Vines and Climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

Oplonia spinosa (Jacq.) Raf., Fl. Tellur. 4: 65. 1838.

Fig. 13. F-K

Basionym: Justicia spinosa Jacq.

Synonym: Anthacanthus spinosus (Jacq.) Nees

Clambering shrub, 2-4 m in length. Stems slender, obtusely quadrangular, densely covered with minute, whitish hairs when young, with numerous lateral branches; spines axillary, 0.4-1.2 cm long, recurved or rarely straight, perpendicular to the stem. Leaves opposite, usually clustered at the nodes; blades 0.5-2.2 × 0.4-2 cm, elliptical, obovate, or narrowly elliptical, rigid-coriaceous, glabrous, the apex obtuse or rounded, slightly sulcate, usually with a tuft of minute hairs, the base cuneate or attenuate, the margins revolute; upper surface shiny, usually with cystoliths; lower surface dull, pale green; petioles minute. Flowers solitary or clustered in condensed racemes; bracts minute, triangular. Calyx green, infundibuliform, ca. 3 mm long, of 5 lanceolate sepals; corolla lilac or lavender, 1.2-1.5 cm long. Capsules 1.2 cm long, claviform, glabrous; seeds 4, brown, lenticular, 3-4 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering from December to July and fruiting from April to July.

Status: Native, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 760; 3975; 4116; 4147; 5418; 7026; 9302; 10595; 11330; Britton, N.L. 2545; Heller, A.A. 4688; Johnston, J.R. 803; Prance, G.T. 29373; Sargent, F.H. 399; 693; Sintenis, P. 5202; Stevenson, J.A. 2405; Wasshausen, D.C. 1303; Webster, G.L. 8974; Woodbury, R.O. 56.
less ↑

Distictis lactiflora (Vahl) Dc., Prodr. 9: 191. 1845.

Fig. 3. A; 44. E-H

Basionym: Bignonia lactiflora Vahl

Synonym: Macrodiscus lactiflorus (Vahl)Bureau

Woody vine that climbs by tendrils with adhesive discs and attains 5 m or more in length. Mature stems cylindrical with the bark light brown, shredded; cross section with peripheral phloem forming a cross of 4 arms. Branches quadrangular, striate, puberulous, with thickened nodes; pseudostipules foliaceous, 3-4 mm long, deciduous. Leaves opposite, 2-foliolate, with a terminal tendril with 3 branches, 2 of them modified into an adhesive disc; leaflets 2.7-8 × 2-4.5 cm, oblong, elliptical to subrounded, coriaceous, with the reticulate venation conspicuous, the apex obtuse, acute, or acuminate, the base rounded or acute, unequal; upper surface shiny, glabrous, puberulous, or minutely lepidote; lower surface pale green, dull, covered with minute transparent scales, venation prominent; petioles 1-2 cm long, the petiolules 5-10 mm long, both with 2 rows of crimped hairs. Flowers fragrant, in pendulous, terminal racemes or panicles, 10-30 cm long; peduncles and pedicels pubescent. Calyx simple, green, crateriform, 5-7 mm long, truncate at the apex or minutely denticulate; corolla white, infundibuliform, 2.5-5.5 cm long, the tube yellow inside, the lobes 5, rounded, ca. 1.5 cm long. Capsule woody, elliptical, 6.5-13 × 1.7-3.5 cm, somewhat compressed or subcylindrical, with the apex and base acute; seeds numerous, compressed, ca. 2.5 cm long, the central circular body ca. 7 mm in diameter, with a surrounding marginal hyaline wing.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting almost throughout the year, especially from November to July.

Status: Native, very common in southwestern Puerto Rico.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 982; 2203; 4660; 5403; 7010; 10557; 11822; Britton, N.L. 1268; 1771; 5849; Goll, G.P. 500; 694; Heller, A.A. 341; Shafer, J.A. 2789; Sintenis, P. 577; 2116; 2173; 3091; 3187; 3304; 6819; Underwood, L.M. 459.
less ↑

Schlegelia brachyantha Griseb., Cat. Pl. Cub. 191. 1866.

Fig. 152. A-E

Synonyms: Schlegelia brachyantha var. portoricensis Urb.

Schlegelia portoricensis (Urb.) Britton

Schlegelia axillaris sensu A. Stahl, non Griseb.

Woody vine, 10-15 m in length, climbing by adventitious roots that are produced in the area of the nodes. Stems cylindrical, lenticellate, up to 5 cm in diameter. Leaves opposite; blades simple, 6-12 × 3-7 cm, elliptical, oblong, or obovate, coriaceous, fragile, glabrous, the apex obtuse or rounded, sometimes retuse, the base acute, obtuse, or rounded, the margins smooth, revolute; upper surface dark, shiny, with the midvein sunken; lower surface yellowish green, with a prominent midvein; petioles recurved, thick, grayish, 8-12 mm long. Flowers in small axillary racemes; pedicels pubescent, 4-8 mm long. Calyx green, campanulate, truncate, ca. 5 mm long; corolla white or pink with mulberry-colored lines inside, tubular, 15-18 mm long, the limb with 5 rounded lobes, unequal; stamens 4, exserted, 2 fertile, 2 staminodia. Berry globose, purple when ripe, 6-10 mm in diameter; seeds angular, surrounded by the pulp of the fruit.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year, particularly from March to August, and fruiting in June.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2964; Britton, N.L. 5534; 6383; Eggers, B. 1318; Liogier, A.H. 10762; 28533; Sargent, F.H. 312; Shafer, J.A. 3446; Sintenis, P. 3075; Stevenson, J.A. 5233.
less ↑

Matelea maritima (Jacq.) Woodson, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 28: 222. 1941.

Fig. 29. A-D

Basionym: Asclepias maritima Jacq.

Synonym: Ibatia maritima (Jacq.) Decne.

Slightly woody vine, twining, 5-7 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems densely pubescent and sulcate when young, whitish and corky when mature, 4 mm or more in diameter. Leaves opposite; blades 4-10.5 × 3-7.5 cm, ovate, chartaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base cordiform, the margins entire; upper surface dull, pubescent, with 2 (3-7) acicular glands in the area adjacent to the petiole; lower surface pale, densely pubescent, the venation yellowish; petioles cylindrical, densely pubescent, 2-7 cm long. Flowers few, in small axillary cymes. Calyx green, rotate, ca. 2 mm in diameter, the sepals ovate or lanceolate, pubescent; corolla rotate, greenish, 4-6 mm in diameter, the petals ovate, not imbricate; corona yellowish green, with short and rounded lobes. Follicles ovoid-fusiform, green, 5-8 × 3.5-4.5 cm, pubescent, verrocose; seeds numerous, brown, with long, white, silky hairs.

Phenology: Flowering from October to November and fruiting from December to March.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 652; 903; 1034; 2737; 4076; 4674; Britton, N.L. 1641; 1932; Goll, G.P. 750; Proctor, G.R. 46582; Shafer, J.A. 2657; Sintenis, P. 2174; 3208.
less ↑

Matelea sintenisii (Schltr.) Woodson, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 28: 226. 1941.

Fig. 29. E-H

Basionym: Gonolobus sintenisii Schltr.

Synonym: Vincetoxicum sintenisii (Schltr.) Britton

Herbaceous vine, twining, 3-4 m in length, with little or no milky latex. Stems slender, cylindrical, pubescent with retrorse hairs, 2 mm or less in diameter. Leaves opposite; blades 3-6.5 × 1-3 cm, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, membranaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base rounded, truncate, or subcordiform, the margins entire or crenate; upper surface dark green, with two acicular glands at the union with the petiole; lower surface light green, glabrous or puberulous, with notable reticulate venation; petioles 1-2 cm long, with 2 lines of hairs along the upper surface. Flowers few, arranged in sessile or subsessile cymes; pedicels ca. 5 mm long, pubescent. Calyx green, crateriform, of 5 ovate sepals, ca. 1.5 mm long; corolla rotate, light green, the petals free to the base, lanceolate-triangular, not imbricate, 3.5-5 mm long; corona annular. Fruits fusiform, green, to 14 cm long, smooth; seeds numerous, spathulate, dark brown, ca. 4 mm long, with the margin verrocose and a long tuft of white hairs.

Phenology: Collected in flower in March and April.

Status: Endemic to Puerto Rico, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7792; 7819; Britton, N.L. 1076; 2040; 2600; Liogier, A.H. 28598.
less ↑

Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl.) Miers, Proc. Roy. Hort. Soc. 3: 188. 1863.

Fig. 47. A-E

Basionym: Bignonia venusta Ker Gawl.

Synonym: Pyrostegia ignea (Vell.) K. Presl

Liana that climbs by tendrils, 5-7 m in length. Stems angular to subcylindrical, striate, puberulent or lepidote, interpetiolar zone not glandular; cross section of the mature stem with peripheral phloem tissue not forming a cross. Leaves opposite, 2- or 3-foliolate, sometimes with a trifid, deciduous tendril; leaflets 4-6 × 2.5-4 cm, ovate, chartaceous, lepidote or puberulent, with numerous resinous dots on both surfaces, the apex acute, the base rounded, the margins undulate, revolute; upper surface dark, slightly shiny, with the venation slightly prominent; lower surface light green, dull, with a prominent midvein, without domatia; petioles and petiolules glabrous or puberulous, the petioles 1.5-2.5 cm long, angular, the petiolules 1-1.5 cm long, sulcate on the upper surface; pseudostipules inconspicuous. Flowers numerous in terminal panicles; pedicels 0.6-15 cm long. Calyx green, broadly campanulate, 4-4.5 mm long, subtruncate or 5-denticulate and ciliate at the apex; corolla redorange, tubular, 5.5-6.5 cm long, the tube glabrous externally, puberulent inside, the limb 2.9-4 cm in diameter, with 5 lobes, 1-1.5 cm long; stamens exserted, yellow; ovary oblong, ca. 4 mm long, glabrous or lepidote. Capsule linear, compressed, coriaceous, light brown, 25-30 cm long, with the midvein slightly prominent; seeds numerous, 1.2-1.4 cm long, the wings brown with the margins hyaline.

Phenology: Collected in flower in January and February.

Status: Exotic, cultivated, common.
less ↑

Amphilophium paniculatum (L.) Kunth in Humb. Bonpl. & Kunth, Nov. Gen. Sp. (quarto ed.) 3: 149. 1819.

Fig. 3. C, 43. A-C

Basionym: Bignonia paniculata L.

Liana that climbs by tendrils and attains 5-10 m in length. Stems up to 10 cm in diameter, the bark fibrous, vertically striate; cross section of the mature stem cylindrical, with a cross of 4(-5) dark arms, formed by the phloem tissue; branches acutely hexagonal, with ribbed margins, lepidote or with dendroid pubescence; pseudostipules foliaceous, 3-10 mm long, early deciduous. Leaves 2-foliolate, with a terminal tendril, filiform, trifid, early deciduous; leaflets 2.5-16 × 2.1-10.7 cm, ovate to suborbicular, membranaceous, the apex acuminate or obtuse, the base truncate or asymmetrically cordiform, the margins entire; upper surface with minute, discoid, peltate scales, sometimes pubescent; lower surface with minute discoid, peltate scales, with the veins pubescent; petioles and petiolules hexagonal, with lepidote or dendroid pubescence; petiole 2.3-7.1 cm long; petiolules 0.6-4.3 cm long. Flowers fragrant, produced in terminal panicles, with deciduous bracts, the axes lepidote or with dendroid pubescence. Calyx double, the interior margin 2-or 3-labiate, short, the outer 5-labiate, undulate, 7-12 mm long, densely lepidote; corolla white with a purple tinge, tubular, bilabiate, 2.4-3.5 cm long, the tube split for 1/3 - 2/3 of its length, the 2 upper lobes united, ca. 1 mm long, the 3 lower lobes united, 1.3-1.8 cm long; stamens inserted; ovary ovate-cylindrical, 2-3 mm long, with an annular-pulvinate disc at the base. Capsules elliptical, compressed, 3.9-9.5 cm long, verrucoselenticellate, lepidote; seeds numerous, 1-1.9 cm wide, with a membranaceous wing on each side.

Phenology: Collected in flower from August to October.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 10457; 10620; Sintenis, P. 2092; Stevenson, J.A. 2493.
less ↑

Arrabidaea chica (Humb. & Bonpl.) Verl., Rev. Hort. 40: 154. 1868.

Fig. 43. D-G

Basionym: Bignonia chica Humb. & Bonpl.

Synonym: Adenocalymna portoricensis A. Stahl

Liana that climbs by tendrils and attains 15 m in length. Stems quadrangular, striate, glabrous, 4-sulcate, up to 6 cm in diameter; cross section of the mature stem with a cross of 4 dark arms, formed by the phloem tissue. Pseudostipules inconspicuous. Leaves turning reddish on drying, 2-3-foliolate, the terminal leaflet replaced by a simple, deciduous, filiform, spiral-shaped tendril; lateral leaflets 3.4-11 × 1.5-5 cm, ovate, chartaceous, glabrous or with some scattered hairs, the apex acuminate or acute, the base truncate, rounded, or cordiform, the margins entire; lower surface with a prominent midvein; petioles 1.5-7 cm long, petiolules 0.3-4.5 cm long, both cylindrical and turning blackish on drying. Flowers fragrant, produced in terminal panicles. Calyx simple, 3-5 mm long, puberulent, crateriform, truncate or minutely denticulate; corolla violet, zygomorphic, infundibuliform, 1.5-3 cm long, with the lobes rounded; stamens and staminodia inserted, borne near the base of the corolla; ovary cylindrical, lepidote, with a small annular disc at the base. Capsules linear or narrowly elliptical, 12-23 cm long, smooth, glabrous, semi-woody, acute or obtuse at both ends; seeds numerous, 7-9 mm long, the wings lateral.

Phenology: Collected in fruit in March.

Status: Native, rare, probably extirpated in Puerto Rico, since it has not been collected there in more than a century.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2105; Sintenis, P. 1096; Stahl, A. 79.
less ↑

Cydista aequinoctialis (L.) Miers, Proc. Roy. Hort. Soc. London 3: 191. 1863.

Fig. 3. B; 44. A-D

Basionym: Bignonia aequinoctialis L.

Liana that climbs by tendrils and attains 15 m in length. Stems cylindrical, up to 6 cm in diameter, the bark grayish, vertically striate; cross section of the mature stem with a cross of 8 dark, marginal arms, formed by the phloem tissue; branches quadrangular, glabrous, pseudostipules absent. Leaves opposite, 2-foliolate, with a terminal tendril, simple, filiform, early deciduous; lateral leaflets 5.5-16 × 2.5-9 cm, ovate, oblong, or elliptical, chartaceous, the apex obtuse, acute, or acuminate, the base obtuse to subcordiform, the margins entire; upper surface glabrous; lower surface with punctiform scales, without domatia; petioles and petiolules quadrangular, pubescent or glabrous, the petiole 0.9-4.5 cm long, the petiolules 0.8-4 cm long. Flowers fragrant, produced in axillary or terminal panicles. Calyx yellowish, crateriform, simple, 4-10 mm long, pubescent or with punctiform scales, the apex truncate or denticulate; corolla zygomorphic, tubular-campanulate, 2.5-7.5 cm long, the tube slightly compressed, narrow at the base, white, yellow inside, the lobes rounded, lilac, the throat yellow with violet lines; stamens inserted; ovary cylindrical, 2-3 mm long, without a disc at the base. Capsules linear, 21-43 × 1.5-2.4 cm, prominent on the margins; seeds numerous, semicircular, membranaceous, 1.5-3.8 cm long, with two membranaceous wings.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year.

