Vines and Climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

Canavalia ensiformis (L.) Dc., Prodr. 2: 404. 1825.

Fig. 99. A-E

Basionym: Dolichos ensiformis L.

Slightly woody vine, twining, attainig 1-2 m in length. Stems cylindrical, puberulent, glabrescent, with the pith hollow. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets chartaceous, broadly ovate or broadly elliptical, 6-20 × 5-12 cm, the apex obtuse or rounded, short-apiculate, the base obtuse, asymmetrical on the lateral leaflets, the margins entire; both surfaces strigulose, punctate; petiole and rachis cylindrical, glabrescent; petiolules swollen, ca. 8 mm long. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes, 25-36 cm long, with 2-3 flowers grouped on the nodal swellings along the rachis; pedicels 1-2 mm long, glabrescent. Calyx green, campanulate, 12-14 mm long, bilabiate; corolla pale violet, ca. 2 cm, the standard and the wings white at the base, violet on the distal portion. Legume linear, up to 30 × 3.5 cm, woody, slightly curved toward the apex, each valve with three longitudinal ribs. Seeds 15-20, ellipsoid, up to 3 cm long, white or cream-colored.

Phenology: Unknown.

Status: Exotic, known only in cultivation, not very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Tracy 308.
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Canavalia rosea (Sw.) Dc., Prodr. 2: 404. 1825.

Fig. 99. H-L

Basionym: Dolichos roseus Sw.

Synonyms: Dolichos maritimus Aubl.

Canavalia maritima (Aubl.) Urb.

Canavalia maritima Thouars

Dolichos obtusifolius Lam.

Canavalia obtusifolia (Lam.) Dc.

Woody vine, creeping or twining, much branched from the base, attainig 2-6 m in length. Stems smooth, glabrescent, green, mulberrycolored at the nodes, with adventitious roots. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets 4-10.4 × 3-10 cm, chartaceous, oblong, ovate, or orbicular, involute, the apex obtuse, rounded, retuse and mucronate, the base cuneate or rounded, the margins entire; upper surface glabrous except for the puberulent veins; lower surface puberulent, yellowish green, dull, with prominent venation; rachis sulcate, villous, 3-4.5 cm long; petiolules swollen, villous, ca. 1 cm long; petioles sulcate, villous, swollen at the base, 4-6 cm long; stipels absent; stipules triangular, persistent. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes, 25-30 cm long, the flowers in pairs on each nodal swelling along the rachis; bracts minute, deciduous. Calyx 8-11 mm long, yellowish green, with five lobes, three small and two large, puberulent; corolla violet-pink, the standard broadly elliptical, 2-2.5 cm long, reflexed, white in the center, the wings and the keel shorter than the standard. Legume 10-17 × 2.3-2.5 cm, oblong, not flattened, subwoody, with three keels on each valve. Seeds numerous, 1.5-1.8 cm long, ellipsoid, brown, with the hilum white.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting almost throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 776; 2018; 2911; 4320; 5301; 6975.
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Machaerium lunatum (L.f.) Ducke, Arch. Jard. Bot. Rio de Janeiro 4: 310. 1925.

Fig. 106. G-L

Basionym: Pterocarpus lunatus L.f.

Synonym: Drepanocarpus lunatus (L. f.) G.F.W. Meyer

Scandent shrub attainig 15 m in length. Stems cylindrical, attaining up to 12 cm in diameter, with numerous persistent, recurved stipular spines. Leaves imparipinnate; leaflets 5-7, alternate or rarely opposite, 2-7 × 0.5-3 cm, oblong or oblanceolate, chartaceous, glabrous, the apex retuse, the base obtuse or rounded, the margins entire; petiolules 2-3 mm long; stipules recurved, spiniform, up to 1 cm long. Inflorescences of axillary or terminal racemes, with few to many flowers, 5-15 cm long; bracts minute, persistent. Calyx 3.5-5 mm long, glabrous; corolla pink to violet-pink, the standard up to 8 mm long, retuse, the wings falcate, the keel incurved. Legume 2- 3.7 cm wide, in the form of a half-moon, circular in outline, indehiscent. Seed 1, reniform.

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

Status: Native, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2829; Axelrod, F. 9509.
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Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb., Fl. Ind. ed. 2, 2: 362. 1832.

Fig. 94. A-C

Basionym: Guilandina bonduc L.

Synonym: Caesalpinia crista sensu Urb. and sensu Britton & Wilson

Scandent shrub, much branched along the main stem, attainig 2-6 m in length. Stems cylindrical, up to 2.5 cm in diameter, densely spiny. Leaves bipinnate, paripinnate, 30-75 × 10-34 cm; pinnae 4-8 pairs, opposite; leaflets 3-7 pairs per pinna, opposite, 2.5-5(6.8) × 1.2-3 cm, ovate, lanceolate, oblong, or elliptical, chartaceous, glabrous or puberulent, the apex obtuse, mucronate, the base truncate, rounded to almost cordiform, the margins entire, revolute, ciliate; upper surface dull; lower surface with the midvein prominent; petiolules short, cylindrical; petioles and rachis spiny; stipules foliaceous, up to 1.5 cm long, persistent, divided into 3-5 segments. Flowers functionally unisexual, in axillary or terminal racemes; rachis tomentose and densely spiny; bracts lanceolate, 8-14 mm long, persistent. Calyx campanulate, 4-6 mm long, tomentose, the sepals reflexed, oblong. Petals yellow, 5.5-8 mm long, spathulate; stamens 10, of which 4 are fertile in the staminate flowers, all sterile in the pistillate flowers; ovary sessile, rudimentary in the staminate flower, the stigma terminal. Legumes oblong, 4-7.5 × 2-4 cm, semiinflated, densely spiny, tardily dehiscent along both sutures. Seeds usually 2, ovoid or almost globose, 1.5-2 cm long, gray.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from October to March.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 807; 2570; 3932; 4021; 11475; Britton, N.L. 209; 287; 1900; 4699; 8326; 9007;Fosberg, F.R. 52287; Underwood, L.M. 701; Prey, N. s.n.; Ricksecker, A.E. 331; Sargent, F.H. 569; Shafer, J.A. 1587; 2730; Stevenson, J.A. 355; 2946.
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Caesalpinia decapetala (Roth) Alst. in Trimen, Handb. Fl. Ceylon 6, Suppl. 89. 1931.

