vine, twining, attainig 3-10 m in length. Tuberous roots thick. Stems cylindrical, slightly ribbed, pilose. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets chartaceous, the apex shortacuminate, the margins deeply dentate, the teeth mucronate; upper surface dark green, dull, sparsely appressed-pubescent, with slightly prominent venation; lower surface pale green, sparsely appressed-pubescent, with the reticulate venation prominent; terminal leaflet 8-16 × 9-19 cm, rhombic, the base cuneate or sub-reniform; lateral leaflets asymmetrical, broadly ovateelliptical, the base cuneate-subtruncate; petiolules thickened, pubescent, with a pair of stipels at the base; rachis 3-4 cm long, pilose; petioles 8-13 cm long, sulcate, pilose, with the base broadened. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes, erect, 30-45 cm long, the flowers in groups of 1-5 per node of the inflorescence; pedicels 6-8 mm long; bracteoles minute, oblong. Calyx 9-11 mm long, green, campanulate, the sepals 4, one larger that the others; corolla blue or blue-violet, the standard semicircular, ca. 1.5 cm long, emarginate, the wings and the keel as long as the standard; stamens 10, diadelphous. Fruit an oblong legume, flattened, 7-15 × 1.1-2 cm, pubescent. Seeds quadrangular, flattened, ca. 7 mm long, dark brown.

Phenology: Collected in flower during September and in fruit in January, February, and August.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 5225; 7228; Goll, G.P. 155; Sintenis, P. 5581; Stevenson, J.A. 2272.
less ↑

Vigna adenantha (G. Meyer) Marechal, Mascherpe & Stanier, Taxon 27: 202. 1978.

Fig.114. E-H

Basionym: Phaseolus adenanthus G. Meyer

Slightly woody vine, twining, climbing, attainig 3-5 m in length. Stems slender, almost cylindrical, glabrous or pilose. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets chartaceous, with three principal veins from the base, the apex acute, obtuse, or acuminate, the upper surface glabrous, sometimes sparsely appressed-pubescent, the lower surface pale green, appressed-pubescent, especially on the prominent veins, the margins deeply sinuate; terminal leaflet lanceolate or ovate, 3-9.5(15.5) × 1.5-5.3(9.6) cm, the base cuneate or obtuse; lateral leaflets markedly asymmetrical, with one side elliptical and the other ovate or lanceolate, the base cuneate-obtuse; petiolules pubescent, 2-5 mm long; rachis 1-2 cm long, striate, pilose; petioles canaliculate, striate, pilose or glabrous, 3-9.5 cm long; stipules triangular, 3-4 mm long, glabrous, conspicuously veined, truncate at the base; stipels oblong, ca. 2 mm long. Inflorescence of axillary pseudoracemes, 4-12 cm long, with 2 flowers per node; peduncle appressedpubescent or glabrous; pedicels 1.6-2 mm long, glabrous; bracts in pairs, lanceolate, deciduous. Calyx green, glabrous, campanulate, 5-7.5 mm long, with 3 lanceolate lobes, longer than the two central ones, which are rounded and fused; corolla pale violet; standard reniform, retuse at the apex, 2.2-3 cm long and up to 2.5 cm wide, pale violet, whitish toward the margins, with the vexillar callus yellow; wings 2.2-2.5 cm long, obovate, twisted, enclosing the keel, pale violet, dark violet toward the apex, or sometimes pale yellow; keel up to 3 cm wide, pale violet to whitish, spirally twisted at the apex (½-1½ turns). Legume oblong, curved, flattened, the area of the seeds slightly prominent, 7-11 cm long, 8-9 mm wide, puberulent, scabrous along the margins, the apex acute, recurved. Seeds 11-16, almost circular, flattened, ca. 6 mm wide, dark brown.

Phenology: Collected in flower and fruit from December to April.

Status: Probably native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P.9346; 9388; 10167; 10772; 10807; Axelrod, F. 6052; Britton, N.L. 1406; 1607; 2367; Heller, A.A. 1221; Sintenis, P. 5627; Stevenson, J. A. 288.
less ↑

Phaseolus lunatus L., Sp. Pl. 724. 1753.