Status: Native, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Heller, A.A. 4447; Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2810; Axelrod, F. 9761; 9814; 10726; Britton, N.L. 8614; Heller, A.A. 1027; Sintenis, P. 945; 5764; Stevenson, J.A. 1752; Underwood, L.M. 261; Woodbury, R.O. 7696.
less ↑

Jasminum fluminense Vell., Fl. Flumin. 10. 1825 [1829].

Fig. 130. A-D

Synonym: Jasminum azoricum sensu Urb., Britton, non L.

Woody vine, twining, attainig 4-6 m in length. Stems cylindrical, pubescent, attaining 1 cm in diameter, glabrescent when mature. Lateral branches numerous. Leaves opposite, trifoliolate, 5-10 cm long; leaflets 2-5 × 2-3.5 cm (terminal leaflet larger than the lateral ones), broadly ovate, involute, the apex acute or acuminate, the base subtruncate, the margins entire; upper surface puberulent; lower surface with the midvein prominent, barbate in the axils of the secondary veins; petioles and petiolules pubescent, the petioles 0.5-2 cm long. Inflorescences of axillary cymes with numerous fragrant flowers; peduncles 3-4 cm long; pedicels 3-4 mm long, densely pubescent. Calyx green, ca. 3 mm long, campanulate, with 4-9 small acuminate lobes; corolla white, hypocrateriform, 1.5-2.5 cm long, with 4-9 lobes; stamens 2; ovary 4-lobate, the stigma bilobate. Fruit a purple or almost black berry, shiny, globose, 5-8 mm in diameter.

Phenology: Flowering from December to September and fruiting from January to August.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2892; 3839; 6978; 7084; 7872; 11245; 11479.
less ↑

Jasminum multiflorum (Burm.f.) Andrews, Bot. Repos. 8: part 102, t. 496. 1807.

Fig. 131. A-F

Basionym: Nyctanthes multiflora Burm. f.

Synonym: Jasminum pubescens (Retz.) Willd.

Clambering shrub, 2-5 m in length. Stems slender, tomentose. Leaves opposite, simple, 3-7 × 2-3.5 cm, ovate, the apex acute, the base subtruncate or cordiform, the margins entire; upper surface glabrous; lower surface tomentose, especially on the veins; petioles tomentose, 6-12 mm long. Inflorescences of axillary cymes, sessile, with numerous fragrant sessile flowers; bracts and bracteoles densely pubescent. Calyx green, ca. 1 cm long, infundibuliform, tomentose, with numerous linear lobes; corolla white, hypocrateriform, ca. 2 cm long, with 4-9 oblong lobes; stamens 2; ovary 4-lobate, the stigma bilobate. Fruits not observed on any of the collections from Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.

Phenology: Collected in flower from October to April.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 1892; 3854; 4672; 10710; Britton, N.L. 1503; Croat, T.B. 60924; Goll, G.P. 189; 360; 759; Heller, A.A. 383; Sargent, F.H. 327; Shafer, J.A. 3012; Sintenis, P. 171; 5422.
less ↑

Jasminum sambac (L.) Soland. in Ait., Hort. Kew. ed. 1, 1: 8. 1789.

Fig. 131. G-I

Basionym: Nyctanthes sambac L.

Erect or clambering shrub, 1-2 m in length. Stems slender, puberulent, glabrous when mature. Leaves opposite, simple, 3.5-10.5 × 3-5.8 cm, elliptical, the apex obtuse, mucronate, the base obtuse to rounded, the margins entire; upper surface glabrous, except for the midvein, which is puberulent; lower surface glabrous, with the midvein prominent, barbate on the secondary veins; petioles pubescent, 5-7 mm long. Inflorescences of axillary cymes, longpedunculate, with few fragrant flowers; peduncle and pedicels pubescent. Calyx green, ca. 1 cm long, infundibuliform, tomentose, with 7-10 linear lobes; corolla white, hypocrateriform, the tube 1-1.4 cm long, the lobes 5, elliptical, 1-1.3 cm long. Fruits not observed.

Phenology: Collected in flower during September.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized(according to Liogier, 1995), uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Stevenson, J.A. 255.
less ↑

Congea tomentosa Roxb., Pl. Coromandel. 3: 90. 1820.

Fig. 161. A-C

Twining liana, with numerous lateral branches, short, divaricate, usually pendulous, attainig 10-15 m in length. Stems cylindrical, sericeous-tomentose; stipules absent. Leaves opposite, 5-13(18.5) × 3-7.5(9.5) cm, ellipticovate or ovate, coriaceous, the apex shortacuminate, acute, or obtuse, the base rounded or subcordiform, sometimes asymmetrical, the margins entire or remotely sinuate; upper surface puberulent, dark green, dull; lower surface whitetomentose, with the venation quite prominent; petioles 5-13 mm long, lanate-tomentose. Inflorescences at the end of the short lateral branches, forming an inflorescence with a marked transition from leaves to bracts; bracts at the base of the branches of the inflorescence ca. 1 cm long, elliptical; axes lanate-tomentose, glabrescent; bracts of the involucre 3(4), expanded or reflexed, connate at the base, 2.3-4 × 0.8-1.4 cm, elliptical or oblong, pink or lilac toward the apex, green at the base, white-tomentose, with prominent venation. Flowers sessile, in groups of (5)7(9). Calyx infundibuliform, 5-7 mm long, light green, white-lanate-tomentose; corolla tubular, bilabiate, slightly longer than the calyx, white, glabrous, the upper lobes oblong, ca. 3 mm long, the basal lobes shorter and rounded; filaments longexserted, reddish brown or purple; ovary obovoid, glabrous, the style as long as the filaments. Fruit unknown.

Phenology: Collected in flower from January to March.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, although not very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7121; 9460.
less ↑

Holmskioldia sanguinea Retz., Obs. 6: 31. 1791.

Fig. 161. D-E

Scandent or erect shrub, with numerous basal branches, attainig 2 m in length. Stems obtusely quadrangular or cylindrical, puberulent, grayish; stipules absent. Leaves opposite, 3-12 × 1.5-8.5 cm, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, chartaceous, the apex acuminate or acute, the base cuneate or truncate, the margins serrate; upper surface puberulent, dark green, dull; lower surface puberulent, pale green, with numerous dots, the venation prominent; petioles 8-30 mm long, puberulent. Inflorescences of racemes or less frequently panicles, axillary or terminal, up to 5 cm long; bracts minute; pedicels 2.5-8 mm long, slender, glandular-pubescent. Calyx acetabuliform, orange, 1.6-2.2 cm in diameter, with minute dots; corolla hypocrateriform, crimson, 1.5-2.5 cm long; stamens slightly exserted, the filaments pink; ovary glabrous, the style as long as the filaments. Fruit globose, brown, verrucose.

Phenology: Collected in flower from November to April.

Status: Exotic, cultivated, rather common, apparently naturalized in areas of the Cordillera Central.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 10533; 10842; Fisher, M.J. 19.
less ↑

Petrea volubilis L., Sp. Pl. 626. 1753.

Fig. 161. F-H

Twining liana or shrub, scandent or less frequently erect, with numerous basal branches, attainig 2-4 m in length. Stems obtusely quadrangular, pubescent or glabrous; stipules absent. Leaves opposite, sometimes whorled, 3-25 × 1.5-11 cm, elliptical, chartaceous, the apex obtuse, rounded-acute, or short-acuminate, the base obtuse or rounded, sometimes slightly asymmetrical, the margins entire, crenate, or sometimes serrate; upper surface glabrous or puberulent, scaberulous, with prominent venation; lower surface puberulent or glabrous, pale green, scaberulous, with numerous resinous dots, the venation prominent; petioles 4-16 mm long, puberulent. Inflorescences of axillary racemes, 10-60 cm long; bracts minute; pedicels 7-18 mm long, slender, puberulent. Calyx infundibuliform, blue-violet or white, the sepals 1.6-2 cm long, connate at the base to form a tube, 3-7 mm long, glabrous or pubescent; corolla infundibuliform, blue-violet or white, 0.6-1.5 cm long, the limb 5-lobate, one of the lobes larger; stamens included; ovary glabrous, the style short. Fruit unknown.

Phenology: Flowering sporadically throughout the year.

Status: Exotic, cultivated.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 4239; 11266.
less ↑

Clerodendrum aculeatum (L.) Schltdtl., Linnaea 6: 750. 1831.

Fig. 159. A-E

Basionym: Volkameria aculeata L.

Erect or scandent shrub attainig 3 m in length. Stems cylindrical, usually striate, puberulent, with 2 or 3 spines, opposite or whorled, in the area of the nodes; stipules absent. Leaves opposite or three per node, 1.5-7 × 0.5-2.6 cm, oblong or ellipticovate, chartaceous, glabrous or puberulent, the apex acute or obtuse, the base cuneate or rounded, the margins entire; upper surface dull, dark green; lower surface pale green, dull, with numerous dots; petioles 2.5-10 mm long, puberulent. Inflorescences of axillary cymes. Calyx campanulate, puberulent, 2.5-4 mm long, the sepals expanded; corolla white, hypocrateriform, 1.4-2.7 cm long, the tube sometimes with a purple tinge; filaments pink, twice as long as the corolla; style purple, as long as the filaments. Drupe ovoid or depressed-ovoid, 5-7 mm long, opening in two halves when ripe.

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

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 681; 1934; 1994; 2818; 3766; 4026; 5140; 5409; 6976; 11059; 11273; 11524.
less ↑

Clerodendrum thomsonae Balf., Edinburgh New Philos. J. 15(2): 233, t. 2. 1862.

Fig. 160. A-D

Slightly woody vine, twining, attainig 3-7 m in length. Stems obtusely quadrangular, puberulent; stipules absent. Leaves opposite, 5.2-14 × 2.7-7 cm, elliptical or lanceolate, chartaceous, the apex acuminate, the base obtuse or rounded, the margins entire or remotely sinuate; upper surface puberulent, dark green, dull; lower surface puberulent, pale green, with numerous dots, the veins prominent; petioles 1-2.8 cm long, sulcate, puberulent. Inflorescences of axillary dichasial cymes; bracts minute, subulate. Calyx more or less urceolate, 1.5-2.5 cm long, white, puberulent, the sepals lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, connate at the base, acuminate at the apex; corolla red or crimson, hypocrateriform, ca. 2 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 in December.

Status: Exotic, cultivated.
less ↑

Tournefortia volubilis L., Sp. Pl. 140. 1753.

Fig. 52. H-K

Synonym: Tournefortia ferruginea Lam.

Twining vine, 2-7 m in length. Stems cylindrical, slender, ferruginous-pubescent to glabrous, lineate-lenticellate when mature. Leaves alternate; blades 3.5-10 × 0.6-3.5 cm, lanceolate, ovate, or less frequently oblong, chartaceous, the apex acuminate or less frequently acute, the base rounded, subcordiform, or less frequently obtuse, sometimes unequal, the margins entire; upper surface pubescent or glabrous, sometimes pustulose, with the venation slightly sunken; lower surface pubescent or less frequently glabrous, pale, with prominent venation; petioles 2-7 mm long. Flowers numerous, sessile or subsessile, in terminal branched scorpioid cymes. Calyx green, crateriform, the sepals subulate, 1-2 mm long, strigose; corolla greenish white or greenish yellow, hypocrateriform, ca. 2 mm long, the tube pubescent outside, the lobes subulate, 1-1.5 mm long; stamens inserted, the anthers sessile. Drupes ovoid, usually 2-4-lobed, ca. 3 mm in diameter, white, with 2-4 circular black spots.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, common.

Commentary: This species can be distinguished with certainty from T. microphylla by the presence of at least some leaves with acuminate apices (some individuals present leaves with acute apices, but leaves with acuminate apices will always be found). Tournefortia volubilis, as a general rule, has the lower surface of the leaves with rather conspicuous venation, while T. microphylla, on the contrary, has inconspicuous venation.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 986; 1083; 10901; Britton, N.L. 271; Liogier, A.H. 31147; Sintenis, P. 640; 1316; 4957; 5221.
less ↑

Tournefortia bicolor Sw., Prodr. 40. 1788.

Fig. 50. A-E

Synonym: Tournefortia laevigata Lam.

Woody vine, twining, attaining 10 m in length. Stems cylindrical, strigose, glabrous when mature, attaining 4-5 cm in diameter. Leaves alternate; blades 4-15 × 2.5-8 cm, lanceolate or elliptical, chartaceous, the apex acute or short-acuminate, the base cuneate or obtuse, the margins entire or crenulate; upper surface glabrous or appressedpubescent or scabrid, puberulous on the venation, lower surface glabrous, with prominent puberulous venation; petioles sulcate, strigulose, 5-25 mm long. Flowers numerous, sessile, in scorpioid cymes, branched, the axes strigose. Calyx green, crateriform, strigose, the sepals subulate, 1.5-2 mm long; corolla white, hypocrateriform, 4-6 mm long, strigose outside, the lobes ovate, spreading, ca. 1 mm long; stamens inserted; ovary ovoid, with 4 chambers, the stigma sessile. Drupe globose, white, ca. 8 mm in diameter, separating into 4 pyrenes on drying.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from February to August.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 4121; Britton, E.G. 2866; Britton, N.L. 339; 6269; Sargent, F.H. B20; Sintenis, P. 1420; 6211.
less ↑

Tournefortia scabra Lam., Ill. 1: 417. 1791.

Fig. 52. E-G

Erect to scandent shrub, 2-5 m in length. Stems cylindrical, slender, < 5 mm in diameter, strigose when young, striate and glabrescent when mature. Leaves alternate; blades 2-5 × 0.5-1.2(1.7) cm, linear, oblong, or narrowly lanceolate, rigidcoriaceous, the apex acute, obtuse, rounded, or retuse, the base obtuse, rounded, or subcordiform, the margins revolute, undulate; upper surface scabrous, with the venation sunken; lower surface scabrous-pubescent, with the reticulate venation prominent; petioles strigose, 1.5-5 mm long. Flowers few, sessile, in scorpioid cymes, scarcely branched, terminal, 5 cm or less long, with strigose axes. Calyx green, crateriform, strigulose, the sepals ovate, ca. 2 mm long; corolla white or yellowish, urceolate-tubular, ca. 2.5 mm long, the tube strigose on the distal portion, the lobes ovate, very short. Drupes subovoid, 5-6 mm in diameter, white.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from November to March.

Status: Native; uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7219; Britton, N.L. 1285; Heller, A.A. 6274; Liogier, A.H. 31136; Sargent, F.H. B71; Shafer, J.A. 1982; Sintenis, P. 3378; Underwood, L.M. 702; Woodbury, R.O. s.n.
less ↑

Cordia bellonis Urb., Symb. Antill. 1: 393. 1899.

Fig. 49. A-F

Synonym: Varronia bellonis (Urb.)Britton

Clambering or recumbent shrub, 2-3 m in length. Stems appressed-pubescent when young, glabrous when mature. Leaves alternate; blades 2-6 × 1-2 cm, elliptical, oblong to sublanceolate, chartaceous, the apex acute, the base acute or obtuse, the margins dentate or denticulate, especially on the distal portion; upper surface with short appressed hairs that give it a scabrid texture, the midvein slightly prominent; lower surface pale green, strigulose-puberulous, with the venation slightly prominent; petioles appressed-pubescent, 4-7 mm long. Flowers few, sessile, arranged in short axillary cymes; peduncle < 6 mm long. Calyx green, turbinate, strigulose, 2-2.5 mm long; corolla white, infundibuliform, glabrous, ca. 4 mm long, the lobes ovate to oblong, almost as long as the tube; stamens and stigmas inserted. Drupe red, ovoid, ca. 3 mm in diameter, with the persistent accrescent calyx covering the lower 1/3 of the fruit.