Fig. 95. A-C

Basionym: Reichardia decapetala Roth

Synonyms: Caesalpinia sepiaria Roxb.

Biancaea sepiaria (Roxb.) Todaro

Vine or woody shrub, scandent, attainig 2-3 m in length. Stems puberulent, striate, cylindrical, with numerous lenticels and recurved spines, attaining up to 2 cm in diameter. Leaves bipinnate, paripinnate, 30-45 cm long; pinnae 4-10 pairs, opposite; leaflets 7-12 pairs, opposite, chartaceous, oblong, 8-25 × 8-10 mm, the apex rounded or retuse, the base obtuse to rounded, the margins entire; upper surface dark green, dull; lower surface pale green, dull, punctate, with the midvein prominent, scattered-pubescent, especially along the midvein; petiolules minute; rachis usually with a reddish tinge, spiny, pubescent; petioles spiny, ca. 7 cm long, with the base broadened; stipules triangular, ca. 1 mm long, caducous. Flowers in subaxillary or terminal racemes, up to 35 cm long; rachis unarmed or with some minute spines at the base, pubescent, with stipitate glands; pedicels 2-2.5 cm long; bracts minute. Calyx green, the sepals oblong, ca. 1 cm long, except for one that is almost twice the size of the other four. Petals yellow, almost rounded, 1-1.5 cm long; stamens exserted, filaments unequal, pubescent on the lower half; ovary pubescent. Legume woody, oblong, ca. 7 × 2 cm, dehiscent along the upper suture. Seeds oblong, ca. 1 cm long, dark brown.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from September to June.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7069; Axelrod, F. 6012; 6013; Liogier, A.H. 31396; Sargent, F.H. 560; 3284; Sintenis, P. 203.
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Senna bicapsularis (L.) Roxb., Fl. Ind. ed. 2, 2: 342. 1832.

Fig. 96. A-F

Basionym: Cassia bicapsularis L.

Synonym: Adipera bicapsularis (L.) Britton & Rose

Clambering shrub, with many lateral branches, attainig 3 m in length. Stems slender, cylindrical, smooth, grayish or brown, with some lenticels. Leaves alternate, bipinnate, 3-8 cm long; leaflets 2-5 pairs, 1.5-4 × 1-2.5 cm, obovate to oblanceolate, sub-fleshy, glabrous, the apex truncate, emarginate and usually mucronate, the base asymmetrical, cuneate or subcordiform, the margins entire or slightly undulate; upper surface dark green, dull, sometimes glaucous; lower surface pale green, dull, with the midvein slightly prominent, glaucous; petiolules ca. 2 mm long; rachis sulcate, slender, with a stipitate, ellipsoid gland between the basal pair of leaflets; petioles short, glabrous or puberulent, with the base swollen; stipules minute, lanceolate, early deciduous. Inflorescences of axillary racemes, few-flowered; pedicels 1-3.5 cm long, articulate; bracts lanceolate, deciduous. Calyx forming a turbinate hypanthium, 1.5-3.4 mm long, the sepals 5, oblong-elliptical, yellow, 5-8 mm long, concave, glabrous. Petals yellow, concave, 1-1.5 cm long, cuneate at the base, the central, basal petal obovate, the lateral ones oblong, shorter than the central, basal petal; stamens 10, dimorphic, 3 of which are longer and fertile, the remaining ones sterile; ovary glabrous, the style curved. Fruit an oblong, cylindrical legume, 8-19 × 1-2 cm, septate, indehiscent. Seeds numerous, 4-6 mm long, ellipsoid, brown, shiny.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from November to May.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 705; 841; 2369; 2591; 3917; 4032; Axelrod, F. 9507.
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Protasparagus setaceus (Kunth) Oberm., S. Afr. J. Bot. 2: 244. 1983.

Fig. 172. A-E

Basionym: Asparagopsis setacea Kunth

Synonyms: Asparagus setaceus (Kunth) Jessop

Asparagus plumosus Baker

Semiwoody vine, twining, attainig 2-3 m in length. Stems cylindrical, green, spiny at the base. Phylloclades in dense whorls, needle-like, 3.5-6.5 mm long. Flowers solitary, pendulous; pedicels.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7067; 9349.
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Smilax domingensis Willd, Sp. Pl. 4: 783. 1806.