Fig. 110. F-I

Herbaceous vine, twining, attainig 5-6 m in length. Stems obtuse-pentagonal or cylindrical, puberulent. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets chartaceous, the apex acute or short-acuminate, the margins sinuate; upper surface dark green, dull, glabrous, with slightly prominent venation; lower surface pale green or glaucous, glabrous, with the primary and secondary venation prominent; terminal leaflet 5.5-11 × 3.5-7.5 cm, rhombic or deltate, the base cuneate or truncate; lateral leaflets asymmetrically deltate, the base truncate; petiolules thickened, 3-5 mm long, pubescent; rachis 1.5-2.5 cm long; petioles 6.5-9 cm long, sulcate, puberulent, the base slightly broadened. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes, erect, 3-30 cm long, the flowers in groups of 2 per node of the inflorescence; pedicels 6-9 mm long, pilose; bracteoles minute, oblong. Calyx 2-2.5 mm long, green, campanulate, pilose, the sepals deltate, subequal; corolla white or lilac, pink or bluish, the standard semicircular, 7-10 mm long, abaxially pilose, the wings obovate, unguiculate, as long as the standard, the keel spirally twisted, ca. 1 cm long; stamens 10, diadelphous, the vexillar stamen broadened at the base; ovary with hispidulous pubescence, intermingled with uncinate hairs. Fruit an oblong-falcate legume or in the form of a half-moon, flattened, 5-7 × 1-2 cm, puberulent with uncinate hairs or glabrescent, dehiscent by valves that open in a spiral. Seeds reniform, flattened, ca. 7 mm long, reddish brown, with dark spots.

Phenology: Collected in flower and fruit from December to June.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3741; Britton, N.L. 2068; Goll, G.P. 587; 673; 705; Liogier, A.H. 10810; Sintenis, P. 3110; 5778; Stevenson, J.A. 1979.
less ↑

Phaseolus vulgaris L., Sp. Pl. 723. 1753.

Fig. 110. J-M

Herbaceous vine, climbing or creeping, attainig 3 m in length, or sometimes an erect herb. Stems obtuse-pentagonal or cylindrical, puberulent. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets chartaceous, the apex acuminate, the margins entire; upper surface dark green, dull, appressedpuberulent, with slightly prominent venation; lower surface pale green, appressed-puberulent, with prominent venation; terminal leaflet 6-10 × 5-7.5 cm, deltate or rhombic, the base cuneate or truncate; lateral leaflets asymmetrically deltate, the base truncate-obtuse; petiolules thickened, 4-6 mm long, pilose; rachis 1.8-2.8 cm long, marginate or slightly winged; petioles 8-15 cm long, adaxially flattened, marginate, puberulent; stipules triangular, ca. 4 mm long; stipels oblong, ca. 3 mm long. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes, the rachis up to 8 cm long, uncinate-pubescent, the flowers usually 4, in groups of 2 per node, this with an ovate bract, persistent at the base; pedicels 7-8 mm long, pilose; bracteoles elliptic-ovate, rounded at the apex, up to 7.5 mm long. Calyx 3.5-4 mm long, green, obliquely campanulate, puberulent, the sepals unequal; corolla white to lilac, pink, or purple, the standard semicircular, ca. 10 mm long, glabrous, the wings obovate, unguiculate, longer than the standard, the keel spirally twisted, ca. 1 cm long; stamens 10, diadelphous, the vexillar stamen broadened at the base; ovary strigulose. Fruit an oblong legume, slightly flattened, straight or slightly curved, 9-12 × 1-1.2 cm, glabrous, long-apiculate at the apex, dehiscent by valves that separate longitudinally. Seeds oblongreniform, 1-1.2 mm long, of various colors, reddish brown, grayish with dark spots, pink.

Phenology: Collected in flower and fruit from May to July and in November.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, uncommon.
less ↑

Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth., J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 9: 125. 1865.

Fig. 111. A-D

Basionym: Dolichos phaseoloides Roxb.