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

Status: Endemic, listed in the Federal Register of the United States as an endangered species. Locally common at the base of mogotes.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7164; 10709.
less ↑

Cordia polycephala (Lam.) I.M. Johnst., J. Arnold Arbor. 16: 33. 1935.

Fig. 49. G-L

Basionym: Varronia polycephala Lam.

Synonym: Varronia corymbosa (L.)Desv.

Woody shrub, clambering, up to 5 m in length. Stems pubescent when young, cylindrical, attaining 1.5 cm in diameter. Leaves alternate; blades 4-15 × 2-5.5 cm, ovate, lanceolate, or elliptical, coriaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base obtuse or rounded, sometimes unequal, the margins serrate; upper surface scabrous, the venation sunken; lower surface pale green, more or less pubescent, with prominent reticulate venation; petioles pubescent, 5-10 mm long. Flowers numerous, sessile, arranged in terminal or axillary paniculate or corymbose heads. Calyx yellowish green, crateriform, pubescent, 2.5-3 mm long; corolla white, campanulate, 4-5 mm long, the lobes much shorter than the tube, the tube pubescent inside; stamens and stigmas inserted. Drupe red, globose, 3-4 mm in diameter, completely covered by the accrescent calyx.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year, particularly in June and July.

Status: Native, very common.

Commentary: Cordia wagnerorum Howard was originally described as a clambering shrub; nevertheless, the clambering habit seems to be the exception to the rule, since I have only observed this species as an erect shrub. For this reason, this species has been excluded from the present work.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 96; 822; 2059; 3054; 3834; 5174; 10465; 10481; 11219; 11477.
less ↑

Ipomoea violacea L., Sp. Pl. 161. 1753.

Fig. 1. B; 72. I-K

Synonyms: Convolvulus tuba Schltdl.

Calonyction tuba (Schltdl.) Colla

Ipomoea tuba (Schltdl.) G. Don

Ipomoea macranthaRoem. & Schult.

Convolvulus grandiflorus L.f.

Operculina grandiflora (L.f.) House, pro parte

Slightly woody vine, twining, up to 15 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems cylindrical or subtriangular, grayish, with numerous lenticels usually arranged in lines; adult stems up to 3 cm in diameter, cross section with numerous alternating concentric rings of xylem and phloem. Leaves alternate; blades 9-15 × 7-11 cm, glabrous, broadly ovate, sometimes trilobed, fleshy-coriaceous, usually involute, the apex acute or acuminate, mucronate, the base cordiform or deeply cordiform, the margins undulate; upper surface light green, with the venation yellowish; lower surface pale green, shiny, with prominent venation; petioles cylindrical, glabrous, yellowish green, longer than the blade, with a pair of triangular glands at the base of the blade, swollen at the base. Flowers nocturnal, solitary or in simple dichasial cymes, axillary; peduncles cylindrical, up to 7 cm long, with two bracteoles in the upper middle portion. Calyx yellowish green, accrescent, the sepals unequal, 2-2.5 cm long, fleshy, concave, glabrous, the apex obtuse to rounded; corolla white, hypocrateriform, coriaceous, 5-7 cm long, the tube externally yellowish, internally with numerous transparent hairs and cardinal red fringes at the base, the limb 6-7 cm in diameter, with 5 obtuse lobes; stamens and stigmas not exserted. Capsules globose or depressed-globose, yellowish brown, 2.5-3 cm in diameter, with accrescent sepals, persistent at the base; seeds 4, obtusely angular, 1-1.2 cm long, brown, velvety, with a row of hairs along two angles.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year.

Status: Native, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2451; 4007; 4304; 6972; 9458; Britton, N.L. 5043; Fosberg, F.R. 52281; Liogier, A.H. 10799; Sargent, F.H. 3226; Sintenis, P. 1873.
less ↑

Ipomoea wrightii A. Gray, Syn. Fl. N. Amer. 2(1): 213. 1878.

Fig. 72. D-H

Synonym: Ipomoea pulchella sensu Griseb.

Herbaceous vine, annual, twining, climbing, or creeping, 3-4 m in length. Stems cylindrical, slender, glabrous, sometimes with minute spiniform projections. Leaves alternate, palmately compound; leaflets 5, lanceolate or oblonglanceolate, 1-4 cm long, glabrous, chartaceous, the apex acute, the base acuminate, the margins entire; upper surface sparsely punctate, with the midvein slightly prominent; lower surface pale green, with prominent venation, punctate or foveolate; petioles 2-6 cm long, slender, glabrous, with minute spiniform projections. Flowers usually solitary, axillary; peduncles 2-4 cm long, filiform, sinuate or spirally twisted; pedicels thick, claviform, 0.6-1.5 cm long, usually verrucose on the upper portion; bracts deltate, ca. 1 mm long. Calyx light green, not accrescent, the sepals equal, 5-7 mm long, ovate, glabrous, verrucose, the apex obtuse or rounded and mucronate; corolla pale violet or purple, infundibuliform, 1.5-2 cm long, the limb 1.5-1.7 cm in diameter, with 5 obtuse lobes; stamens and stigmas not exserted. Capsule conical, 1-1.5 cm long, glabrous, the pericarp thin; seeds 4 per fruit, elongate, obtusely triangular, tomentulose, ca. 1 cm long.

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

Status: Apparently exotic, rare.

Selected Specimens Examined: Sintenis, P. 3619.
less ↑

Solanum lanceifolium Jacq., Collectanea 2: 286. 1788 [1789].

Fig. 155. A-D

Woody vine, scandent, that supports itself on the host plants by means of recurved spines and attains 2-6 m in length. Stems cylindrical, stellatepubescent, with few or numerous recurved spines, yellowish. Leaves alternate, 10-18 × 3.7-7 cm, lanceolate, ovate, or elliptical, chartaceous, the apex acute, obtuse, or acuminate, the base obtuse or rounded, asymmetrical, the margins entire; upper surface dull, with some scattered stellate hairs, with the venation flat or slightly prominent; lower surface light green, dull, sparsely stellatepubescent, with prominent venation, the midvein with yellowish recurved spines; petioles stellatepubescent, 1-5 cm long, usually with recurved spines. Flowers in lateral racemes, 2-4 cm long, stellate-pubescent; pedicels stellate-pubescent, 1.5-1.7 cm long. Calyx green, campanulate, stellate-pubescent, 4.5-5 mm long, of 5 subulate sepals; corolla white, deeply lobate, stellatepubescent on the outer surface, the tube ca. 1.5 mm long, the lobes 8-11 mm long, oblong, oblonglanceolate, or ovate, expanded or slightly reflexed; anthers subulate, connivent, 6.2-6.5 mm long, yellow; style projecting beyond the anthers, the stigma capitate. Berry globose, fleshy, brilliant red or orange when ripe, 0.9-1.3 cm in diameter, glabrous. Seeds numerous, circular, flattened, yellowish, 3.2-3.5 mm in diameter.

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

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 906; 1857; 2417; 2848; 4112; 5108.
less ↑

Allamanda cathartica L., Mant. 214. 1771.

Fig. 18. A-D

Shrub or woody vine, clambering or sometimes twining, much branched, 2-8 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems grayish, cylindrical, glabrous or puberulous. Leaves in whorls of 3 or 4; blades 8-13 × 1.5-3.5 cm, oblong, elliptical or oblanceolate, coriaceous, the apex acuminate, the base acute, the margins undulate and revolute; upper surface glabrous, dark green, shiny, with a prominent midvein; lower surface yellowish green, with the midvein thickened, prominent, and puberulous; petioles 5-10 mm long; stipules transformed into 4 small intrapetiolar glands. Flowers in axillary cymes, few-flowered. Calyx greenish, of 5 lanceolate sepals, 12-18 mm long; corolla infundibuliform, yellow, the tube 7-9 cm long, the limb ca. 8 cm in diameter, with five rounded, revolute lobes. Capsules ellipsoid, with numerous spines on the outside, infrequent; seeds numerous, oval, compressed, 1.2-1.5 cm long, with a discolorous, wing-like margin.

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

Status: Exotic, naturalized in Puerto Rico.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 9338; Britton, N.L. 1555; Fisher, M.J. 4; Goll, G.P. 389; 965; Sargent, F.H. 748; 3010; Shafer, J.A. 3013; Sintenis, P. 832; 2499; Stevenson, J.A. 1271.
less ↑

Jacquemontia tamnifolia (L.) Griseb., Fl. Brit. W. I. 5: 474. 1862.

Fig. 74. I-K

Basionym: Ipomoea tamnifolia L.

Synonym: Thyella tamnifolia (L.)Raf.

Slightly woody vine, twining, climbing, or creeping, attaining 5 m in length, with watery latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, hirsute or glabrescent, with malpighiaceous or simple hairs. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 3-10 × 1.5-3.7 cm, ovate, chartaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base truncate to cordiform, the margins entire or sinuate; upper surface green, punctate; lower surface pale green, with prominent venation; petioles slender, pubescent or glabrous, 1-4 cm long. Flowers in compact cymes, forming a head; peduncles longer than the petioles; bracts foliaceous, ovate, ca. 2.5 cm long, forming an involucre. Calyx green, the sepals lanceolate, 10-15 mm long, hirsute, acuminate at the apex; corolla white, turning lavender or pale blue, infundibuliform, as long as the sepals; stamens and stigmas white, not exserted. Capsules globose, 4-5 mm long, light brown, glabrous, with the sepals persistent at the base; seeds obtusely triangular, ca. 2 mm long, light brown, glabrous.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from November to February.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7024; Axelrod, F. 10844; Britton, N.L. 4011; Goll, G.P. 176; Heller, A.A. 4400; 6437; Howard, R.A. 17306; Sintenis, P. 692; Stevenson, J.A. 271; 529.
less ↑

Merremia dissecta (Jacq.) H. Hallier, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 16: 552. 1893.

Fig. 75. H-K

Basionym: Convolvulus dissectus Jacq.

Slightly woody vine, twining, much branched, 2-5 m in length, with scarce milky or watery latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, striate, hirsute when young, glabrous when mature. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 4-7 × 1.2-3 cm, 7-9-palmatilobed, divided almost to the base, chartaceous, glabrous, the lobes sinuate to sinuate-dentate, lanceolate or elliptical in outline, acuminate and mucronate toward the apex, the lower lobes sometimes again lobate; petioles slender, pilose or glabrous, 2.5-4 cm long. Flowers solitary or occasionally in cymes; peduncles as long as the petioles; bracts deciduous. Calyx green, the sepals unequal, 2-2.2 cm long, lanceolate to rounded, glabrous, hyaline; corolla white, with the center reddish, infundibuliform, 3-4 cm long, the tube light yellow, the limb pentagonal, 3.5-4 cm in diameter; stamens and stigmas yellow, not exserted. Capsules depressed-globose, 1-1.5 cm wide, opening by 4 hyaline valves, brown, glabrous, with accrescent sepals, ca. 3 cm long, persistent; seeds obtusely and asymmetrically pyramidal, 5-7 mm long, dull black, glabrous.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year and fruiting from August to December.

Status: Native, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 691; 1987; 5413; 7006; 7012; 11373; 11461; Cowles, H.T. 205; Webster, G.L. 8984.
less ↑

Merremia tuberosa (L.) Rendle in Dyer, Fl. Trop. Afr. 4: 104. 1905.

Fig. 76. E-G

Basionym: Ipomoea tuberosa L.

Woody vine, climbing, twining, 10-15 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems thick, cylindrical, glabrous. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 7-12 × 6-11 cm, 7-palmatilobed, the lobes elliptical, long-acuminate at the apex, the base cordiform, the margins revolute, slightly sinuate; upper surface dark green, slightly shiny, glabrous, with the venation sunken; lower surface pale green, dull, glabrous or puberulous, with the venation yellowish, prominent; petioles as long as the blade, cylindrical, glabrous or puberulous. Flowers functionally unisexual, solitary or in simple dichasia. Calyx yellowish green, the sepals unequal, 2-3 cm long, fleshy, accrescent and woody once the fruit is formed; corolla yellow, infundibuliform, 4-5 cm long, the limb 4-5 cm in diameter; stamens exserted, the anthers white; stigma bilobed, green, exserted. Capsules ovoid, opening irregularly, 1.5-2.5 cm long, light brown, with the sepals persistent and accrescent at the base; seeds 4 per fruit, black, obtusely trigonal, 1-1.5 cm long, velvety.

Phenology: Flowering from October to December and fruiting from November to March.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 5352; Liogier, A.H. 31166.
less ↑

Merremia umbellata (L.) H. Hallier, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 16: 552. 1893.

Fig. 76. H-L

Basionym: Convolvulus umbellatus L.

Synonym: Ipomoea polyanthes Willd. exRoem. & Schult.

Slightly woody vine, climbing or creeping, twining, attaining 5 m in length, with scarce milky latex. Stems slender, cylindrical, glabrous or pubescent, green or copper-colored, with a pair of spiniform projections at the nodes. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 4-17 × 5-12 cm, ovate or lanceolate, chartaceous, glabrous, the apex obtuse, acute, or short-acuminate and mucronate, the base cordiform or sagittate, the margins undulate; upper surface yellowish green, dull, glabrous, with the venation sunken, covered with minute white hairs; lower surface glabrous, with the veins puberulous; petioles cylindrical, usually longer than the blade, pubescent. Flowers in umbelliform cymes, axillary; peduncles shorter than the petioles, angular or cylindrical, puberulous, sometimes with winged projections; pedicels ca. 2 cm long, puberulous. Calyx green, the sepals unequal, 1-1.5 cm long, glabrous, overlapping, ovate or rounded; corolla brilliant yellow, infundibuliform, 2.5-3 cm long, the limb ca. 3 cm in diameter, with obtuse lobes; stamens white, not exserted; stigmas greenish, slightly exserted. Capsule globose, 4-valvate, ca. 1 cm long, brown, covered by the persistent sepals; seeds obtusely trigonal, 5-8 mm long, brown, velvety, with a line of longer hairs on two of the margins.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from November to April and sometimes later in the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2467; 2472; 4019; 4103; 5402; 6991; Britton, N.L. 10050; Goll, G.P. 499; Sargent, F.H. 90; Shafer, J.A. 2884; Sintenis, P. 829; Stevenson, J.A. 1148.
less ↑

Merremia quinquefolia (L.) H. Hallier, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 16: 552. 1893.

Fig. 76. A-D

Synonym: Ipomoea quinquefolia L.

Herbaceous vine, creeping or climbing, twining, 2-3 m in length, with scarce watery latex. Stems slender, cylindrical, sparsely hirsute or glabrous, sometimes with a reddish or mulberrycolored tonality. Leaves alternate, (3-)5-palmately compound, chartaceous; leaflets 2-7 × 0.5-1.2 cm, elliptical or lanceolate, glabrous, the apex acuminate, mucronate, the base acute and sessile, the margins serrate; upper surface green, dull, glabrous, with the venation sunken; lower surface pale green, dull, glabrous, with prominent venation; petioles slender, 1-3 cm long, hispid or glabrous. Flowers solitary or in simple dichasia; peduncles as long as the petioles, glandularpubescent; pedicels slender, 8-15 mm long; bracts minute. Calyx green, the sepals unequal, ca. 1 cm long, glabrous, oblong, the apex obtuse; corolla pale yellow or white, infundibuliform, 2-2.2 cm long, the limb with obtuse lobes, slightly reflexed; stamens and stigmas pale yellow, not exserted. Capsules depressed-globose, opening by 4 valves, 0.7-1 cm long, light brown, glabrous; seeds obtusely trigonal, 3-4.5 mm long, black, covered with whitish lanate hairs.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year, especially from November to May.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 690; 2296; 3081; 3895; 5342; 7019; Garcia, J. Goll, G.P. 520; Liogier, A.H. 10808.
less ↑

Turbina corymbosa (L.) Raf., Fl. Tellur. 11: 81. 1838.