Fig. 184. G-K

Slightly woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 5-10 m in length. Stems slender, strong, glabrous, smooth, scarcely branched. Leaves alternate, simple, chartaceous, 5-12(15) × 2-6.5 cm, ovate, oblong, elliptical, or broadly elliptical, usually involute, 5-veined, the apex acuminate, the base obtuse, rounded, or less frequently subcordate; the margins entire; upper surface shiny, glabrous; lower surface dull, glabrous, papillose, with prominent venation; petioles 1-1.5 cm long, articulated at the apex, forming a sheath at the base, from which two simple tendrils are borne, 8-12 cm long. Inflorescence axillary, umbelliform, solitary. Flowers greenish, fragrant. Staminate flowers with pedicels 5-9 mm long; tepals elliptical, 3-3.5 mm long. Fruit globose, fleshy, ca. 1 cm in diameter, dark violet or almost black, with a single seed inside.

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

Status: Native, rather common.
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Smilax coriacea Spreng., Syst. Veg. 2: 103. 1825.

Fig. 184. A-F

Synonyms: Smilax ilicifolia sensu Boldingh non Desv.

Smilax havanensis var. portoricensis A. Dc.

Smilax guianensis var. subarmata O.E. Schulz

Smilax coriacea var. ilicifolia O.E. Schulz

Smilax subarmata O.E. Schulz

Slightly woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 5 m or more in length. Stems slender, strong, flexible, puberulent or glabrous, covered with small recurved spines. Leaves coriaceous or rigid-coriaceous, 5.5-12(18) × 2.6-9(12.5) cm, ovate, elliptical, oblong, lanceolate, or linear, 3-7-veined, the apex obtuse, acute, or less frequently rounded or slightly retuse, mucronate, the base rounded, obtuse, or cordiform, the margins revolute and usually spiny; upper surface dark green, shiny, glabrous, with the midvein prominent, the margins revolute and usually spiny; petioles 0.5-2 cm long, articulated at the apex, forming a sheath at the base, from which two simple tendrils are borne. Inflorescences axillary, umbelliform, these solitary or on short flexuous branches, lacking leaves. Flowers greenish or yellowish. Staminate flowers with pedicels ca. 5 mm long, tepals oblong, reflexed, 2-3 mm long. Pistillate flowers with pedicels ca. 3 mm long; tepals ovate, erect, 1.5-1.8 mm long. Fruits globose or depressed-globose, 5-7 mm in diameter, black when ripe.

Phenology: Flowering from January to March and from June to August and fruiting from September to January.

Status: Native, very common.

Commentary: In the first edition of this work, Smilax coriacea was considered a synonym of S. havanensis Jacq. This error is rectified in this edition, since the two species are different and can be distinguished by their pattern of the venation. The secondary veins on the leaves of S. coriacea form an angle with the principal vein that varies from 45º to 90º, while in S. havanensis the secondary veins form an angle with the principal vein that varies from 25º to 35º. Smilax havanensis is found in Cuba and in Hispaniola, but it is not found in Puerto Rico, nor in the Virgin Islands.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3818; 7211; 9339; 11395; 11418; 11848; Axelrod, F. 11103; 11160.
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Epipremnum pinnatum (L.) Engler, Pflanzenr. Iv (23B) 37: 60. 1908.

Fig. 166. A-C

Basionym: Pothos pinnata L.

Synonym: Philodendron nechodomi Britt.

Non-woody vine, glabrous, that climbs by means of aerial roots and attains 6-8 m in length. Stems flexible, cylindrical, green, with a papyraceous epidermis, up to 3 cm in diameter, producing scarce watery latex when cut. Leaves alternate, chartaceous, dimorphic, the juvenile leaves entire, the adult leaves pendulous, pinnately compound, up to 50 x 30 cm, the apex terminating in a leaflet or acuminate segment, the base asymmetrical, subcordiform; upper surface dull, glabrous, the venation flat; lower surface dull, with prominent venation, with a line of domatia on both sides of the midvein, this sometimes with small spiniform outgrowths; petioles up to 35 cm long, marginate along their length. Inflorescence axillary, solitary, erect; spathe almost cylindrical, up to 18 cm long, opening along one side, fleshy, yellowish, acuminate at the apex, deciduous; spadix sessile, more or less cylindrical, 12-15 cm long.

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

Status: Exotic, cultivated although uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7141; 10838; 11260; Howard, R.A. 16921.
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Chiococca alba (L.) Hitchc., Rep. Missouri Bot. Gard. 4: 94. 1893.

Fig. 146. A-H

Basionym: Lonicera alba L

Synonyms: Chiococca racemosa L.

Chiococca parvifolia Griseb.

Chiococca alba (L.) Hitchc. var. parvifolia (Griseb.) Urb.

Chiococca alba (L.) Hitchc. ssp. parvifolia (Griseb.) Steyerm.

Woody vine or shrub, twining, attainig 3-10 m in length. Stems sulcate, with numerous opposite lateral branches; cross section of the mature stem with several cortical vascular bundles. Leaves opposite, coriaceous, elliptical, lanceolate, ovate, or oblong, 3-8 × 1-3.5 cm, the apex obtuse, acute, or acuminate, the base obtuse or acute, the margins entire, revolute; upper surface dark green, dull; lower surface light green, dull, with the midvein prominent; petioles 4-7 mm long, glabrous or puberulent; stipules ca. 2 mm long, acicular. Flowers bisexual or pistillate, in axillary racemes, 2-5 cm long; pedicels 3.5-5 mm long. Hypanthium green, glabrous, laterally flattened, ca. 2 mm long, crowned by a crateriform calyx, 1-1.2 mm long, the sepals triangular, ca. 0.5 mm long; corolla infundibuliform, pentagonal, intense yellow, usually with reddish lines on the angles (purple in the floral buds), the tube 4.5-6 mm long, the lobes reflexed, 1.5-3 mm long; stamens slightly exserted, the filaments unequal, pilose, connate at the base into a short tube; style bilobate, exserted in the pistillate flowers. Fruit a circular drupe, laterally flattened, 5-7 mm long, fleshy, white when ripe.