Herbaceous vine, twining, much branched, attainig 15 m in length. Stems cylindrical, pilose. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets 3-12(14) × 2.9-8.7(13) cm, chartaceous, ovate or rhombic, the lateral ones asymmetrical, the apex acute, the base cuneate on the central leaflet, rounded-obtuse on the lateral ones, the margins entire; upper surface dark green, dull, pubescent, especially on the veins; lower surface pale green, strigose, with prominent venation; petiolules swollen, 4-5 mm long, pubescent; petioles sulcate, pubescent, up to 12 cm long, with the base swollen; stipules narrowly lanceolate, 3-5 mm long; stipels subulate, minute, persistent. Pseudoracemes axillary, up to 25 cm long, with 2-3 flowers per node; bracts minute, persistent; peduncles pubescent. Calyx campanulate, ca. 5 mm long. Legume linear, flattened, 6-9 cm long, slightly curved, dehiscent by valves that open in a spiral, the valves septate between the seeds. Seeds numerous, ca. 3 mm long, oblong, dark brown to almost black.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from November to March.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, very aggressive and very common.

Commentary: Apparently originally introduced on lands of the Agricultural Experiment Station in Mayagüez in Puerto Rico in 1940 from material from Malaya; today this species has a wide distribution throughout Puerto Rico.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2411; 3740; 5432; 6966; Axelrod, F. 5819; 9472; Hermann, F.A. s.n.; Liogier, A.H. 10539; 10574.
less ↑

Teramnus labialis (L.f.) Spreng., Syst. Veg. 3: 235. 1826.

Fig. 113. A-E

Basionym: Glycine labialis L.f.

Twining vines, 3-5 m in length. Stems slender, pilose, almost hirsute when young. Leaves trifoliolate; leaflets 1.5-6.2 × 0.6-3.5 cm, chartaceous, the apex mucronate, obtuse or rounded, the base obtuse or rounded, the margins ciliate; upper surface appressed-pubescent; lower surface strigose; terminal leaflets elliptical; lateral leaflets asymmetrical, elliptic-oblong or ellipticovate; petiolules 2-3 mm long, pilose; stipules lanceolate, up to 3 mm long; stipels ca. 1.5 mm long, linear. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes that attain 11 cm long, the flowers in pairs on the nodes of the rachis. Calyx campanulate, 3-5 mm long, strigose; corolla white, pink, or pale violet, the standard obovate, ca. 5 mm long, the wings and the keel shorter than the standard. Legume 2-5 × 0.3-0.4 cm, linear, slightly flattened, strigulose, glabrescent, with a curved beak at the apex, dehiscent by valves that twist back in a spiral. Seeds 8-10, oblong, 2.5-3 mm long, reddish brown.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 621; 648; 1956; 2367; 5397; 6986; 11203; Britton, N.L. 1601; 1760; 6504; Liogier, A.H. 30403; McKee 10629; Sargent, F.H. 503; Shafer, J.A. 2446.
less ↑

Teramnus uncinatus (L.) Sw., Nov. Gen. Sp. Pl. 105. 1788.

Fig. 113. F-I

Basionym: Dolichos uncinatus L.

Slightly woody vine, twining, attainig 3-5 m in length. Stems cylindrical, ferruginoustomentose or sericeous. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets chartaceous, oblong, lanceolate, or less frequently elliptical, 5-12 × (0.6)0.9-3.2(6) cm, the apex acute, obtuse, or rounded, mucronate, the base obtuse or rounded, frequently unequal on the lateral leaflets, the margins entire; upper surface strigulose; lower surface sericeous-pubescent, with prominent venation, ciliate; petiolules tomentose, 2-4 mm long; rachis ferruginous-tomentose, sulcate, 0.2-2 cm long; petioles ferruginous-tomentose, sulcate, 3-11.5 cm long; stipules lanceolate, pubescent, 3-4 mm long; stipels linear, 1-2 mm long. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes, 10-15 cm long, with 2 or 3 flowers grouped at the nodes; peduncle tomentose or sericeous. Calyx campanulate, ca. 6 mm long, tomentose, the lobes linear; corolla pink or lavender, the standard ca. 4 mm long, oblong or rounded, the wings longer than the keel, the keel whitish. Legume flattened, linear, 4-7 × 0.3-0.4 cm, ferruginous-tomentose, with a curved beak at the apex, dehiscent by valves that twist back in a spiral. Seeds oblong, 4-5 mm long, reddish brown.

Phenology: Collected in flower from October to January and in fruit from October to March.

Status: Native, relatively common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3749; 7055; 7806; Cowell, J.F. 5490; Goll, G.P. 636; Heller, A.A. 6255; Liogier, A.H. 10421; Sargent, F.H. 3218; Sintenis, P. 110; 2046; 2961; 5914; Stevenson, J.A. 5041; Telford 5.
less ↑

Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urb., Symb. Antill. 9: 457. 1928.