Fig. 2. D; 79. A-G

Basionym: Convolvulus corymbosus L.

Synonym: Rivea corymbosa (L.) H. Hallier

Woody vine, twining, much branched from the base, attaining 10 m or more in length, with scarce watery latex. Stems glabrous or pubescent, cylindrical when young, compressed, angular, or sulcate when mature, up to 3 cm in diameter, the bark grayish, with numerous dark lenticels; cross section of the stem polystelic, with peripheral vascular cylinders of different diameters. Leaves alternate; blades 3-10 × 2.7-5.5 cm, ovate, chartaceous, the apex acute, short-acuminate, or acuminate, the base cordiform, the margins entire, slightly undulate; upper surface dark green, slightly shiny, glabrous, the venation flat; lower surface pale green, dull, glabrous or puberulous, with a prominent midvein; petioles 1.5-6 cm long, slender, cylindrical, glabrous. Flowers numerous in axillary corymbs. Calyx green, the sepals oblong, 10-12 mm long, coriaceous, acute at the apex; corolla 2.5-3 cm long, white, infundibuliform, the tube yellow internally, except for the dark violet base, the limb with 5 yellowish bands forming a stellate design; stamens white, not exserted, the anthers sagittate; stigmas white, globose, not exserted. Fruits indehiscent, ellipsoid to subovoid, crustaceous, 1-1.5 cm long, the sepals persistent, unequal, accrescent, woody. Seed one, ellipsoid to subglobose, 4-5 mm long, minutely pubescent, light brown.

Phenology: Flowering from the end of October to January and in May, and fruiting in January and February.

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 5239; 7241; 9391; 10774; Britton, N.L. 6013; Sargent, F.H. 109; Sintenis, P. 5800.
less ↑

Jacquemontia havanensis (Jacq.) Urb., Symb. Antill. 3: 342. 1902.

Fig. 73. G-I

Basionym: Convolvulus havanensis Jacq.

Synonym: Jacquemontia jamaicensis (Jacq.) H. Hallier ex Soler.

Slightly woody vine, twining, attaining 2 m in length, without milky latex. Stem branched from the base, slender, cylindrical, densely covered with white, stellate hairs. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 1.5-5 × 0.5-1.5 cm, lanceolate, oblong, ovate, or linear, coriaceous, sparsely stellate-pubescent, the apex obtuse and mucronate, the base truncate or rounded, usually unequal, the margins revolute; upper surface with the venation sunken; lower surface with prominent venation; petioles slender, 6-12 mm long, slightly compressed, stellate-pubescent. Flowers in compound dichasial cymes, axillary, shorter than the leaves. Calyx green, crateriform, the sepals unequal, 4-5 mm long, puberulous, ovate to oblanceolate, the apex apiculate; corolla white, sometimes with a pink tinge at the margins, infundibuliform, 1-1.3 cm long, the limb with deep, obtuse lobes; stamens and stigmas white, slightly exserted. Capsules ovoid or ellipsoid, 5- 6 mm long, with the sepals persistent at the base; seeds triangular, 2-2.3 mm long, brown, glabrous, with a short marginal wing, membranaceous.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting almost throughout the year, particularly from November to March.

Status: Native, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2348; 4077; 4177; 4392; 5294; 7007; 7142; 7220; 7763; 7770; 7896; 10797; 10965; 11011; 11026; 11077; Axelrod, F. 9448; Britton, N.L. 217; 4696; 4988; Heller, A.A. 6425; Johnston, J.R. 737; Liogier, A.H. 10638; 1565; Sargent, F.H. 167; Shafer, J.A. 2815; Sintenis, P. 3453; Stevenson, J.A. 1244.
less ↑

Jacquemontia cumanensis (Kunth) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 441. 1891.

Fig. 73. D-F

Basionym: Convolvulus cumanenis Kunth

Slightly woody vine, twining, much branched from the base, up to 2 m in length, without latex. Stems slender, cylindrical, ferruginous-tomentose. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 1.2-4 × 0.8-2.6 cm, broadly ovate, chartaceous, the apex obtuse or acute, the base cordiform, the margins sinuate; upper and lower surface tomentose; petioles 0.8-2 cm long, tomentose. Flowers in compound dichasia; peduncles 1.5-3 cm long; bracts elliptical, ca. 5 mm long. Calyx green, crateriform, the sepals 8-10 mm long, tomentose, broadly ovate or deltate, acuminate at the apex; corolla violet-blue to almost violet, with white lines forming a star inside, rotate, the limb 2.2-2.5 cm in diameter, pentagonal in outline and with the margins reflexed; stamens and pistil white, exserted. Capsule globose, ca. 5 mm in diameter, brown, glabrous, with the sepals persistent at the base; seeds obtusely triangular, ca. 4 mm long, brown, glabrous.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from September to March.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3964; 3971; 3973; 4237; 7882; 11423; Axelrod, F. 9562; Britton, N.L. 1894; 1934; Liogier, A.H. 10605; 35705; Sargent, F.H. 141; Shafer, J.A. 2918; Woodbury, R.O. 236.
less ↑

Jacquemontia solanifolia (L.) H. Hallier, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 16: 542. 1893.

Fig. 74. E-H

Basionym: Ipomoea solanifolia L.

Synonyms: Ipomoea filiformis Jacq.

Exogonium solanifolium (L.) Britton

Slightly woody vine, twining, branched from the base, attaining 2 m in length and not producing latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, densely covered with white trifid hairs when young. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 3-6 × 1.5-3.7 cm, lanceolate, chartaceous, sparsely covered with white trifid hairs on both surfaces, the apex obtuse, acute, or mucronate, the base cordiform, rounded, obtuse, or truncate, the margins revolute; upper surface dark green; lower surface pale green, with prominent venation; petioles slender, pubescent, 1.5-4 cm long, canaliculate. Flowers sparse, in elongate cymes; peduncles 2-4 cm long; bracts subulate, ca. 5 mm long. Calyx green, crateriform, the sepals unequal, 4-5 mm long, ovate or rounded, glabrous; corolla hypocrateriform, crimson, 2-2.5 cm long, with 5 deep lobes, expanded, obtuse, mucronate at the apex; stamens and stigmas white, exserted. Capsules ovoid or conical, 7-8 mm in diameter, brown, with the sepals persistent at the base; seeds obtusely triangular, ca. 4 mm long, brown, glabrous, with a short marginal wing at the vertices.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from November to February.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2663; 3989; 5414; 6999; 9303; 9366; 10804; Axelrod, F. 9437; 9456; Britton, N.L. 1943; 9524; Shafer, J.A. 2687; Sintenis, P. 5681.
less ↑

Jacquemontia verticillata (L.) Urb., Symb. Antill. 3: 339. 1902.

Fig. 74. L-N

Basionym: Ipomoea verticillata L.

Slightly woody vine, twining, 1-2 m in length, with watery latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, appressed-pubescent, with white trifid hairs. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 2.2-4.2 × 0.7-1.5 cm, lanceolate, chartaceous, the apex obtuse, acute, or mucronate, the base cordiform, the margins entire or repand, appressed-pubescent on both surfaces; upper surface dark green; lower surface pale green, with the venation inconspicuous; petioles slender, pubescent or glabrous, 0.7-1 cm long. Flowers in compact dichasial cymes, sessile or subsessile; bracts minute. Calyx green, the sepals subequal, 2-3 mm long, ovate-lanceolate, pubescent or glabrous, acuminate at the apex; corolla pink, lavender, or rarely white, infundibuliform, ca. 6 mm long, the limb deeply 5-lobed; stamens not exserted; stigmas exserted. Capsules ellipsoid, ca. 4 mm long, brown, with the sepals persistent at the base; seeds obtusely triangular, ca. 2 mm long, brown, glabrous.

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

Status: Native, rare.
less ↑

Ipomoea horsfalliae W. Hook., Bot. Mag. t. 3315. 1854.

Fig. 66. A-B

Twining vine, slightly woody, attaining more than 10 m in length, with watery latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, glabrous. Leaves alternate, palmately compound; leaflets 5, elliptical, 5.5-10 × 1.6-2.7 cm (the central leaflet larger than the lateral ones), chartaceous or membranaceous, glabrous, the apex acuminate or long-acuminate, the base acute or acuminate; upper surface glabrous, with the midvein slightly prominent; lower surface glabrous, punctate, with a prominent midvein; petioles 4.5-6 cm long, glabrous, slender. Flowers in double dichasial cymes. Calyx with a reddish tinge, not accrescent, the sepals unequal, 7-10 mm long, elliptical to ovate, obtuse at the apex, the outer ones shorter than the inner ones; corolla infundibuliform, violet-red or bright pink, 4-6.3 cm long, the limb 3.5-4.5 cm in diameter, with 5 rounded lobes; stamens and stigmas not exserted. Capsules ellipsoid, ca. 8 mm in diameter, the pericarp thin; seeds 4 per fruit, light brown, ca. 5 mm long, glabrous.

Phenology: Collected in flower from October to January.

Status: Possibly exotic and naturalized, uncommon.

Commentary:This species forms hybrids with I. repanda and produces plants with 5-digitate leaves and flowers very similar to those of I. repanda. These are cultivated throughout the tropics.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7837; 11451; 11675; 11752.
less ↑

Ipomoea meyeri (Spreng.) G. Don, Gen. Syst. 4: 275. 1838.

Fig. 67. A-E

Basionym: Convolvulus meyeri Spreng.

Herbaceous vine, twining, 3-5 m in length. Stems slender, glabrous or pubescent, cylindrical, with scarce milky latex. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 4-9.5 × 3-7 cm, ovate, broadly ovate, deltate, lyrate, or trilobed, membranaceous, the apex and the lobes acute or acuminate, the base cordiform or sagittate, the margins entire; upper surface with the venation slightly prominent, strigose; lower surface with prominent venation, glabrous; petioles 2.5-6.5 cm long, slender, hirsute, especially at the apex. Flowers solitary, or 2 or 3 in axillary cymes, involucrate; peduncle 2-17 mm long, strigose to glabrescent; bracts of the involucre oblong, 1.5-2 cm long, sparsely hirsute. Calyx green, accrescent, the sepals unequal, 1.2-1.7 cm long, lanceolate, hirsute, especially near the base, long-acuminate at the apex; corolla pale blue, pale violet, or whitish, with the center white, infundibuliform, 1.5-3 cm long, the limb 2.5-3 cm in diameter, with 5 rounded lobes; stamens and stigmas not exserted. Capsules globose, ca. 8 mm in diameter, with the sepals persistent, erect, and accrescent; seeds 4 per capsule, reddish brown, elliptic-cuneiform, ca. 5 mm long, finely pubescent.

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

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Goll, G.P. 745; Heller, A.A. 6225; Sintenis, P. 5533.
less ↑

Ipomoea triloba L., Sp. Pl. 161. 1753.

Fig. 72. A-C

Herbaceous vine, twining or creeping, 2-3 m in length, with scarce milky latex. Stems green, cylindrical, smooth, slender, puberulous. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 3-6 (9) × 3-5 (6.5) cm, ovate to subcircular, usually 3-5-lobed, chartaceous, the apex mucronate, acute, or emarginate, the base cordiform or sagittate, the margins smooth, slightly revolute; upper surface with minute hairs on the veins; lower surface glabrous, with prominent venation; petioles glabrous, somewhat sulcate, 2-4 cm long, with two glandular depressions where they join the blade. Flowers in simple or compound dichasial cymes, axillary; peduncles longer than the petioles, quadrangular, pubescent, tuberculate. Calyx green, not accrescent, the sepals pilose, subequal, ca. 8 mm long, ovate to oblanceolate, the apex acuminate or acute; corolla violet-pink or lavender, usually reddish at the base in the center, infundibuliform or campanulate, 1.4-1.6 cm long, the limb ca. 1 cm in diameter; stamens sagittate, white, two of them shorter, not exserted; stigmas globose, white, not exserted. Capsule depressed-globose, brown, ca. 8 mm in diameter, pilose, with the style persistent; seeds 4 per fruit, 3-5 mm long, glabrous, dark brown to black.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Commentary: In the absence of the corolla, this species can be confused with I. tiliacea in individuals with relatively large and unlobed leaves. Nevertheless, I. triloba is distinguished by having pilose sepals, while those of I. tiliacea are glabrous.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2056; 2314; 3079; 3099; 4200; 5399; 7218; Axelrod, F. 10827; Britton, N.L. 1663; 4975; 6060; Goll, G.P. 797; 800; Heller, A.A. 494; 6222; Prey, N. 51; H. Shafer, J.A. 2851; 3042; Sintenis, P. 827; 3215; 3454; Stevenson, J.A. 2482.
less ↑

Ipomoea repanda Jacq., Enum. Syst. Pl. 13. 1760.

Fig. 69. C-F

Synonym: Exogonium repandum (Jacq.)Choisy

Herbaceous vine, twining, attaining 10 m in length, usually producing abundant milky latex. Roots tuberous, elongate or rounded. Stems slender, glabrous, cylindrical, striate when young, lenticellate on the mature portions. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 5-18 × 1.5-13 cm, glabrous, chartaceous, ovate, lanceolate, or sometimes trilobed, the apex and lobes acute or acuminate, mucronate, the base cordiform, truncate, or rounded, the margins revolute, entire or slightly undulate; upper surface dark green, shiny; lower surface pale green, punctate, with a prominent midvein; petioles 1.5-6 cm long, sulcate, glabrous. Flowers in compound dichasial cymes, pendulous; bracts deciduous. Calyx pink, crateriform, not accrescent, the sepals unequal, 8-10 mm long, ovate, obtuse at the apex; corolla bright pink, hypocrateriform, 4-5.5 cm long, the limb with 5 deep lobes, oblong, obtuse, reflexed; stamens and stigmas pink or white, exserted. Capsules conical to ellipsoid, the pericarp thin, pale brown, 1.2-1.5 cm long, apiculate; seeds 4 per capsule, black, 5-6 mm long, with two sides flat and one convex, with a row of silky hairs longer than the seed at the margins and the apex.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year, especially from June to January.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 163; 620; 2400; 2559; 2563; 2839; 3123; 3128; 7117; Britton, N.L. 1516; 7122; Eggers, B. 1321; Hartley 13328; Howard, R.A. 16812; Liogier, A.H. 10438; Sargent, F.H. 113; Shafer, J.A. 3604; Sintenis, P. 289; 5330; Stevenson, J.A. 1156; Vélez, I. 1480.
less ↑

Ipomoea setifera Poir. in Lam., Encycl. 6: 17. 1804.

Fig. 70. A-B

Synonym: Ipomoea rubra (Vahl) Millsp.