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

Status: Native, very common.

Commentary: There is too much variation in the characters that have been utilized to distinguish Chiococca alba from C. parvifolia, so that it is not possible to distinguish two species with certainty. For this reason, I consider C. alba in a broader sense, including C. parvifolia. On the other hand, in Puerto Rico there is another species of Chiococca that I consider to be in accordance with the original description of C. micrantha Johnst. This species is not included in this work, since it is of shrubby habit.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 162; 708; 1914; 2199; 2432; 2592; 3129; 3821; 5077; 5173; 7020; 7033; 7075; 7194; 7209; 9491; 10500; 11338; Axelrod, F. 4754; Britton, N.L. 1063; Fosberg, F.R. 44165; 51352; Holdridge, L. 232; Liogier, A.H. 9895; Sargent, F.H. 702; Shafer, J.A. 2945; 3792; Sintenis, P. 1; 278; 774; 1948; 2393; 2483; 3421; 6199; 6550; Stevenson, J.A. 269; 1798; Underwood, L.M. 157; 907; Webster, G.L. 8869.
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Hillia parasitica Jacq., Enum. Pl. Carib. 18. 1760.

Fig. 146. M-P

Synonym: Hillia longiflora Sw.

Hilia, Flor de sierra, Tibey trepador Clambering or epiphytic shrub, climbing by means of adventitious roots, attainig 2-3 m in length. Stems cylindrical, brown, with pendulous lateral branches. Leaves opposite, coriaceous, glabrous, 3.5-12 × 1.7-6.5 cm, elliptical or oblanceolate, the apex abruptly acuminate, revolute, the base acute, the margins entire, revolute; upper surface dark green, shiny, with the midvein yellowish; lower surface pale green, with the midvein slightly prominent; petioles cylindrical, 10-20 mm long; stipules oblong, 1-5.5 cm long, membranaceous, deciduous. Flowers solitary, terminal on lateral branches, subtended by a pair of oblong bracts, 15-18 mm long. Calyx tubular, 3-5 mm long, green; corolla white, the tube narrow, 6-10 cm long, the limb with 4-7 slender lobes, 2-4 cm long, spreading, reflexed at the apex. Capsule cylindrical, 5-12 cm long, laterally compressed. Seeds numerous, elliptical, ca. 1 mm long, with a tuft of silky fibers, ca. 2 cm long, in the apical portion.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting almost throughout the year.

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 4657; 7112; 7931; Britton, N.L. 924; 2020; 2203; 2591; 5525; 6541; Fosberg, F.R. 51339; Pfeifer 2485; Shafer, J.A. 3443; Sintenis, P. 525; Wagner 1752.
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Sabicea villosa Roem. & Schult., Veg. 5: 265. 1819.

Fig. 148. A-D

Synonym: Sabicea hirsuta Kunth

Herbaceous or slightly woody vine, twining, attainig 5 m in length. Stem green, hirsute, cylindrical, glabrescent, attaining 5 mm in diameter. Leaves opposite, membranaceous, 6-12 × 3.2-5.5 cm, ovate, oblong or elliptical, the apex acuminate, the base obtuse or less frequently attenuate, unequal, the margins entire, ciliate; upper surface sparsely hirsute, with the venation sunken; lower surface sparsely hirsute, particularly on the prominent veins; petioles hirsute, 7-14 mm long; stipules broadly ovate, 6-7 mm long, strigulose on the outer surface, persistent. Flowers sessile, in axillary clusters; bracts ovate, 3-5 mm long. Calyx green, strigose, 2-2.5 mm long, the lobes 5, expanded, glabrous; corolla tubular, white, strigose, 6-7 mm long. Berry globose or ellipsoid, fleshy, strigose, 7-10 mm long, purple, with the sepals persistent at the apex. Seeds numerous, ca. 0.5 mm long, cuneiform.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting during most of the year.

Status: Native, not very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Sintenis, P. 263; Wilson, P. 232.
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Lasiacis sorghoidea (Desv.) Hitchc., Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 18(7): 338. 1917.

Fig. 183. A-D

Basionym: Panicum sorghoideum Desv.

Synonyms: Panicum divaricatum L. var. lanatum Schltdl. & Cham.

Panicum fuscum Sieber ex Griseb.

Lasiacis swartziana (Hitchc.) Hitchc.

Perennial herb; culms 1-10 m in length, erect, decumbent, or scandent. Leaves distichous; leaf sheath pubescent, papillose or hispid; ligule (0.3)0.5-1.5(-2.6) mm long; blades lanceolate, ovate or linear, flattened, (6-)9-19(-23) cm ×(6)12-34(46) mm, smooth, pubescent on the upper surface. Inflorescences ovate; primary axis (5-)9-25(-35) cm long; secondary axes 4-9 cm long, appressed or spreading. Spikelets solitary, obovoid or ellipsoid, (3-)3.4-4.1 × 2.5-3.2 mm; lower glumes (1.2-)1.5-2.1 mm long, 7-11-veined; upper glumes 3-4.3 mm long, 9-13-veined.

Phenology: Collected in fertile condition from November to April.