Fig. 107. E-J

Basionym: Phaseolus lathyroides L.

Synonym: Phaseolus semierectus L.

Erect or clambering herb, scarcely twining, with numerous basal or lateral branches, attainig 1.5-2(3) m in length. Stems almost cylindrical, up to 5 mm in diameter, pubescent, glabrescent. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets elliptical, ovate, or lanceolate, 3-5 × 2-3 cm, chartaceous, the apex mucronate, acute or obtuse, the base obtuse or cuneate, the margins entire; upper surface glabrous, dark green, dull; lower surface pale green, dull, puberulent, with prominent venation; petiolules thickened, pubescent, 2-3 mm long; petioles sulcate, pubescent, sometimes reddish, with the base thickened; stipules lanceolate, 5-10 mm long, with notable parallel venation; stipels subulate, minute. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes, 15-30 cm long, the flowers paired on the swellings on the distal portion of the rachis. Calyx campanulate, 5-7 mm long, strigose or puberulent, the sepals lanceolate, two of which are slightly smaller than the rest; corolla maroon, pink, and sometimes white, the standard 1-1.5 cm long, the wings longer than the standard, concave, the keel shorter than the standard, recurved in the form of a spiral. Legume linear, somewhat flattened and recurved, 6-12 cm × ca. 3 mm, dehiscent by valves that open in a spiral. Seeds numerous, 2-3 mm long, oblongreniform, dark brown.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Apparently native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 367; 860; 1854; 2117; 2757; 3879; 5187; 5393; 10715; 11362; 11498; Britton, N.L. 8786; Goll, G.P. 10; 149; Heller, A.A. 30; Liogier, A.H. 9966; Sargent, F.H. 91; Shafer, J.A. 2379; 2672; Sintenis, P. 376; Stevenson, J.A. 59; Underwood, L.M. 134; 164.
less ↑

Dioclea reflexa Hook. f., Niger Fl. 306. 1849.

Fig. 104. A-H

Woody vine, twining, attainig 10 m in length. Stems pilose, cylindrical, glabrescent when mature, attaining 1 cm in diameter. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets 7-16 × 5-10.5 cm (the terminal leaflet larger than the lateral ones), elliptical or less frequently oblong, chartaceous, the apex rounded, usually terminating in a short apiculus, the base rounded, unequal on the lateral leaflets, the margins entire or undulate, slightly revolute; upper surface green, dull, punctate, strigulose, especially on the midvein, the lateral veins sunken; lower surface pale green, dull, strigulose, with prominent pilose venation; petiolules thickened, 5-6 mm long, pilose; stipels 8-10 mm long, linear; petioles 7-9 cm long, sulcate, pilose, with the base thickened; stipules subulate, ca. 1 cm long, sericeous. Inflorescences of axillary or terminal pseudoracemes; rachis ca. 40 cm long, thick, woody, sericeous; flowers in groups of three on each of the nodal swellings along the rachis; bracts subulate, ca. 1.5 cm long, reflexed, sericeous. Calyx ca. 1.5 cm long, ferruginous-strigulose, with five lobes, one of which is lanceolate and longer, the rest ovate; corolla cardinal red or violet, the standard ca. 1.2 cm long, with the center whitish inside, the wings and the keel unguiculate, as long as the standard. Legume 10-15 × 5-6 cm, oblong, laterally compressed between the seeds, densely pubescent, glabrescent on drying, the margins thickened. Seeds 1-3, circular, 2-3.5 cm long, brown with a black hilum along 2/3 - 3/4 of the circumference.

Phenology: Collected in flower from October to December and in fruit from January to March.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Commentary: In this work I follow Maxwell (1999), who considers D. reflexa as a species distinct from the Asian species, D. hexandra (Ralph) Mabberley.

The seeds of D. reflexa superficially resemble those of Mucuna urens, since they are of similar size and both possess a hilum that covers a large portion of its circumference. Nevertheless, the seeds of D. reflexa are distinguished from those of the latter species by their light brown color with brown spots (vs. uniformly reddish brown) and by the presence of a dark brown hilum (vs. a black hilum).

Selected Specimens Examined: Axelrod, F. 10825; Britton, N.L. 1677; 7815; Sintenis, P. 5040; 5311.
less ↑

Rhynchosia minima (L.) Dc., Prodr. 2: 385. 1825.