Herbaceous vine, twining, climbing, or creeping, attaining 12 m or more in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, pilose, sometimes with a pink tinge, usually with numerous aerial roots where they enter in contact with the soil. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 4.5-16 (24) × 2.7-6.4, glabrous, chartaceous, oblong or ovate, the apex obtuse, retuse and mucronate, the base cordiform or hastate, the margins revolute, undulate, usually with a pink or purple tinge; upper surface dark green with the midvein slightly prominent; lower surface pale green, minutely punctate, with prominent venation, conspicuously reddish; petioles 10-21 cm long, slender, glabrous, sulcate, usually reddish. Flowers in compound dichasial cymes, axillary; peduncle thick, shorter than the petioles; bracts ovate, 1.5-2 cm long. Calyx light green, crateriform, the sepals ovate, unequal, 12-17 mm long, with 3 parallel veins and prominent like a keel, the apex acuminate, the outer sepals longer than the inner ones; corolla violet-pink with the center darker, infundibuliform, 4-7 cm long, the limb 4-5 cm in diameter, with 5 rounded lobes; stamens pink, not exserted; stigmas pink, exserted. Capsule ovoid, ca. 1 cm in diameter, the pericarp thin, covered by the persistent sepals at the base; seeds 4 per fruit, with two sides flat and one convex, ca. 6 mm long, dark brown to black, tomentulose.

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

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3094; 3764; 5433; Britton, N.L. 1392; 1506; 9428; Fisher, M.J. 7; Goll, G.P. 251; 843; Heller, A.A. 376; 6364; Sargent, F.H. 108; Sintenis, P. 963; Stevenson, J.A. 291; 698.
less ↑

Ipomoea steudelii Millsp., Field Mus. Bot. 2: 86. 1900.

Fig. 70. C-G

Synonyms: Exogonium arenarium Choisy

Ipomoea arenaria (Choisy) Steud., non Roem. &Schult.

Twining vine, slightly woody, much branched from the base, 2-3 m in length, with scarce milky latex (almost imperceptible). Stems cylindrical, slender, light brown, glabrous, striate. Leaves alternate, clustered on short axillary branches; blades simple, 3-18 × 1.3-14 mm, lyrate, reniform, deltate, or deeply 3-5-lobed, membranaceous, glabrous, the apex retuse, with the midvein projecting like a mucro, the base subcordiform, truncate, or cuneate, the margins slightly sinuate; upper surface dark green, dull, glabrous, with the veins flat; lower surface pale green, with the midvein thick and prominent; petioles 2-15 mm long, glabrous, slender. Flowers solitary, at the end of minute axillary branches, which present the scars of the deciduous leaves. Calyx green, the sepals glabrous, unequal, 7-11 mm long, ovate, obtuse at the apex; corolla crimson, hypocrateriform, 3.5-4 cm long, the limb ca. 2.5 cm in diameter, with 5 more or less deep lobes, narrowly deltate; stamens and stigmas exserted. Fruits ellipsoid to subconical, 1-1.2 cm long, light brown; seeds 4 per fruit, dark brown, ca. 5.5 mm long, with a row of whitish silky hairs longer than the seed, at the apex and on the back.

Phenology: Flowering from November to May and fruiting from January to July.

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 4761; 7766; 7867; 10799; Britton, N.L. 30; 1828; 4813; Heller, A.A. 6170; Liogier, A.H. 10481; Sargent, F.H. 561; Shafer, J.A. 2752; Sintenis, P. 3226; 3637; 5540; Underwood, L.M. 544; Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7143.
less ↑

Ipomoea tricolor Cav., Icon. 3: 5, t. 208.

Fig. 71. I-K

Herbaceous vine, twining or creeping, attaining 5 m in length, without milky latex. Stems glabrous, cylindrical, slender. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 5-12 × 4-14 cm, ovate, chartaceous, the apex acuminate and mucronate, the base deeply cordiform, the margins entire; upper and lower surface glabrous, minutely punctate, with the venation slightly prominent; petioles 2.5-10 cm long, glabrous. Flowers in simple or double dichasia, axillary; peduncle as long as or shorter than the petioles. Calyx green, not accrescent, sepals equal, 6-8 mm long, lanceolate, glabrous, obtuse at the apex, with the margin hyaline; corolla blue, turning violet when mature, infundibuliform, 6-7 cm long, the tube white outside and yellow inside, the limb with 5 rounded lobes; stamens and stigmas white, not exserted. Capsule conical, 1.3-1.6 cm long, light brown; seeds 4 per fruit, glabrous, black, dull, 9-10 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering from November to February.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3119.
less ↑

Aniseia martinicensis (Jacq.) Choisy, Mém. Soc. Hist. Nat. Genève 8: 66. 1837.

Fig. 63. A-D

Basionym: Convolvulus martinicensis Jacq.

Herbaceous vine, twining, climbing, or creeping, 2-4 m in length. Stems glabrous or puberulous when young, with watery latex. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 4-9 × 2.4-3.7 cm, narrowly lanceolate, elliptical, or oblanceolate, membranaceous, the apex obtuse and mucronate, the base obtuse, acute, or attenuate, the margins entire or crenate; upper surface dull, glabrous, granular, with the midvein slightly prominent; lower surface pale green, glabrous, dull, with the venation slightly prominent and puberulous; petioles puberulous, slender, 1-2 cm long. Flowers solitary, axillary; peduncles 3-5 cm long, with a pair of minute bracteoles on the distal portion; pedicel ca. 1 cm long. Calyx green, of 5 unequal sepals, ovate, acuminate, the two outer ones 12-17 mm long, broader than the 3 inner ones; corolla white, campanulate, 2.5-3 cm long; stamens not exserted. Capsules 4-valvate, ovoid, 1.3-1.5 cm long, partially covered by the accrescent sepals; seeds dark brown to almost black, ca. 6.5 cm long, with two sides flat and one convex, sparsely covered with minute, squamose hairs, especially on the angles.

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

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Axelrod, F. 9936; Liogier, A.H. 31343; 37389; 37405.
less ↑

Argyreia nervosa (Burm. f.) Bojer, Hort. Maurit. 224. 1837.

Fig. 63. E-F

Basionym: Convolvulus nervosus Burm. f.

Synonyms: Rivea nervosa (Burm. f.) H. Hallier

Argyreia speciosa (L.f.) Sweet

Twining liana, without latex, attaining more than 5 m in length. Stems cylindrical, densely canescent when young, becoming glabrous when mature. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 12-22(27) × 8.5-20 cm, cordiform, coriaceous, the apex obtuse to rounded, sometimes mucronate, the base cordiform, the margins entire; upper surface dark, dull, glabrous, with the venation slightly sunken; lower surface densely canescent, with the pinnate venation prominent; petioles 5-15 cm long, densely canescent. Flowers few, in axillary simple or double dichasial cymes; bracts foliaceous, ovate, acuminate, 2-5 cm long, canescent on the lower surface, forming an involucre at the base of the dichasia; peduncles densely canescent, up to 15 cm long. Calyx crateriform, canescent, accrescent, of 5 ovate sepals, obtuse, mucronate, 1.5-2 cm long; corolla lavender, dark violet in the throat, infundibuliform, 6-6.5 cm long, canescent outside, the limb with 5 slightly prominent, rounded lobes; stamens and style not exserted. Indehiscent fruits ovoid, 1-1.5 cm long, puberulous, the pericarp thick, subtended by the subwoody, persistent sepals, slightly shorter than the fruit; seeds light brown, ca. 5 mm long, densely appressed short-pubescent, with two sides flat and one convex, the hilum forming a navel.

Phenology: Flowering from April to August, collected in fruit in November.

Status: Exotic, cultivated in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Sargent, F.H. 754.
less ↑

Ipomoea hederifolia L., Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 925. 1759.

Fig. 65. F-H

Synonym: Quamoclit coccinea sensu Urb.

Twining vine, slightly woody, attaining 5 m in length, with watery latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, glabrous. Leaves alternate; blades 4-13 × 4.5-11 cm, ovate or deeply 3-5-lobed, chartaceous, glabrous, the apex of the lobes acuminate, the base cordiform or sagittate; upper surface dark green, dull, glabrous, punctate, with the veins slightly prominent; lower surface pale green, with the primary and secondary veins prominent; petioles 4.5-9 cm long, glabrous, slender. Flowers in dichasial cymes with one-sided racemose branches. Calyx pale green, not accrescent, the sepals 5-8 mm long, lanceolate, aristate at the apex; corolla hypocrateriform, bright red or red-orange, 4-4.5 cm long, the limb ca. 2.5 cm in diameter, with 5 obtuse lobes, shallow; stamens and stigmas white or pink, exserted. Capsules globose, ca. 8 mm in diameter, the pericarp thin; seeds 4 per fruit, light brown, ca. 5 mm long, pubescent.

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

Status: Apparently native, moderately common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2347; 3031; 3082; 3101; Eggers, B. 172; Fosberg, F.R. 59368; Ricksecker, A.E. 144; Stevenson, J.A. 5112; Rose, J.N. 3214.
less ↑

Ipomoea indica (Burm.) Merr. var. acuminata (Vahl) Fosberg, Bot. Not. 129: 38. 1976.

Fig. 66. F-I

Basionym: Convolvulus acuminatus Vahl

Synonyms: Ipomoea cathartica Poir.

Ipomoea portoricensis (Spreng.) G. Don

Herbaceous vine, twining, 2-5 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems slender, glabrous, cylindrical, smooth, greenish. Leaves alternate; blades 6-11 × 4-8 cm, glabrous, ovate or trilobed, chartaceous, the apex acute or shortacuminate, the base cordiform, the margins entire; upper surface with the venation slightly prominent; lower surface with prominent venation, glabrous or puberulous; petioles 6-12 cm long, cylindrical, glabrous. Flowers solitary or in simple dichasial cymes, axillary. Calyx green, accrescent, glabrous, the sepals subequal, 15-18 mm long, lanceolate, chartaceous, longacuminate at the apex; corolla violet-pink with the center darker, infundibuliform, 5-7 cm long, the limb ca. 7 cm in diameter, with 5 rounded lobes; stamens not exserted; stigmas white, slightly exserted. Capsule globose, 10-15 cm in diameter, subtended by the accrescent sepals, subwoody; seeds black, elliptic-triangular, ca. 5 mm long, smooth, with a line of hairs at the margins.

Phenology: Flowering from July to April and fruiting from December to July.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 526; 2264; 4051; 4127; 4666; 6971; 7217; 7804; 9309; 9354; 10789; 11455; Sintenis, P.442.
less ↑

Ipomoea microdactyla Griseb., Cat. Pl. Cub. 204. 1866.

Fig. 67. F-J

Synonyms: Exogonium microdactylum (Griseb.) House

Ipomoea repanda var. microdactyla (Griseb.) Powell

Herbaceous vine, twining, 1.5-2 m in length, without latex. Stems slender, cylindrical, glabrous, with spinescent projections on the more mature portions. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 3-10 cm long, glabrous, ovate, lanceolate, or deeply 3-7- lobed, the apex and the lobes obtuse to acuminate, mucronate, the base cordiform, cuneate or truncate, the margins undulate; upper surface with the venation flat; lower surface punctate or foveolate, with prominent venation; petioles 1.5-4.5 cm long, slender, glabrous. Flowers 2-3, in axillary cymes; peduncles 0.8-4.5 cm long. Calyx pink, the sepals unequal, 4.5-7 mm long, rounded, glabrous, with the margins hyaline; corolla bright pink, hypocrateriform, 3-4.5 cm long, the limb with 5 ovate lobes, obtuse, expanded; stamens and stigmas exserted. Capsules conical, stramineous, 1-1.5 cm long, apiculate; seeds 4 per capsule, reddish brown, 5-6 mm long, with two sides flat and one convex, with a row of silky hairs longer than the seed at the margins and the apex.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, uncommon.
less ↑

Ipomoea nil (L.) Roth, Catal. Bot. 1: 36. 1797.

Fig. 67. K-O

Basionym: Convolvulus nil L.

Twining vine, attaining 5 m in length, with scarce watery latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, strigose. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 4.5-13.3 × 5.7-15 cm, chartaceous, strigose, deeply trilobed, the lobes ovate or lanceolate, acuminate at the apex, the base cordiform, sagittate, or deeply cordiform; upper and lower surface with the veins slightly prominent; petioles 2-8 cm long, strigose. Flowers solitary or in simple dichasia, axillary; peduncles as long as the petioles or slightly shorter; bracts subulate, 4-5 mm long, not forming an involucre. Calyx green, not accrescent, of 5 equal sepals, 2-3 cm long, lanceolate, chartaceous, long-acuminate, externally strigose, hirsute outside on the basal portion; corolla pale blue, lavender, or purple with the center white, infundibuliform, 4-4.5 cm long, the limb with shallow, rounded lobes; stamens and stigmas white, not exserted. Capsule subglobose, ca. 5 mm long, the pericarp thin, color yellowish brown, glabrous, with the chartaceous sepals persistent at the base; seeds 4 per fruit, ca. 4 mm long, dark brown, finely pubescent.

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

Status: Exotic, naturalized.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2315; 3100; 3161; 5372; 7243; Heller, A.A. 6310; Shafer, J.A.d 1973; Sintenis, P. 2912; 3216.
less ↑

Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br. in Tuckey, Narr. Exped. Zaire 477. 1818.

Fig. 68. G-H

Basionym: Convolvulus pes-caprae L.

Vine, creeping or sometimes ascending, up to 10 m in length, with scarce milky latex. Stems cylindrical, glabrous, woody in the older portions, the young portions herbaceous, producing adventitious roots in the area of the nodes. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 6.5-12 × 4-7.3 cm, oblong, reniform to subrounded, coriaceous, glabrous, the apex emarginate and mucronate, the base rounded, cordiform, or truncate, the margins entire; upper surface with the veins flat, scarcely visible; lower surface with the veins slightly prominent; petioles 3-8 cm long, glabrous, thick, slightly compressed on the upper surface, swollen at the base. Flowers solitary or in simple dichasia, axillary; peduncles shorter than the petioles; bracts subulate, ca. 5 mm long. Calyx yellowish green, not accrescent, the sepals unequal, 1.2-1.4 cm long, coriaceous, ovate, the apex rounded and mucronate; corolla pink or lavender, infundibuliform, 4.5-5 cm long, the limb up to 6 cm in diameter, with 5 rounded lobes; stamens and stigmas not exserted. Capsule ovoid to globose, 1.5-1.8 cm long, light brown, with a thin pericarp and with the sepals persistent and reflexed at the base; seeds 4 per fruit, ca. 8 mm long, dark brown, pubescent, with two sides flat and one convex.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2052; 4380; 11057; Fosberg, F.R. 52279; Goll, G.P. 3; 957; Sargent, F.H. 107; Shafer, J.A. 2400; Sintenis, P. 86; Stevenson, J.A. 1688; Underwood, L.M. 924.
less ↑

Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Roth, Bot. Abh. 27. 1787.

Fig. 68. D-F

Basionym: Convolvulus purpureus L.

Herbaceous vine, twining, 2-3 m in length. Stems cylindrical, slender, pilose or hirsute. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 2-10 × 2-10 cm, cordiform or deeply trilobed, the lobes ovate or lanceolate, chartaceous, strigulose on both surfaces, the apex acuminate, the base cordiform, the margins entire or slightly sinuate, ciliate; upper and lower surface with the veins slightly prominent; petioles 2.5-6 cm long, slender, strigulose, sulcate. Flowers solitary or in simple dichasia, axillary; peduncles longer than the petioles; bracts subulate, ca. 3 mm long, not forming an involucre. Calyx green, of 5 subequal sepals, 8-16 mm long, chartaceous, oblonglanceolate, the outer ones slightly broader than the inner ones, acute at the apex, hirsute outside on the basal portion; corolla blue, purple, pink, or with lines (forming a star) of these colors on a white background, infundibuliform, 4-4.5 cm long, the throat white, limb with shallow, rounded lobes; stamens and stigmas pink, not exserted. Capsule depressed-globose, 9-10 mm in diameter, glabrous, the pericarp thin, with the chartaceous sepals persistent at the base; seeds 4 per fruit, pyriform, 3-4 mm long, black, glabrous.

Phenology: Flowering from June to January.