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3844; 3853; Britton, N.L. 6450; Chase, A. 6218; 6419; 6457; 6728; 6760; 6809; Heller, A.A. 4375; Hess, W.E. 75; Holm 74; Shafer, J.A. 2570; Sintenis, P. 2861; 3062.
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Lasiacis divaricata (L.) Hitchc., Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 15: 16. 1910.

Fig. 182. E-G

Basionym: Panicum divaricatum L.

Synonyms: Panicum bambusoides Desv. ex Ham.

Lasiacis harrisii Nash

Perennial herb; culms 0.5-5 m in length, erect or scandent; brittle, cylindrical, up to 6 mm in diameter. Leaves distichous; leaf sheath glabrous; ligule 0.2-0.6 mm long; blades lanceolate to linear, flattened, (3-)5-12(-16) cm long by (3-)6-14(20)mm wide, glabrous except for some hairs on the midvein. Inflorescences ovate; primary axis 2-12(20) cm long; secondary axes 2-8(12) cm long. Spikelets solitary, obovoid, (3.5)3.7-4.3 × 2.1-2.6 mm; lower glumes 1.4-2 mm long, 7-11-veined; upper glumes 3.5-4.5 mm long, 9-11-veined.

Phenology: Collected in fertile condition from September to February.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 213; 825; 1886; 2288; 2415; 2638; 2681; 3169; 3795; 5218; 5247; 6984; 7155; 10488; 10574; 10931; 11429; Barrett 9; Britton, N.L. 2623; Chase, A. 6224; 6225; 6335; 6365; 6379; 6420; 6521; 6532; 6543; 6560; 6578; 6587; 6610; 6683; 6726; 6742; 6782; 6814; Edelman, D.K. 2; Hess, W.E. 454; Otero, J. 255; Sintenis, P. 2470; Underwood, L.M. 144.
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Olyra latifolia L., Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 1261. 1759.

Fig. 183. E-H

Perennial herb; culms erect or climbing, 1-6m in length, 3-12 mm in diameter, brittle, hollow inside, with numerous branches from the middle and upper nodes; nodes somewhat collapsed, pilose or glabrous. Leaf sheath pilose or glabrous; auricles up to 5 mm long; ligules 0.7-5 mm long; blades lanceolate to ovate, 10-32 × 3-11 cm, the base obtuse or subcordate, the apex acuminate. Panicles pyramidal, 7-20 × 4-14 cm, on peduncles ca. 15 cm long.

Phenology: Collected in fertile condition in October and January.

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 5123; 5153; 5246; 7156; Axelrod, F. 5080; Chase, A. 6175; 6200; 6334; 6416; 6570; 6645; 6732; Heller, A.A. 4583; McKee 10601; Sintenis, P. 138; 2396; 4764; Soderstrom, T.R. 1802; Stimson 1229; Wetmore 172.
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Dioscorea polygonoides Humboldt & Bonpland ex Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 795. 1806.

Fig. 176. A-I

Non-woody vine, twining, attainig 8 m or more in length. Stems glabrous, more or less cylindrical. Leaves alternate, ovate, 7-11-veined, chartaceous or membranaceous, (4)8-21 × (2.7)5-17 cm, the apex acuminate, the base cordiform; upper surface shiny, the venation slightly prominent; lower surface dull, the venation prominent; petiole 5-8 cm long, the base marginate, not extended like a pseudostipule; bulbils angular, up to 5 cm wide, smooth. Inflorescences axillary, pendulous; the staminate ones solitary or in pairs, simple or sometimes branched, up to 50 cm long, with the flowers grouped in sessile lateral cymes; the pistillate ones simple, up to 30 cm long, with the flowers solitary. Flowers minute, sessile, white or pale green; staminate flowers with the perianth ca. 1 mm long; fertile stamens 3; pistillate flowers with the perianth ca. 1 mm long and the hypanthium ca. 2 mm long. Capsules 3-winged, 2.5-3.2 cm long, in a position almost perpendicular to the rachis of the spike. Seeds 2 per locule, almost circular, ca. 5 mm in diameter.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 140; 2977; 7078; 9317; 10812.
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Dioscorea pilosiuscula Bertero ex Spreng., Syst. Veg. ed. 16, 2: 152. 1825.

Fig. 175. L-P

Non-woody vine, twining, attainig 4-8 m in length. Stems slender, strong, almost cylindrical or slightly angular, glabrous or puberulent. Leaves alternate, 5-7-veined, oblong-ovate or ovate, 5.5-12 × 2.5-6.5 cm, chartaceous, the apex longacuminate, the base cordiform, the margins undulate; upper surface slightly shiny, glabrous, the venation sunken; lower surface pale green, dull, with prominent venation, pilose; petioles slender, glabrous or puberulent, 1.5-4 cm long, sulcate and with both extremities swollen, provided with a pair of small ovoid tubercles in the axil. Inflorescences axillary, pendulous. Staminate flowers unknown in the populations of the Antilles; pistillate flowers with the perianth 1.5-2 mm long. Capsule oblong, 1-2.5 cm long. Seeds ca. 8 mm long, with a basal wing.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from December to July.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 399; 2419; 2645; Sintenis 1384b.
less ↑

Dioscorea alata L., Sp. Pl. 1033. 1753.