Fig. 111. E-H

Basionym: Dolichos minimus L.

Synonyms: Rhynchosia minima var. lutea Eggers

Rhynchosia minima var. pauciflora Kuntze

Dolicholus minimus (L.) Medic.

Non-woody vine, twining, attainig 1-4 m in length. Stems slender, densely pubescent, striate, cylindrical, with numerous resinous dots in the furrows. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate, chartaceous; margins entire, slightly revolute; upper surface dull, glabrous or white-pubescent, especially on the veins, with numerous orange resinous dots; lower surface pale green, glabrous, puberulent or pubescent, with minute orange resinous dots and the primary and secondary venation prominent; terminal leaflet rhombic, 0.9-2.8(7.5) × 0.6-2.8(6.3) cm, the apex acute or obtuse, the base cuneate; lateral leaflets asymmetrical, elliptical-ovate, slightly smaller than the terminal leaflet, the base obtuse; petiolules densely pubescent, 1-1.5 mm long; petiole striate, densely pubescent, 1.5-2 cm long; stipules subulate, 2-2.5 mm long, densely pubescent; stipels subulate, ca. 3 mm long. Inflorescence a raceme, as long as or longer than the leaves. Calyx green, the lobes lanceolate, 2-3 mm long; corolla yellow with purple or brown venation, the standard 5 mm long, orbicularovate; wings oblong, unguiculate, 4-5.5 mm long, with resinous dots. Legume falcate to oblongovate, flattened, minutely villous, 9-20 × 3-5 mm, with a beak at the apex. Seeds 2-3, ovate-reniform, dark brown to almost black, 3-4 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Probably exotic, naturalized, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 1957; 2337; 3921; 5374; 5398; 7222; 7776; 11274; Britton, N.L. 1857; Goll, G.P. 574; 733; Heller, A.A. 32; 4571; 6288; Johnston, J.R. 1157; Sargent, F.H. 587; Shafer, J.A. 2484; Sintenis, P. 117; 3140; 3888; 5493; Stevenson, J.A. 1157; 1351; Underwood, L.M. 212; 712.
less ↑

Vigna longifolia (Benth.) Verdc., Kew Bull. 24: 541. 1970.

Fig. 115. A-C

Basionym: Phaseolus longifolius Benth.

Synonyms: Phaseolus lanceolatus Bello

Phaseolus ovatus Benth.

Herbaceous vine, creeping or climbing, attainig 2-3 m in length. Stems very slender, 0.5-1.5 mm in diameter, greenish, ferruginous-pilose or glabrous when mature, sometimes with roots in the area of the nodes. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets chartaceous, with three main veins from the base, 2-6.2 × 0.4-2.2(3) cm, lanceolate or linear, the apex acute, the base rounded, the margins slightly undulate; both surfaces more or less strigulose; lateral leaflets slightly asymmetrical at the base; petiolules broadened, pilose, 1-2 mm long; rachis 2-6 mm long, canaliculate, pilose; petioles 2-5 cm long, canaliculate, pilose; stipules peltate in the center, glabrous, persistent, both ends oblong, up to 4 mm long, of the same length or one longer than the other; stipels oblong, ca. 0.5 mm long, persistent. Inflorescence of axillary pseudoracemes, 4-12(22) cm long, the flowers 2 per node, which are found in the distal portion of the inflorescence; pedicels ca. 2 mm long; bracteoles in pairs, at the base of the calyx, oblong, sparsely pilose, 3-5 mm long, deciduous. Calyx asymmetrically campanulate, 1.5-3 mm long, the lobes short, obtuse, similar; corolla pale yellow; standard obovate, ca. 8 mm long, the wings and the keel more or less of the same length as the standard. Legume oblong, compressed, 2.5-4 cm long, 6-7 mm wide, appressed-pubescent. Seeds 5-7, asymmetrically ellipsoid, ca. 5 mm long, reddish brown, shiny, the hilum whitish, ca. 2.5 mm long.

Phenology: Collected in flower and fruit in March and in fruit in May.

Status: Apparently exotic, naturalized, locally common. Although the existence of this species in Puerto Rico has been since the end of the nineteenth century, it seems to have been introduced, because this constitutes the only record for the species in the Antilles.