Status: Exotic, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Heller, A.A. 1410.
less ↑

Ipomoea quamoclit L., Sp. Pl. 159. 1753.

Fig. 69. A-B

Herbaceous vine, twining, 2-7 m in length, with watery latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, glabrous. Leaves alternate or clustered on short axillary branches; blades deeply pinnatisect, ovate or elliptical in outline, with 9-19 pairs of linear segments, alternate or opposite, 1-9 cm long, chartaceous, puberulous or glabrous; petioles not evident. Flowers solitary or 2-6 in cymes; peduncles as long as or longer than the leaves; bracts ovate, ca. 1 mm long. Calyx green, not accrescent, of 5 unequal sepals, 4-7 mm long, chartaceous, ovate, the outer ones shorter than the inner ones, glabrous, obtuse at the apex, with a mucro that is borne below the apex; corolla red (sometimes white), hypocrateriform, 2-3 cm long, the limb with deep lobes, deltate, obtuse; stamens and stigmas pink, exserted. Capsule ovoid to conical, with a thin pericarp, lepidote outside, 8-10 mm long; seeds 4 per fruit, cuneiform, 7-8 mm long, dark brown to black, with tufts of irregularly scattered hairs.

Phenology: Flowering from August to February, collected in fruit in February.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Britton, N.L. 7888; Goll, G.P. 41; Underwood, L.M. 145.
less ↑

Ipomoea tenuissima Choisy ex Dc., Prodr. 9: 376. 1845.

Fig. 71. A-C

Herbaceous vine, twining, attaining 1 m in length. Stems cylindrical, slender, glabrous or puberulous. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 2-6 × 0.3-1(2) cm, membranaceous, glabrous, lanceolate, the apex obtuse, mucronate, the base hastate or auriculate, the margins entire; upper and lower surface with the veins slightly prominent; lower surface punctate; petioles 1-2.2 cm long, slender, glabrous. Flowers solitary or rarely in pairs, axillary; peduncles as long as or slightly longer than the petioles; bracts subulate, ca. 2.5 mm long. Calyx green, not accrescent, of 5 subequal sepals, 6-7 mm long, chartaceous, elliptical, obtuse and aristate at the apex, ciliate at the basal margins, the midvein slightly prominent; corolla violet-pink, infundibuliform, ca. 3 cm long, the limb with shallow, rounded lobes; stamens and stigmas not exserted. Capsule ovoid-conical, ca. 5 mm long, glabrous, with a thin pericarp and with the chartaceous sepals persistent at the base; seeds 4 per fruit, cuneiform, ca. 3.7 × 2.5 mm, dark brown, finely pubescent at the margins.

Phenology: Collected in flower in May.

Status: Probably exotic.
less ↑

Ipomoea calantha Griseb., Cat. Pl. Cub. 202. 1866.

Fig. 65. A-C

Twining vine, slightly woody, 3-4 m in length. Young stems 4-winged, puberulous, cylindrical and striate when mature. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 5.5-14 × 4.7-10.5 cm, broadly ovate, chartaceous, the apex acute, obtuse, or acuminate, mucronulate, the base cordiform or truncate, the margins entire; upper surface dark green, dull, glabrous, with a prominent midvein; lower surface pale green, with prominent venation and puberulous; petioles 3-13 cm long, puberulous. Flowers solitary or few, in simple dichasial and axillary cymes; peduncle 4-13.5 cm long. Calyx green, not accrescent, the sepals oblong, puberulous, unequal, 8-12 mm long, the 2 outer ones shorter than the 3 inner ones, obtuse at the apex, the inner ones retuse at the apex; corolla violet-pink, infundibuliform, 6.5-7 cm long, the limb ca. 5 cm in diameter, with 5 rounded lobes; stamens and stigmas not exserted. Capsules ovoidelongate, 1-1.3 cm long, light brown, glabrous; seeds reddish brown, ellipsoid, ca. 8 mm long, with a row of long silky hairs at the margins.

Phenology: Apparently flowering and fruiting sporadically throughout the year.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Sintenis, P. 3128.
less ↑

Ipomoea alba L., Sp. Pl. 161. 1753.

Fig. 64. A-E

Synonyms: Calonyction aculeatum (L.) House

Calonyction bona-nox (L.) Bojer

Twining vine, slightly woody, climbing or creeping, 5-20 m in length, with scarce milky or watery latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, fragile, glabrous, green, with the nodes mulberry-colored and with spiniform projections. Leaves alternate; blades simple or sometimes 3-5-lobed, 7-18 × 8-16 cm, broadly ovate, chartaceous or subcoriaceous, glabrous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base cordiform, the margins undulate and slightly revolute, entire or 3-7-lobate; upper surface dark green, dull; lower surface pale green, with prominent venation; petioles 6-24 cm long, fragile, usually mulberrycolored, with the base somewhat broadened. Flowers fragrant, nocturnal, solitary or few in axillary racemes; peduncle cylindrical, 4-15 cm long. Calyx green, the sepals 2.5-3 cm long, lanceolate, long-aristate and revolute at the apex; corolla white, hypocrateriform, 10-12 cm long, the tube narrow, light green inside, the limb 5-lobed, 9-12 cm in diameter, with 5 light green lines outside forming a star; stamens and stigmas white, exserted. Capsules ovoid-conical, 2-3 cm long, with a persistent style; seeds 4, dark brown to black, glabrous, ca. 1 cm long, with two sides flat and one convex.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting sporadically throughout the year.

Status: Possibly native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7918; 10531; 10791; Cowell, J.F. 788; Goll, G.P. 154; Heller, A.A. 375; Sargent, F.H. 336; Sintenis, P. 446; Stevenson, J.A. 1160.
less ↑

Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam., Encycl. Méth. 6: 14. 1804.

Fig. 64. F-G

Basionym: Convolvulus batatas L.

Creeping vine, with the younger portions twining and ascending, 3-4 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Roots tuberous, edible. Stems cylindrical, slender, flexible, glabrous or pubescent, usually producing aerial roots in the area of the nodes. Leaves alternate; blades simple or 3-7-lobed, 6-13 × 6-10 cm, when simple broadly ovate, deltoid, chartaceous, glabrous, the apex acute, obtuse, or acuminate, mucronulate, the base cordiform, lyrate, or truncate, the margins entire; upper surface dark green, dull; lower surface pale green, with prominent venation; petioles 5-12 cm long, glabrous. Flowers few, in axillary dichasial cymes; peduncle cylindrical, 7-12 cm long. Calyx green, not accrescent, the sepals oblong, unequal, 8-12 mm long, aristate at the apex; corolla violet-pink, infundibuliformcampanulate, 3-4.5 cm long, the limb ca. 4 cm in diameter, with 5 rounded lobes; stamens and stigmas not exserted. Capsules depressed-globose, ca. 5 mm long, pilose; seeds black, dull, puberulous, ca. 3.5 mm long, with two sides flat and one convex.

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

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Goll, G.P. 590; 1062; Prey, N. 42; Stevenson, J.A. 2230; Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3243; Stevenson, J.A. 2468.
less ↑

Cuscuta americana L., Sp. Pl. 124. 1753.

Fig. 89. A-H

Herbaceous parasitic vine, attaining 5 m in length, with numerous lateral twining branches that adhere by means of haustoria. Stems yelloworange, cylindrical, smooth, glabrous, 1.5-2.5 mm in diameter. Leaves vestigial, 1-2 mm long, yellowish, in the form of scales. Flowers bisexual, sessile, in short axillary cymes. Calyx crateriform, whitish, membranaceous, 2.3-2.5 mm long, with 5 minute lobes; corolla whitish, crateriform to tubular, ca. 2.3 mm long, with 5 minute and rounded lobes; stamens 5, adnate to the upper portion of the corolla tube, the filaments with a scalloped scale at the base; ovary depressedglobose. Capsule thin-walled, 1.5-2 mm long, opening longitudinally in the area between the two styles. Seed one or rarely two per fruit, subglobose or lenticular, ca. 1.5 mm long, smooth, light brown.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 775; 1840; 2453; 2466; 2569; 2751; 3774; 4048; 4190; 7071; 11045; 11068.
less ↑

Lycianthes virgata (Lam.) Bitter, Abh. Nat. Ver. Bermen 24: 307. 1919.

Fig. 154. A-F

Synonym: Solanum virgatum Lam.

Woody vine, twining, branched from the base, attainig 10 m in length. Stems cylindrical, stellatepubescent when young, glabrous when mature, attaining 2.5 cm in diameter. Leaves alternate, 6.5-14 × 3.5-5.5 cm, oblong, ovate, or elliptical, chartaceous, involute, the apex acute, acuminate, or less frequently obtuse, the base obtuse or rounded, sometimes asymmetrical, the margins undulate; upper surface shiny, with some scattered stellate hairs, with the venation lighter; lower surface light green, dull, densely stellatepubescent, with prominent venation; petioles stellate-pubescent, 1-2 cm long. Flowers 4-5 in axillary fascicles; pedicels stellate-pubescent, 1-1.6 cm long. Calyx green, turbinate, stellatepubescent, 3-5 mm long, with 10 ribs that project beyond the margin like linear appendages; corolla pale violet or lilac, rotate, pentagonal, ca. 2 cm in diameter, with five thick greenish ribs on the outer surface, which alternate with the pale violet membranaceous tissue; anthers oblong, connivent, ca. 4 mm long, yellow, that open by a terminal pore. Berry globose, fleshy, orange, ca. 8 mm in diameter, with the calyx persistent at the base. Seeds numerous, circular, flattened, light brown, ca. 2 mm in diameter.

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

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 11437; 11643; Britton, N.L. 9440; Sargent, F.H. s.n.; Sintenis, P. 2091; 2620; 4235.
less ↑

Oxypetalum cordifolium (Vent.) Schltr. in Urb., Symb. Antill. 1: 269. 1899.

Fig. 32 A-F

Basionym: Gothofreda cordifolia Vent.

Herbaceous vine, twining, attaining 4 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems cylindrical, pubescent, ca. 3 mm in diameter. Leaves opposite; blades 4-10 × 4-6 cm, ovate, pubescent, the apex acuminate or cuspidate, the base deeply cordiform, the margins entire; upper surface dull green, with 5 acicular glands at the union with the petiole; lower surface pale green, dull, with slightly prominent venation; petioles pubescent, slender, 2-3 cm long. Flowers few, arranged in umbelliform cymes; peduncle ca. 2 cm long; pedicels 1-1.5 cm long. Calyx crateriform, green, the sepals linear-lanceolate, subulate, pubescent on the outer surface, 3.5-4 mm long; corolla campanulate, yellowish or light green, pubescent outside, the tube ca. 4 mm long, the lobes linear-attenuate, 1.5-2 cm long; corona of cuneate-spathulate segments, fleshy, ca. 2.5 mm long; pollinia with an acicular appendage in the area where they connect to the translator arms; stigmatic branches ca. 5 mm long. Follicles fusiform, ca. 8 cm long.

Phenology: Collected in flower in May.

Status: Native, extremely rare.
less ↑

Solanum seaforthianum Andr., Bot. Repos. 8, t. 504. 1807.

Fig. 155. E-I

Slightly woody vine, scandent, attainig 3-6 m in length. Stems more or less cylindrical, puberulent, glabrescent, unarmed. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate, 5-7(9)-pinnately compound, 5-7(9)-pinnatilobed, or less frequently simple, 4.5-9(14) × 2.6-10 cm, membranaceous; leaflets or segments elliptical or oblong-elliptical, the apex acute or acuminate, the base obtuse to almost cordiform, asymmetrical, the margins entire; upper surface dull, appressed-puberulent; lower surface light green, dull, appressed-puberulent, especially on the prominent venation; petioles appressed-puberulent, 2-6.5 cm long, slender. Flowers in terminal panicles but appearing lateral (sympodial by apposition), 6-23 cm long, puberulent; pedicels glabrous or puberulent, 8-12 mm long. Calyx green, 1-1.5 mm long, shortconical but attenuate toward the pedicel, glabrous or puberulent, almost truncate or with 5 very short lobes, obtuse; corolla lavender (rarely white), deeply lobate, the lobes 5-12 mm long, oblong or almost elliptical, expanded; anthers oblong, 3-4 mm long, not connivent, the filaments slightly unequal; style projecting beyond the anthers, the stigma capitate. Berry globose, fleshy, crimson, 9-16 mm in diameter. Seeds numerous, circular, flattened, ca. 3 mm in diameter.

Phenology: Flowering almost throughout the year, collected in fruit in January, February, and June.

Status: Exotic, cultivated as an ornamental and naturalized, although not very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 11476; Barker, E.E. 7859; Britton, N.L. 9867; Liogier, A.H. 29782; 34137; 36499; Santiago-Blay, J.A. s.n.; Stevenson, J.A. 1829; Woodbury, R.O. s.n.
less ↑

Gonolobus stephanotrichus Griseb., Cat. Pl. Cub. 177: 1866.

Fig. 26. A-G

Synonym: Vincetoxicum stephanotrichum (Griseb.) Britton

Herbaceous or slightly woody vine, twining, attaining 10 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems cylindrical, pubescent with reflexed, somewhat rough hairs, glabrescent when mature. Leaves opposite, pendulous; blades 3.5-12 × 1.5-5.5 cm, ovate or oblong-ovate, membranaceous, glabrous, the apex acuminate, the base deeply cordiform, with a pair of minute triangular glands at the union with the petiole, the margins entire or crenate; upper surface dark green, dull; lower surface pale, dull, with a prominent midvein; petioles cylindrical, 4-6 cm long, pubescent. Flowers 2 or more in sessile or subsessile cymes; pedicels pilose, ca. 5 mm long. Calyx green, tinged with pink, the sepals ovate-lanceolate, ca. 5 mm long; corolla rotate, pale purple or green tinged with purple on both surfaces, the petals narrowly lanceolate, ca. 15 mm long, abaxially pilose; corona purple, double, with 5 outer lobes and 2 short inner lobes; pollinium pendulous; ovary sessile, the stigma purple. Follicles green, fusiform, 15-17 cm long, with 5 longitudinal ribs; seeds light brown, ovate, ca. 6.5 mm long, with long, silky hairs at the apex.

Phenology:Collected in flower in October and January and in fruit in April, September, and November.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7785; 10596; 10814; 11445; Sintenis, P. 4666.
less ↑

Marsdenia elliptica Decne. in Dc., Prodr. 8: 616. 1844.

Fig. 27. A-D

Slightly woody vine, twining, 3-5 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems cylindrical, glabrous, dark brown, with some scattered lenticels. Leaves opposite; blades 5-13 × 2-6 cm, obovate or less frequently elliptical or oblongelliptical, coriaceous, glabrous, the venation not prominent, the apex short-acuminate, the base obtuse to rounded, the margins entire, revolute; upper surface dull, with 5-10 minute, dark brown glands on the portion adjacent to the petiole; lower surface pale; petioles glabrous, 1-2 cm long. Flowers 8-15, arranged in subaxillary cymes, glabrous, shorter than the petiole; peduncles ca. 5 mm long; pedicels ca. 3 mm long. Calyx crateriform, the sepals ovate, obtuse, ca. 3 mm long, glabrous, ciliate on the margin; corolla campanulate, white, ca. 8 mm long, glabrous, short-tubular (ca. 3 mm) at the base, the lobes ovate, obtuse, ca. 5 mm long; corona of simple, subulate, erect, connivent segments; stigma turbinate. Follicles fusiform, green, ca. 15 x 1 cm.

Phenology: Collected in flower in June and in fruit in November.

Status: Endemic to Puerto Rico, very rare.