Fig. 174. A-E

Synonym: Rajania flexuosa Bello

Non-woody vine, twining (toward the right), glabrous, attainig 10-15 m in length. Stems quadrangular, with 4 longitudinal projections, winged, undulate, green or reddish; mature stems (at the base) cylindrical and spiny. Leaves mostly opposite, sometimes alternate on branches of rapid growth, coriaceous, broadly ovate, 5-7-veined, 10-30 × 5-18 cm, the apex acute or acuminate, sometimes reflexed, the base cordiform; upper surface dark green, shiny, with the venation sunken; lower surface pale green, dull, with prominent venation; petioles 4-12 cm long, 4-winged, forming an auriculate sheath at the base, with a pair of pseudostipules that enclose the stem; bulbils elongate, pendulous, attaining 15 cm long, produced when the leaves begin to wither. Inflorescences axillary, unisexual, pendulous; the staminate ones paniculate, 5-15 cm long, with numerous lateral and flexuous spikes that contain numerous male flowers; the pistillate ones racemose, with few flowers. Staminate flowers with the perianth 1-1.5 mm long; pistillate flowers with the perianth 2-2.8 mm long. Capsule 3-locular, 2-3 cm wide, each locule flattened like a wing, with two seeds inside.

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

Status: Exotic, naturalized, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7047; 7076; Goll, G.P. 137; 1066; Sargent, F.H. B48; Sintenis, P. 448; 4509; Stevenson, J.A. 2100; Underwood, L.M. 358.
less ↑

Vanilla pompona Schiede, Linnaea 4: 573. 1829.

Fig. 180. G-H

Non-woody vine, glabrous, scarcely branched, that climbs by means of aerial roots and attains 5 m in length. Stems cylindrical, 12-15 mm in diameter, producing watery and caustic latex when wounded; internodes up to 20 cm long; nodes swollen, with an annular scar, producing 1 adventitious root per node; the lateral branches pendulous. Leaves persistent, oblong-ovate or oblong-elliptical, fleshy, rigid, flat, almost sessile, 20-30 × 6-10 cm, the apex acute or obtuse, the base obtuse; both surfaces dull, with the parallel venation prominent; petioles ca. 1.5 cm long. Inflorescence an axillary raceme, with many flowers; bracts fleshy, broadly ovate, 1.2-2.5 cm long. Sepals greenish yellow or yellowish creamcolored, free, expanded, oblanceolate, obtuse, or rounded, ca. 9 × 1-2 cm. Petals similar, but dorsally keeled; lip yellow-orange, entire, unguiculate, adnate along the column; column slender, semicylindrical, ca. 7 cm long, barbate in the area near the stigma. Fruits pendulous, fusiform, ca. 18 × 2.5 cm.

Phenology:Flowering from March to May, but not producing fruits in Puerto Rico because its natural pollinators are not found on the island.

Status: Exotic, persistent, uncommon.
less ↑

Vanilla planifolia Jackson in Andrews, Bot. Repos. 8: t. 538. 1808.

Fig. 179. F-G

Non-woody vine, glabrous, scarcely branched, that climbs by means of aerial roots and attains 7-10 m in length. Stems cylindrical, 5-10 mm in diameter, producing watery and caustic latex when wounded; internodes up to 12 cm long; nodes slightly swollen, producing a single adventitious root per node; the lateral branches pendulous. Leaves persistent, oblong, elliptical, or ovate, fleshy, rigid, 14-25 × 4.5-8 cm, the apex acute or acuminate, the margins entire, slightly revolute; upper surface dull; lower surface dull; petioles 1-1.5 cm long, thick. Inflorescence a pendulous axillary raceme, few-flowered; peduncle flexuous; bracts fleshy, broadly ovate, 5-10 mm long. Sepals yellowish green, thick, free, expanded, 3.5-5.5 × 1.3 cm, elliptic-oblanceolate. Petals similar, but dorsally keeled and smaller; lip greenish yellow, reflexed at the apex, with a retuse apical lobe, the basal portion unguiculate, adnate to the column; column arcuate, 3-3.5 cm long. Fruits black when ripe, pendulous, cylindrical, fragrant, up to 25 cm long.

Phenology:Flowering from February to April, but rarely producing fruits, because its natural pollinators are not found in Puerto Rico.

Status: Exotic, naturalized by asexual reproduction.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 4058; 7077; 9323.
less ↑

Vanilla mexicana Miller, Gard. Dict. ed. 8, no. 1. 1768.

Fig. 179. A-C

Synonyms: Vanilla vanilla (L.) Britton, nom. inadmis.

Vanilla inodora Schiede

Non-woody vine, glabrous, scarcely branched, that climbs by means of aerial roots and attains 5 m or more in length. Stems cylindrical, 2-3(5) mm in diameter, producing watery and caustic latex when wounded; internodes 7.5-20 cm long; nodes swollen, with an annular scar, producing a single adventitious root per node; the lateral branches pendulous. Leaves persistent, elliptical or broadly ovate, fleshy-coriaceous, 13-25 × 6.5-12.5 cm, the apex acuminate, the margins entire, flat; both surfaces dull, glabrous, with prominent venation; petioles thick, 0.5-1 cm long. Inflorescence an axillary raceme, few-flowered; bracts fleshy, broadly ovate, 2.5 cm long. Sepals green, thick, rigid, free, expanded, up to 6.5 × 2 cm, oblong-lanceolate to lanceolate-elliptical. Petals similar, but dorsally keeled and smaller; lip trilobate, white with a yellow crest, the basal portion adnate along 5 mm of the column; column white, slender, 2-2.5 cm long. Fruits pendulous, cylindrical, up to 27 cm long.

Phenology: Flowering from March to May, producing fruits in Puerto Rico only by artificial pollination.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and escaped, rare.