Selected Specimens Examined: Britton, N.L. 6751.
less ↑

Vigna luteola (Jacq.) Benth. in Mart., Fl. Bras. 15(1): 194. 1859.

Fig. 115. D-H

Basionym: Dolichos luteolus Jacq.

Synonyms: Dolichos repens L.

Vigna repens (L.) Kuntze, non Baker

Herbaceous vine, creeping or climbing, twining, attainig 10 m in length. Stems branched from the base, slender, cylindrical, ferruginouspilose. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets chartaceous, ovate or lanceolate, 2.5-7.5 × 1-5 cm; upper surface glabrous, with slightly prominent venation; lower surface sparsely appressedpubescent, especially on the prominent veins, the apex acute, obtuse, or less frequently acuminate, the base cuneate to rounded, slightly asymmetrical on the lateral leaflets, the margins entire, ciliate; petiolules 2-3 mm long, pubescent; rachis 9-13 mm long, marginate or narrowly winged; petioles 2-9 cm long, marginate or narrowly winged; stipels oblong, 2-2.5 mm long; stipules lanceolate, ca. 3 mm long, auriculate at the base. Pseudoracemes axillary, up to 30 cm long, the flowers 1-2 per node, which are found in the distal portion of the inflorescence; pedicels 4-5 mm long, erect, with the calyx in a horizontal position or reflexed. Calyx green, campanulate, 4-5 mm long, the sepals unequal, the longer (3 mm) ones subulate, the shorter (1.5-2 mm) ones deltate, ciliate. Corolla brilliant yellow; standard rounded, 1.5-2 cm long; the wings and the keel as long as the standard. Legume pointing downward, linear, almost cylindrical, slightly curved, with the margins slightly sinuate between the seeds, 4-7 cm long, ca. 5 mm wide, glabrous or pubescent, blackish on drying. Seeds oblong or rectangular, ca. 5 mm long, reddish brown.

Phenology: Flowering almost throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2994; 4005; 5179; 7089; 7915; 9389; 10773; 11240; Britton, N.L. 208; 1594; 5511; Goll, G.P. 16; 954; Heller, A.A. 240; 4682; Shafer, J.A. 2729; Sintenis, P. 170; 3947; 6715; Stevenson, J.A. 5474; Underwood, L.M. 5; Webster, G.L. 8621.
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Vigna marina (Burm.) Merr., Interpret. Rhumph. Amboin. 285. 1917.

Fig. 115. I-J

Synonym: Vigna retusa (E. Meyer) Walp.

Herbaceous vine, creeping, twining, attainig 2 m or more in length. Stems slender, cylindrical, striate, pubescent, glabrous when mature. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets slightly fleshy, obovate, elliptical, or almost rounded, 2.5-7 × 1.5-4 cm; upper surface appressed-pubescent or glabrous; lower surface appressed-pubescent or glabrous, the venation prominent, the apex obtuse or rounded, the base cuneate or rounded, slightly asymmetrical on the lateral leaflets, the margins entire; petiolules 1-2 mm long, glabrous or sericeous; rachis ca. 11 mm long, sulcate, glabrescent; petioles ca. 3 cm long, sulcate, glabrescent; stipels oblong, ca. 1 mm long; stipules lanceolate, 2-3 mm long, truncate at the base. Pseudoracemes axillary, 6-8(20) cm long, the flowers few per node, which are found in the distal 1/2 or 1/3 of the inflorescence; pedicels ca. 4 mm long. Calyx green, campanulate, ca. 4 mm long, the sepals unequal, ciliate. Corolla yellow; standard obovate, ca.1.5 cm long, emarginate at the apex; the wings and the keel as long as the standard. Legume almost cylindrical, with the margins slightly sinuate between the seeds, 5-6 cm long, ca. 5 mm wide, glabrous, blackish on drying. Seeds rectangular, ca. 4.5 mm long, black, shiny.

Phenology: Collected in fruit in March.

Status: Native, very rare.