Commentary:In sterile condition, this species can be confused with Matelea variifolia; nevertheless, Marsdenia elliptica is distinguished by the presence of coriaceous leaves with 5-10 glands of various forms on the upper surface in the portion where they join the petiole (vs. membranaceous with 2 acicular glands in M. variifolia).

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7658; 10169; 11658; 11739; Axelrod, F. 9399; Wydler, 308.
less ↑

Echites agglutinata Jacq., Enum. Syst. Pl. 13. 1760.

Fig. 20. A-F

Synonym: Prestonia agglutinata (Jacq.) Woodson

Herbaceous vine, twining, 1-5 m in length, with watery latex. Stems green, cylindrical, slender, lenticellate, becoming hollow on drying. Leaves opposite; blades 4-19 × 3-9 cm, oval, ovate, rounded, or sometimes lanceolate, glabrous, chartaceous, the apex obtuse, acute, shortacuminate, or subrounded and mucronate, the base obtuse, rounded, or truncate, lacking glands and usually asymmetrical, the margins entire or undulate, revolute; upper surface dull green; lower surface pale green, dull, with a prominent midvein; petioles 0.5-4 cm long, canaliculate, pubescent; stipules intrapetiolar and interpetiolar, minute, acicular. Flowers in small axillary or terminal cymes. Calyx green, 2-3 mm long, with 5 ovate lobes, ca. 2 mm long; corolla infundibuliform, the tube greenish or creamcolored, 4-6 mm long, with 4 ribs, pilose inside, the limb pale yellow or cream-colored, with 5 oblong lobes, reflexed, 2-4 mm long. Follicles linear, 10-25 cm long, divaricate when mature; seeds numerous, 5-7 mm long, light brown, with cream-colored, silky hairs.

Phenology: Flowering from May to December and fruiting from June to March.

Status: Native, quite common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 902; 2045; 2665; 3142; 3819; 3974; 4422; 5068; 5249; 7797; 10900; 10978; 11322; 11403; 11558; 11726; Britton, N.L. 615; 1296; 2277; Goll, G.P. 806; Proctor, G.R. 43988; Sintenis, P. 1943; 2457; Stevenson, J.A. 2944; 3503; Underwood, L.M. 666 Webster, G.L. 8601; 8896.
less ↑

Anechites nerium (Aubl.) Urb., Repert. Sp. Nov. Regni Veg. 16: 150. 1919.

Fig. 18. E-H

Basionym: Apocynum nerium Aubl.

Synonyms: Echites lappulacea Lam.

Anechites asperuginis Griseb.

Twining vine, woody or herbaceous, attaining 10 m in length. Stems cylindrical, sparsely strigulose, glabrous and corky lines when mature. Leaves opposite or, when solitary, opposite the inflorescence; blades 5.5-10 × 2.5-4.5 cm, elliptical, oblong or ovate, chartaceous, the apex acuminate, the base obtuse, truncate, or subcordiform, the margins entire or undulate; upper surface dull, scabrous, covered with rigid cystolithic hairs; lower surface with small scattered protuberances and with the venation puberulous; petioles 15-22 mm long; stipules transformed into small intrapetiolar glands. Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic, in simple or bifurcate racemes, opposite a leaf, 6-15 (25) cm long, the axis sparsely strigulose. Calyx of 5 lanceolate sepals, 2.5-3 mm long; corolla hypocrateriform, the tube ellipsoid, ca. 6 mm long, yellowish, pilose inside, the lobes 5, white, 8-12 mm, oblong, rounded at the apex; stamens 5, the filaments short, connate with the corolla, the anthers apiculate; ovary superior, bicarpellate, the style elongate, the stigmas 2, elongate. Fruit of (1) 2 fusiform follicles, densely strigose, especially in the distal portion; seeds (according to Grisebach, 1862) numerous, with a tuft of hairs at the apex.

Phenology: Flowering from May to July and fruiting from June to July, according to the material examined (from Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Colombia).

Status: Native, extremely rare.

Selected Specimens Examined: Stahl, A. 870.
less ↑

Serjania polyphylla (L.) Radlk., Monogr. Serjania 179. 1875.

Fig. 151. G-J

Basionym: Paullinia polyphylla L.

Synonyms: Paullinia triternata Jacq.

Serjania triternata (Jacq.) Willd.

Woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 5-10(20) m in length. Stems cylindrical, sulcate, puberulent, glabrescent, producing abundant milky latex when wounded; mature stems cylindrical, smooth, deeply sulcate, light brown, attaining 5 cm in diameter; cross section with a central vascular cylinder and (5)8-10 peripheral vascular cylinders. Leaves alternate, triternate (27 leaflets) or exceptionally bipinnate (more than 27 leaflets); leaflets coriaceous, the margins deeply serrate or lobate on the distal portion; upper surface glabrous, shiny, with slightly prominent venation; lower surface light green, dull, with the reticulate venation slightly prominent, barbate in the axil of the veins nearest to the base, lineate; distal leaflets ovate or rhombic, 1.7-5 × 0.7-3 cm, the apex acute, obtuse, truncate, or acuminate, the base abruptly attenuate; lateral leaflets elliptical, ovate, or oblong, 1-3 × 0.8-2.7 cm, the apex obtuse or truncate, the base rounded, abruptly attenuate; primary and secondary rachis winged or narrowly winged; petioles 1-3 long, not winged, glabrous or puberulent; stipules minute, caducous; tendrils in pairs, spirally twisted, at the end of short axillary axes, from which an inflorescence usually develops. Inflorescences of axillary thyrses or forming a panicle when they are terminal on the branches; flowers zygomorphic, pedicellate, grouped in lateral cincinni. Calyx pale green, white-tomentose, of 5 sepals, 3-5 mm long. Petals white, obovate, 4-5 mm long; petaliferous appendages slightly shorter than the petals, fleshy, yellow, and bifurcate at the apex; disc unilateral, with 4 rounded or ovoid glands, glabrous or puberulent at the base; stamens 8, the filaments pilose; ovary trilocular, glabrous or puberulent. Mericarps samaroid, 1.5-2.5 cm long, with a wing on the lower portion, the seminiferous portion almost globose, reticulate, glabrous or puberulent, with a brown, ellipsoid seed inside.

Phenology: Flowering from September to April and fruiting from October to April.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 719; 2200; 7015; 9392; 10195; 11204; 11212; Boom, B. 10022; Britton, N.L. 772; 1307; 4311; 4651; 4964; Goll, G.P. 692; Heller, A.A. 6063; Sintenis, P. 274; 3406; 5646; 5772.
less ↑

Serjania diversifolia (Jacq.) Radlk., Monogr.Serjania 136. 1875.

Basionym:Paullinia diversifolia Jacq.

Woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 6-10 m in length. Young stems obtusely pentagonal, glabrous or puberulent, reddish tinged, not producing milky latex; mature stems cylindrical, rough, fragile, light brown; cross section with a single vascular cylinder. Leaves alternate, 5- foliolate pinnate or less often biternate; leaflets coriaceous, the margins remotely serrate; upper surface glabrous, shiny, with light green venation; lower surface light green, dull, lineate, with the reticulate venation slightly prominent; distal leaflets rhombate, 4-9 × 2-4.5 cm, the apex obtuse, retuse and sometimes slightly mucronate, the base long-attenuate; lateral leaflets oblong or elliptic, smaller than the distal ones, the apex obtuse, apiculate, the base acute or abruptly attenuate; rachis marginate; petioles 2-5-4 cm long, naked, glabrous; stipules minute, caducous; tendrils in pairs, spirally twisted, at the end of short axillary axes, from which an inflorescence usually develops. Inflorescence of axillary thyrses; flowers zygomorphic; calyx cream to whitish green; corolla cream. Fruit reddish tinged, stramineous when dry, splitting into 3 samaroid mericarps, 1.5-2 cm long.

Phenology: Collected in fruit during March.

Status: Quite rare. less ↑

Securidaca virgata Sw., Prodr. 104. 1788.

Fig. 1E; 141. E-M

Synonym: Elsota virgata (Sw.) Kuntze

Woody vine, twining, with pendulous branches, attainig 5-10 m in length. Stems cylindrical, puberulent, slightly flattened when mature; cross section with bands of vascular tissue alternating with bands of parenchyma. Leaves alternate, 1-2 cm long, obovate or oblong, minutely strigulose, the apex rounded, retuse, the base cuneate or obtuse, the margins entire, revolute, the venation inconspicuous on both surfaces; petioles ca. 1 mm long, strigulose. Inflorescences of terminal racemes; pedicels ca. 6 mm long, minutely sericeous; calyx of 5 sepals, unequal, the 3 outer ones 2-4 mm long, pink, rounded, strigulose, the inner ones petaloid, 8-12 mm long, pink, rounded; keel white, ca. 8 mm long, the upper petals yellow, fleshy, slightly shorter than the keel. Samara 3-4 cm long, minutely sericeous, especially the seminiferous locule, the wing with reticulate venation, 2-3 × 1 cm.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3747; 6954; 7127; 9453; Britton, N.L. 983; 4478; 5809; Cowell, J.F. 582; Eggers, B. Goll, G.P. 410; 586; 1055; Heller, A.A. 4385; Holdridge, L. 215; Sargent, F.H. 250; Shafer, J.A. 2380; Sintenis, P. 46; 1065; 5291; 6658; Stevenson, J.A. 102; Underwood, L.M. 77; Webster, G.L. 8844.
less ↑

Securidaca diversifolia (L.) Blake, Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 23: 594. 1923.

Fig.141. A-D

Basionym: Polygala diversifolia L.

Synonyms: Elsota diversifolia (L.) Blake

Securidaca erecta Jacq.

Liana, with short twining lateral branches, attainig 5-10 m in length. Stems cylindrical, strigulose. Leaves alternate, coriaceous, 3.5-9(12) × 1.7-3.5 cm, narrowly ovate, ovate, or oblong, the apex obtuse or short-acuminate, the base obtuse, the margins entire, revolute; upper surface puberulent, with the midvein flat; lower surface with prominent venation, minutely strigulose; petioles 2-4 mm long. Inflorescences of racemes, terminal on short (4-12 cm long) lateral branches, these with rounded leaves, < 1 cm long, at the base; pedicels 4-5 mm long, strigulose; calyx of 5 sepals, unequal, the 3 outer ones ca. 3 mm long, violet, rounded, strigulose, the inner ones petaloid, 8-10 mm long, violet, rounded; keel violet, ca. 8 mm long, the upper petals spathulate, violet, slightly shorter than the keel; ovary glabrous, the style curved, glabrous, the stigma truncate. Samara 3.5-4.2 cm long, hirsute, the wing with reticulate venation, 3-3.5 × 10-13 cm.

Phenology: Collected in flower in March, April, and July.

Status: Native or naturalized on St. Croix; cultivated in Puerto Rico and St. Thomas.

Selected Specimens Examined: Ricksecker, A.E. 338.
less ↑

Stigmaphyllon puberum (Rich.) A. Juss., Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot., Ii, 13: 289. 1840.

Fig. 123. A-G

Basionym: Banisteria pubera Rich.

Woody vine, twining, attainig 10-15 m in length. Stems cylindrical, sericeous when young. Leaves opposite, lanceolate, elliptical, ovate, or less frequently rounded, (6.8)8.2-13 × 3-6 cm, the apex acuminate, the base obtuse, slightly decurrent on the petiole, with a pair of prominent discoid glands, 1-1.8 mm in diameter, in the area near the petiole, the margins revolute, with scattered minute sessile glands; upper surface glabrous or sericeous on the midvein; lower surface sericeous or sparsely sericeous, the venation prominent; petiole canaliculate, sericeous, 1.5-4 cm long; stipules triangular, minute, deciduous. Inflorescences of axillary umbels, with 8-15 flowers, grouped in dichasial cymes or thyrses; peduncles 1.5-4.8 mm long; pedicels cylindrical, 2.5-7.5 mm long; bracts triangular, 1.5-2.2 mm long, with a pair of glands at the base. Calyx of 5 ovate sepals, sericeous, four of them with a pair of prominent oblong glands outside at the base. Petals yellow, sometimes with a reddish tonality, rounded, 7.5-13 mm long, unguiculate, the posterior petal 5-7 mm long; stamens unequal; anterior style longer, the stigmas with leafy appendages. Mericarps 2.6-3.7 cm long, glabrous, with an ascendent wing, in a distal position.

Phenology: Known from Puerto Rico only in sterile condition.

Status: Native, rare.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7072.
less ↑

Rhabdadenia biflora (Jacq.) Müll. Arg. in Mart., Fl. Bras. 6(1): 175. 1860.

Fig. 20. G-K

Basionym: Echites biflora Jacq.

Synonym: Rhabdadenia paludosa (Vahl) Miers

Twining liana, glabrous, 7-10 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems green, cylindrical, smooth. Leaves opposite; blades 5-8 × 1.5-4.5 cm, elliptical, obovate, oblong, oblanceolate, and sometimes ovate, glabrous, the apex mucronate, obtuse, truncate, or sometimes retuse, the base obtuse or attenuate, the margins entire, slightly revolute; upper surface dull green; lower surface glaucous, with obscure venation; petioles 0.5-2 cm long; stipules not visible. Flowers in short axillary cymes. Calyx of oblong, mucronate sepals, 5-5.5 mm long, green; corolla infundibuliform, white, sometimes tinged with pink, with the center yellow inside, 4.5-5.7 cm long. Follicles linear, 6-10 cm long, parallel or slightly divaricate when mature; seeds numerous, linear, ca. 2.5 cm long, with a tuft of silky hairs at the apex.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year and fruiting mostly from March to September.

Status: Native, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Eggers, B. 1155; Sargent, F.H. b23; Sintenis, P. 935; Stevenson, J.A. 433.
less ↑

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

Fig. 135. B-D.

Herbaceous vine, that climbs by means of axillary tendrils and attains 2-5 m in length. Stems angular, almost triangular, pilose, striate, attaining 5 mm wide, with many lateral branches. Leaves alternate, simple, bilobate or less frequently with a third lobe in a central position, 4-12 × 4-12 cm, chartaceous, pubescent, with three main veins that are borne from the base, the lobes acute, divergent, mucronate, the base cordiform, the margins entire; lower surface with the veins prominent, with a reddish tonality; petioles 2-4 cm long, pubescent, with a reddish tonality, without glands; stipules subulate, pubescent, ca. 5 mm long; tendrils simple, pubescent, up to 20 cm long. Flowers axillary, solitary or in pairs; pedicels pubescent, 3-5 cm long. Sepals oblong, 1.3-2.5 cm long, pilose and green on the outer surface, white on the inner surface; petals linear, whitish, 0.9-1.5 cm long; corona biseriate, the outer segments filiform, 1-1.3 cm long, pink to purple, the inner ones minute; gynophore cylindrical, 0.6-1 cm long; stamens 5, greenish; ovary ellipsoid-globose, green, hirsute, the styles reflexed, the stigmas capitate. Fruit a fleshy capsule, tardily dehiscent, up to 2 cm in diameter, ellipsoid or ovoid, red or red-pink, pilose, with 8 longitudinal ribs. Seeds numerous, elliptical, 3-4 mm long, transversely sulcate, covered by a white aril.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 103; 285; 905; 2438; 4052; 9375; Axelrod, F. 5246; 5812; Britton, N.L. 824; Goll, G.P. 250; 303; 374; Heller, A.A. Shafer, J.A. 2987; Sintenis, P. 341; 2804; 6017; Stevenson, J.A. 153; Underwood, L.M. 362.
less ↑

Passiflora quadrangularis L., Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 1248. 1759.