Selected Specimens Examined: Axelrod, F. 5639; Eggers, B. 1322.
less ↑

Vanilla dilloniana Correll, Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 15: 331. 1946.

Fig. 179. A-C

Non-woody vine, glabrous, scarcely branched, that climbs by means of aerial roots and attains 5-7 m in length. Stems cylindrical, 4-8 mm in diameter, producing abundant watery and caustic latex when wounded; internodes up to 20 cm long; nodes slightly swollen, producing 1 or 2 grayish roots; the lateral branches pendulous. Leaves persistent, lanceolate-triangular, fleshy, sessile, 3-3.5 × 1-1.4 cm, the apex reflexed, the margins involute; upper surface dull; lower surface dull. Inflorescence a pendulous axillary raceme, fewflowered; bracts fleshy, broadly ovate, 5-7 mm long. Sepals light green, free, expanded, 4.8-5.5 × 0.8-1.2 cm, the dorsal sepal concave, narrowly oblong-elliptical, the lateral ones similar but falcate, 4.5-5 × 0.9-13 cm. Petals light green, oblong-oblanceolate, keeled, 4.1-5 × 1.1-1.4 cm; lip crenulate, obscurely trilobate, purple-brown, pale toward the margins and the throat, the basal portion adnate to the lower half of the column; column arcuate, slender, 3.2 cm long. Fruits pendulous, fusiform-clavate, ca. 16 cm long and 12 mm in diameter, changing from green to yellow-orange when ripe, partially dehiscent at the apex; seeds minute, numerous, black, in a white gelatinous matrix.

Phenology:Flowering from March to May and fruiting from September to January.

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7058; 7182.
less ↑

Vanilla barbellata Reichenb. f. , Flora 48: 274. 1865.

Fig. 178. A-E

Non-woody vine, glabrous, scarcely branched, that climbs by means of aerial roots and attains 5-7 m in length. Stems cylindrical, 3-9 mm in diameter, producing abundant watery and caustic latex when wounded; internodes 8-13 cm long; nodes swollen, with an annular scar, producing 1 or 2 grayish roots; the lateral branches pendulous. Leaves early deciduous, sessile, linear-lanceolate, chartaceous, 4-5 × 0.8 cm, the apex acute, the margins entire, not revolute; upper surface dull; lower surface dull. Inflorescence a pendulous axillary raceme with few or many flowers; bracts fleshy, broadly ovate, 4-12 mm long. Sepals green, open, free, oblong to oblanceolate, 3-4 × 0.9-1.2 cm. Petals similar to the sepals but slightly falcate, dorsally keeled and somewhat broader (1-1.3 cm); lip trilobate, greenish on the outer surface, red on the inner surface in the center, but turning white toward the margins, the center with a tuft of barbate and rigid hairs, the basal portion adnate to the column; column straight, almost cylindrical, 2.3-3.3 cm long. Fruits pendulous, fusiform or cylindrical, slightly recurved, changing from green to yellow-orange when ripe, 7-9 cm long, 9-13 mm in diameter.

Phenology: Flowering from April to June(Ackerman, 1995), collected in fruit in January.

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 4142; 10953; 11389.
less ↑

Syngonium podophyllum Schott, Bot. Zeitung(Berlin) 9: 85. 1851.

Fig. 171. A-C

Vine attainig 10 m in length, climbing by means of adventitious roots that it produces in the area of the nodes. Stems cylindrical, glaucous, 1-2 cm in diameter, producing milky latex when wounded. Juvenile plants with hastate leaves; adult plants with dimorphic leaves, the basal leaves hastate, the distal leaves digitate, with 3-11 leaflets, coriaceous, united or free at the base, the basal leaflets smaller and auriculate at the base, the middle leaflets 16-38 × 6-17 cm, obovate, elliptical, or lanceolate, with the apex acuminate; petioles 15-60 cm long, almost cylindrical. Inflorescences in groups of 4-11, ascendant; peduncles 8-9 cm long, slender; spathe ca. 10 cm long, convolute at the base to form a tube, the limb cream-colored on the inner surface, green outside, concave, ephemeral; spadix whitish, sessile, cylindrical, with a constriction between the area of pistillate flowers and the staminate flowers. Syncarp ovoid, red, reddish orange, or yellow, 3-5.5 cm long.

Phenology: Collected in flower in February, July and August.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 4061; 6968; 7122; 9326; 9331; 9351.
less ↑

Philodendron hederaceum (Jacq.) Schott, Wiener Zeitschr. Kunst 1829: 780. 1829.

Fig. 168. C-D

Basionym: Arum hederaceum Jacq.

Synonyms: Philodendron scandens Koch & Sello

Philodendron micans Klotzsch ex Koch

Philodendron oxycardium sensu Britton non Schott

Philodendron isertianum Schott

Non-woody vine, glabrous, that climbs by means of aerial roots and attains 10 m in length. Stems cylindrical and smooth, producing watery and caustic latex when wounded; juvenile stems flexuous, with short internodes (ca. 10 cm); adult stems up to 2 cm in diameter, the internodes elongate and with nodes that present an annular scar; the lateral branches pendulous. Cataphylls up to 12 cm long, caducous. Leaves broadly ovate, coriaceous, 14-30 × 10-20 cm, the apex acuminate to cuspidate, the base cordiform, the margins entire or slightly undulate, pale; upper surface dull, sometimes glaucous, with the midvein prominent and broadened; lower surface yellowish green, dull, with the midvein and some of the lateral veins prominent; petioles arcuate or ascendant, 10-15 cm long, almost cylindrical. Inflorescence axillary, solitary, ascendant; peduncles robust, 5-9 cm long; spathe persistent, ca. 15 cm long, thick, convolute, almost cylindrical, yellowish outside and reddish inside when mature; spadix almost sessile, cylindrical, robust, whitish, as long as the spathe.