Commentary: The application of the name V. marina is rather confused, and needs an explanatory note. This epithet was originally published by Burman based on the work of Rumphius (Index Alt. Herb. Amboin. 5: 391, tab. 141 fig. 2, 1750). As a result, the name Vigna marina is typified by the illustration presented in that work. Nevertheless, the examination of this illustration reveals that in reality it represents the species that today bears the name V. luteola. Due to the code of nomenclature’s principle of priority, the name V. luteola should be replaced with V. marina. Nevertheless, the name Vigna luteola could be maintained if the name V. marina was conserved with a different type, so as to preserve the traditional use of both names. In this treatment I use the traditional nomenclature in anticipation of a proposal to conserve the name V. marina with a different type. As a result, V. retusa becomes a synonym of V. marina.
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Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., Repert. Bot. Syst. 1: 779. 1842.

Fig. 116. E-F

Basionym: Dolichos unguiculatus L.

Herbaceous vine, climbing and twining, attainig 3-5 m in length. Stems up to 5 mm in diameter, cylindrical, glabrous, wine-colored when young. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets chartaceous, 5-14.6 × 3-10.5 cm, both surfaces glabrous, with slightly prominent venation, the apex obtuse or acute, mucronate, the margins sinuate to lobate; terminal leaflet rhombic-ovate or rhombic-lanceolate, the base cuneate, with the point rounded or sometimes subcordiform; lateral leaflets markedly asymmetrical, one side oblong, the other ovate or lanceolate, the base cuneate or truncate; petiolules 4-5 mm long, puberulent, winged; rachis 0.5-3.5 cm long, canaliculate, marginate or winged; petioles 1-10 cm long, canaliculate, marginate or winged, glabrous, thick, broadened at the base; stipels oblong or obovate, ca. 2 mm long; stipules peltate, constricted in the zone of insertion, the distal portion lanceolate, 6-10 mm long, the basal portion 2-3 mm long. Pseudoracemes axillary, up to 40 cm long, the flowers 2 per node, in the distal portion of the inflorescence; peduncles thick, glabrous; pedicels ca. 2 mm long, erect, with the calyx in an ascending position. Calyx green, campanulate, glabrous, ca. 8 mm long, the sepals slightly unequal, subulate, as long as the tubular portion. Corolla pale violet, white, greenish, or yellowish; standard rounded, 1.5-3 cm long, unguiculate, with the base auriculate; the wings and the keel shorter than the standard, the keel not spirally twisted. Legumes ascendent or horizontal, linear, slightly compressed, straight, 15-20 × ca. 1 cm, glabrous, the valves with partitions between the seeds. Seeds 10-15 per fruit, oblong, 9-10 mm long, reddish brown or white with a black spot, the hilum white, ca. 2 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting almost throughout the year.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, uncommon.
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Vigna vexillata (L.) A. Rich. in Sagra, Hist. Fis. Polit. Nat. Cuba 11: 191. 1845.

Fig. 116. G-K

Basionym: Phaseolus vexillatus L.

Herbaceous vine, creeping or climbing, twining, attainig 4-5 m in length. Stems slender, green, ferruginous-pilose. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets chartaceous, 3.5-11.5 × 1.5-5.2 cm, lanceolate, the upper surface strigulose, the venation slightly prominent; lower surface strigulose or strigose, with prominent venation, the apex acute or acuminate, the base obtuse or rounded on the terminal leaflet, unequal (obtusetruncate) on the lateral ones, the margins revolute, ciliate; petiolules 2-4 mm long, pilose, marginate; rachis canaliculate, pilose, 3-20 mm long; petioles canaliculate, pilose, swollen at the base, 1.6-10 cm long; stipels subulate, 2-3 mm long; stipules lanceolate, 6-9 mm long, sagittate at the base. Pseudoracemes axillary, 10-31 cm long, the flowers 2 per node, in the distal portion of the inflorescence; peduncle thick, sparsely pilose, glabrescent; pedicels 2.5-3 mm long, erect; bracteoles subulate, ca. 5 mm long, pubescent. Calyx green, campanulate, puberulent, 12-15 mm long, the sepals slightly unequal, subulate, as long as the tubular portion of the calyx. Corolla pale violet or pink; standard ca. 2 cm long, the wings 1 cm wide, with the base mulberry-colored. Fruit a linear legume, cylindrical, 7-11 cm long, with the apex acute, slightly recurved, ferruginouspilose-pubescent. Seeds oblong, black or gray.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Apparently native, relatively common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 10166; 10794; 11375; Axelrod, F. 10478; Goll, G.P. 338; Sargent, F.H. 563; Sintenis, P. 1095; Stevenson, J.A. 5803.
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