Fig. 135. A

Slightly woody or herbaceous vine, glabrous, attainig 3-5 m in length and climbs by means of axillary tendrils. Stems trigonal or quadrangular, the angles winged, becoming cylindrical when mature. Leaves alternate, glabrous, chartaceous or membranaceous, 10-20 × 8-15 cm, broadly elliptical or broadly ovate, not lobate, rounded toward the abruptly acuminate apex, the base rounded, subtruncate, or cordiform, the margins entire; lower surface with the pinnate venation prominent; petioles 2-5 cm long, thick, canaliculate, with three pairs of sessile glands; stipules ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 2-3.5 cm long; tendrils simple. Flowers solitary, pendulous, axillary, subtended by a persistent involucre of 3 ovate bracts, 3-5 cm long; peduncle 1.5-3 cm long, trigonal. Sepals ovate or oblong-ovate, 3-4 cm long, white, violet, or pink on the inner surface, green externally; petals oblong-ovate to oblonglanceolate, white with a pink tinge, 3-4.5 cm long; corona multiseriate, the segments filiform, as long as the sepals, with red-violet and white bands at the base, blue in the middle, and with numerous pink-blue spots above the middle; gynophore thick; stamens 5; ovary ovoid. Fruit a fleshy berry, oblong-ovoid, 20-30 × 12-15 mm, green, with three longitudinal furrows. Seeds numerous, cordiform or almost circular, 7-10 mm long, reticulate.

Phenology: Collected in flower from March to September.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 10558; Sargent, F.H. 595; Shafer, J.A. 3483; Sintenis, P. 1022; Stevenson, J.A. 6715; Underwood, L.M. 778.
less ↑

Paullinia fuscescens Kunth in Humb. Bonpl. & Kunth, Nov. Gen. Sp. (quarto ed.) 5: 120. 1821.

Fig. 150. A-D

Woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 3-7 m in length. Stems cylindrical, tomentose or tomentulose, up to 5 mm in diameter, with slight watery latex when cut; cross section simple (with a single vascular cylinder). Leaves alternate, biternate; leaflets chartaceous, the margins serrate, revolute; upper surface sparsely pubescent on the midvein, green, shiny; lower surface green, dull, the venation prominent and puberulent, with a tuft of hairs in the axils of the secondary veins, with glandular papillae; terminal leaflets 4-6 × 1.5-2.5 cm, lanceolate, the apex acuminate, the acumen obtuse, the base longattenuate; lateral leaflets 1-2 × 0.7-1 cm, almost elliptical, the apex obtuse, the base acute or obtuse; rachis narrowly winged, 1-1.6 cm long; petioles not winged, 7-12 mm long; stipules triangular, ca. 1 mm long; tendrils in pairs, spirally twisted, at the end of short axillary axes, from which an inflorescence usually develops. Inflorescences of axillary racemiform thyrses, with few sessile flowers, zygomorphic, in lateral cincinni; axes tomentose. Calyx whitish green, of 5 sepals, 2-2.5 mm long; petals white, cuneate at the base, ca. 2 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; stamens 8, the filaments unequal; ovary trilocular. Capsule three-winged, red, 1-1.5 cm long. Seeds one per locule, black, obovoid, slightly laterally compressed, ca. 6 mm long, with a white and emarginate aril on the lower half.

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

Status: Exotic, naturalized, locally common on St. Croix.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 5356; 10845; 11459.
less ↑

Vitis tiliifolia Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 5:320. 1819.

Fig. 164. G-J

Synonym: Vitis caribaea Dc.

Liana that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 10-35 m in length. Stems cylindrical, woody, producing abundant potable water when cut and attaining 8 cm in diameter; bark dark brown, rough. Leaves simple, broadly ovate or trilobate, 6.5-14 × 6.5-12.5 cm, chartaceous, the apex acute to short-acuminate, the base cordiform to almost truncate, the margins serrate; upper surface puberulent; lower surface tomentose; petioles 2.5-8 cm long; stipules caducous. Inflorescences of pendulous axillary panicles, 9-17 cm long. Calyx green, discoid, the sepals ca. 2 mm long. Petals 1.5-2.2 mm long, greenish yellow, oblong-obovate, persistent; disc ca. 0.2 mm high. Berries globose, 5-10 mm in diameter, juicy, violet when ripe. Seeds 1-2, circular, ca. 4 mm long.

Phenology: Collected in flower during March and April and in fruit in September.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 198; 2128; Axelrod, F. 5996.
less ↑

Cissus erosa L.C. Rich., Act. Soc. Hist. Nat. 1: 106. 1792.

Fig. 162. A-J

Non-woody vine, that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 5-6 m in length. Stems angular, quadrangular, or 4-6-winged, branched, glabrous or puberulent, the nodes swollen. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets elliptical, lanceolate, or ovate, 4.3-10.5 × 3-5.5 cm (the terminal leaflet larger), glabrous or puberulent on the prominent veins, the apex acute or obtuse, the base acute, obtuse, or attenuate on the central leaflet and unequal on the lateral leaflets, the margins serrate; petiolules very short or absent; petioles canaliculate or slightly winged, 2-3(5) cm long; stipules deltoid, auriculate at the base, 2-4 mm long. Tendrils opposite the leaves, simple, filiform, 10-12 cm long, sometimes terminating in adventitious discs. Inflorescences of umbelliform cymes, opposite the leaves; peduncle longer than the accompanying leaf; pedicels 2-2.5 mm long, reddish. Calyx ca. 1 mm high, red or pink, truncate; petals red, glabrous, papillose; stamens green; disc reddish. Fruits globose, 5-7 mm in diameter, black when ripe. Seed one, 5-7 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year.

Status: Native, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 4720; 7171; 9471; 10809; 11503; Britton, N.L. 4083; 6732; 9909; Sargent, F.H. 612; Sintenis, P. 190; 4716; 5346; Stevenson, J.A. 6351; 6723; Underwood, L.M. 85; 513.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

Cissus obovata Vahl, Symb. Bot. 3: 19. 1794.

Fig. 163. A-D

Synonyms: Cissus caustica Tussac

Cissus tuberculata Jacq.

Slightly woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 3-15 m in length. Stems much branched, subcylindrical, angular, fleshy, 3-8 mm in diameter, glabrous or puberulent, reddish and then grayish, flexuous, with the nodes swollen. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate, chartaceous, glabrous or pubescent; leaflets obovate, almost rounded, or elliptical, 0.7-6 × 0.5-3.5 cm (the terminal leaflet larger), the apex rounded, obtuse, mucronate and sometimes retuse, the base cuneate to rounded, unequal on the lateral leaflets, the margins crenate or scattered-dentate on the distal portion; petioles 0.8-5 cm long; stipules deltoid, early deciduous; tendrils opposite the leaves, minute, bifurcate, with an adventitious disc at the end. Inflorescences of cymes, opposite the leaves, with the peduncles glabrous or puberulent, reddish; pedicels reddish. Calyx reddish, ca. 1 mm long. Petals 4, reddish, 1-2 mm long, triangular, deciduous. Fruits globose to globose-obovoid, 4-5 mm in diameter, black or purple when ripe. Seed one, ca. 5 mm long.

Phenology: Collected in flower in June and November and in fruit in July.

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 10861; 11708; Britton, N.L. 1687; Stevenson, J.A. 2621; Underwood, L.M. 550.
less ↑

Rourea surinamensis Miq., Linnaea 26: 221. 1853.

Fig. 62. A-H

Synonyms: Rourea frutescens sensu Bello, non Aubl.

Rourea glabra sensu Griseb., non Kunth

Woody vine, twining, attaining more than 20 m in length. Stems strong, flexible, grayish or brown, up to 2 cm in diameter; lateral branches short, twining like tendrils. Leaves alternate, pinnately compound or less frequently unifoliolate; leaflets 3 or 5, opposite or subopposite, 4-15 × 1.5-6.5 cm, elliptical, oblong, or ovate, coriaceous, glabrous, the apex acuminate, the base rounded (or in young plants cordiform), the margins entire, revolute; upper surface dark, shiny, with the midvein sunken, the secondary veins slightly prominent; lower surface pale green, dull, with the reticulate venation prominent; petioles 3-8 cm long, with the base swollen; petiolules swollen, ca. 5 mm long; stipules minute. Flowers numerous, in clustered, axillary panicles or racemes, 5-10 cm long. Calyx crateriform, 2.5-3 mm long, of 5 oblong sepals, ca. 2 mm long; petals white, spathulate, ca. 4 mm long, early deciduous; stamens 10, in two series, the filaments unequal, the anthers ellipsoid; gynoecium of 5 free carpels, pubescent, the style elongate, the stigma peltate or bilobed. Follicles ellipsoid, 1-1.5 cm long, reddish when mature; seeds black, with a white aril at the base.

Phenology: Flowering from March to September and fruiting from December to April.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2135; 9340; 11684; Britton, N.L. 1692; 2705; Cede¤o, J.A. 121; Eggers, B. 1246; Heller, A.A. 956; 997; Liogier, A.H. 9696; Pfeifer 3047; Sargent, F.H. 229; Shafer, J.A. 3172; 3411; Sintenis, P. 668; 1040; 1496; 5728; 5984; Stevenson, J.A. 564; 1755.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

Gonocalyx portoricensis (Urb.) A.C. Smith, Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 38: 354. 1932.

Fig. 92. E-I

Basionym: Thibaudia portoricensis Urb.

Synonym: Ceratostema portoricensis (Urb.) Hoerold

Clambering shrub attainig 3 m in length. Stems much branched, slender, cylindrical, dark brown, the twigs reddish, densely pubescent. Leaves alternate, reddish when young, circular or broadly ovate, convex, rigid, 0.8-2 × 0.6-1.2 cm, the apex obtuse or rounded, mucronate, the base obtuse or rounded, the margins markedly revolute, entire or denticulate; upper surface green, shiny, glabrous, with the midvein sunken; lower surface pale green, shiny, glabrous or with scattered papilliform hairs, with the midvein prominent and the lateral venation inconspicuous; petioles 1.5-3 mm long. Flowers solitary, axillary, pendulous; peduncle 6-12 mm long. Calyx campanulate, with 5 longitudinal ribs, 3-3.5 mm long; corolla tubular, pale pink or white, ca. 16 mm long, with 5 erect, deltate lobes; stamens 10, the filaments ca. 1 mm long, pubescent on the upper margin, the anthers with the distal, tubular portion of the theca 4-5 times longer than the theca, not exserted; ovary inferior, the style thick, the stigma white, slightly exserted. Fruits depressed-globose, white or red, 4-7 mm in diameter.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from the end of January to August.

Status: Endemic to Puerto Rico, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Axelrod, F. 6735; Luteyn, J. 5116; Sargent, F.H. 283; Shafer, J.A. 3641; Webster, G.L. 8697.
less ↑

Capparis flexuosa (L.) L., Sp. Pl. ed. 2, 722. 1762.

Fig. 56. A-E

Basionym: Morisonia flexuosa L.

Synonym: Capparis saligna Vahl

Woody shrub, erect or clambering, much branched from the base, 2-10 m in length. Branches pendulous, glabrous, light brown, smooth, attaining 20 cm in diameter at the base. Leaves alternate; blades 4-10 × 1.5-2.5 cm, oblong or linear, coriaceous, glabrous, the apex rounded or emarginate, the base rounded, the margins entire, revolute; upper surface yellowish green, shiny or dull; lower surface pale green, dull, with a prominent midvein; petioles 5-8 mm long, light brown. Flowers fragrant, nocturnal, clustered in terminal corymbs. Calyx yellowish green, of 4 imbricate sepals, rounded, fleshy, 6-10 mm long; petals green or yellowish green, 4, elliptical, 1.5-3 cm long, concave; stamens numerous, white, 4-6 cm long. Follicles fleshy, cylindrical-torulose, 6-8 cm long, light brown, with longitudinal dehiscence, the inner walls red-orange; seeds pendulous from the parietal placenta, oblong, ca. 1 cm long, with a white, fleshy covering.

Phenology: Flowering from March to October and fruiting in August and September.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 1026; 1826; 1947; 2312; 2351; 2521; 4664; 4687; 4688; 5202; 7079; Axelrod, F. 6338; Gregory 188; Heller, A.A. 6163; Johnston, J.R. 798; Little, E.L. 21636; Mill. 1667; Sargent, F.H. 46; Shafer, J.A. 2658; 2767; Sintenis, P. 869; 3334; 3379; 3613; 3841; 3954; 4999; 5487; Stevenson, J.A. 2502; 5490; Underwood, L.M. 586; 592; 645.
less ↑

Fevillea cordifolia L., Sp. Pl. 1013. 1753.

Fig. 84. A-F

Slightly woody vine that climbs by axillary tendrils and attains 10 m or more in length. Stems green, subcylindrical, glabrous, striate when young, with numerous pendulous lateral branches; tendrils simple or bifurcate, up to 16 cm long. Leaves alternate; blades entire, 8-16 × 4-12 cm, ovate or pentagonal, coriaceous, glabrous, the apex acuminate, the base cordiform, the margins revolute, entire or denticulate; upper surface dark green, shiny; lower surface light green, dull, the venation palmate, prominent; petioles usually curved, sulcate, glabrous, 4-6 cm long. Staminate and pistillate flowers similar, in axillary panicles, 20-60 cm long; pedicels ca. 8 mm long. Calyx crateriform, puberulous, the sepals ovate, ca. 2 mm long; corolla yellow-pink, rotate, the limb ca. 1 cm in diameter, with rounded lobes; stamens 5, ca. 1.5 mm long; ovary globose, puberulous.Fruit subglobose, green, 8-12 cm in diameter, operculate, with three sutures united in the distal portion, the pericarp subwoody; seeds few, compressed, subcircular, 3-6 cm in diameter, cream-colored.

Phenology: Flowering from February to September and fruiting from June to September. The seeds are dispersed by water currents and are frequently found on river banks and beaches.

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2218; 4724; 9419; Axelrod, F. 4276; Britton, N.L. 329; Sintenis, P. 986; 6604.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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).
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

Entada polystachya (L.) Dc. var. polyphylla (Benth.) Barneby, Brittonia 48: 175. 1996.

Fig. 118. A-D

Synonym: Entada polyphylla Benth.

Liana, not spiny, that climbs by means of foliar tendrils (homologous to the two distal pinnae) and attains 10 m in length. Stems more or less cylindrical, striate. Leaves bipinnate, 15-25 cm long; pinnae in 4-6 pairs; rachis slightly flattened along the upper surface, puberulent; secondary rachis carinate, puberulent, with a pair of stipels below the basal pinnae; leaflets 10-20 pairs per pinna, 10-16 mm long, oblong, coriaceous, the apex obtuse, rounded, or emarginate, the base asymmetrical, one side cuneate, the other truncate, the margins entire, revolute; upper surface dark green, glabrous or puberulent; lower surface pale green, strigulose, with the midvein prominent; petiole 3-3.5 cm long, with a long pulvinulus at the base; stipules minute, early deciduous. Inflorescences terminal, forming a raceme of cylindrical spikes, 4-5 cm long. Calyx crateriform, ca. 0.5 mm long, puberulent; petals oblong, green or reddish brown, 1.2-1.5 mm long; stamens white, slightly longer than the petals. Legumes 25-35 × 6.5-7.5 cm, oblong, flattened, coriaceous, glabrous, stipitate, with the margins thickened and conspicuously undulate, separating into segments that contain a single seed. Seeds 4-6 mm long, elliptical, light brown.

Phenology: Collected in flower in May.

Status: Apparently native, extremely rare or extirpated.

Selected Specimens Examined: Sintenis, P. 1240.
less ↑

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 ↑