Phenology: Collected in flower from May to August.

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2610; 2880; 11360; Britton, N.L. 1691; 4489; 4544.
less ↑

Philodendron giganteum Schott, Syn. Aroid. 89. 1856.

Fig. 169. A-D

Terrestrial or epiphytic herb, erect or sometimes creeping, attainig 8 m in length. Stems cylindrical, 8-10 cm in diameter, producing watery latex when wounded. Cataphylls up to 60 cm long, decomposing into persistent fibers. Leaves 25-60 × 17-50 cm, lanceolate or triangularlanceolate, coriaceous, the apex obtuse to acute, the base cordiform, the lobes not overlapping; lower surface slightly pale; petioles erect, almost cylindrical, attaining up to 1 m in length. Inflorescence axillary, solitary; peduncles robust, 6-9 cm long; spathe 14-21 cm long, convolute, constricted in the central part, greenish outside, with the base pink-burgundy, white on the inner surface; spadix sessile, robust, as long as the spathe, the staminal portion whitish and the pistillate portion greenish yellow. Berries yellow or orange.

Phenology: Collected in flower from February to April.

Status: Native, not very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 4165; 10806; Britton, N.L. 1685; 4312; Sintenis, P. 757.
less ↑

Monstera adansonii Schott, Wiener Zeitschr. Kunst 1830: 1028. 1830.

Fig. 167. A-C

Non-woody vine, glabrous, that climbs by means of aerial roots and attains 5-10 m in length. Stems flexible, cylindrical, green, 0.5-2.5 cm in diameter, producing scarce watery latex when cut. Leaves alternate, dimorphic, chartaceous, entire, asymmetrically elliptic-lanceolate, the basal leaves not perforated, the distal leaves with numerous perforations, 26-47 x 13-22.5 cm, the apex short- or long-acuminate, the base asymmetrical, cuneate-obtuse; upper surface dull, with a flat, broad midvein; lower surface pale green, with the midvein prominent and the secondary venation darker; petioles winged almost to the apex, shorter than the blade. Inflorescence axillary, solitary, erect; spathe almost cylindrical, up to 20 cm long, opening along one side, green outside, cream-colored on the inner surface.

Phenology: Collected in flower in February.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 9313. Philodendron consanguineum: Breckon, G. 4264; Britton, N.L. 1656; 2586; 4313; Goll, G.P. 1032; Sargent, F.H. 342; Sintenis, P. 4347; Stevenson, J.A. 3494; Underwood, L.M. 753.
less ↑

Anthurium scandens (Aubl.) Engler in Mart., Fl. Bras. 3(2): 78. 1878.

Fig. 165. A-F

Basionym: Dracontium scandens Aubl.

Herbaceous epiphytic vine, that climbs by means of adventitious roots and attains 1-2 m in length. Stems cylindrical, the internodes covered by a fibrous leaf sheath. Leaves simple, alternate, lanceolate-elliptical or elliptical, 7-13 × 2.5-5 cm, chartaceous, the apex acuminate, the base obtuse or attenuate, the margins entire; upper surface glabrous, foveolate; lower surface glabrous, with numerous dark dots; petioles 0.7-4.5 cm long; leaf sheath stramineous, fibrous, persistent, ca. 3 cm long. Inflorescences axillary, erect; spadix in flower 1.5-2 cm long; spathe reflexed, membranaceous, green, with the venation mulberry-colored, 1-1.2 cm long. Tepals 4, green or brown, ca. 1 mm long, cuneiform, involute; anthers stramineous; ovary green. Berries depressed-globose, ca. 5 mm in diameter, juicy, white when ripe. Seeds ellipsoid, ca. 1 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting probably throughout the year.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7113; 7132; 9339; 9395; 10661; 11880; Britton, N.L. 1031; 4138; Eggers, B. 1210; Heller, A.A. 6357; Proctor, G.R. 46929; Shafer, J.A. 3562; Sintenis, P. 1505; Stevenson, J.A. 5044; Underwood, L.M. 415.
less ↑

Dalechampia scandens L., Sp. Pl. 1054. 1753.

Fig. 93. A-E

Herbaceous vine, twining, attainig 5 m in length. Stems cylindrical, slender, pilose. Leaves alternate, membranaceous, deeply trilobate, 5-7 × 6-12 cm, the apex acute or acuminate, the base cordiform, the margins denticulate; upper surface puberulent, with slightly prominent venation; lower surface pilose, with prominent venation; petioles 6-8 cm long, pilose; stipules ovate or lanceolate, 0.5-1 cm long. Pseudanthium on peduncles 4 cm long; bracts 3(-5)-lobate, up to 2.5 cm long, foliaceous, with the margins serrate, with stinging glandular hairs. Staminate flowers in distal cymules. Calyx of 4 sepals, ca. 1.5 mm long; stamens numerous, forming a head. Pistillate flowers in basal cymules. Calyx of 10-12 sepals; ovary trilobate. Capsule trilobate, puberulent, ca. 5 mm long. Seeds globose, ca. 3 mm in diameter, with black spots.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 600; 660; 1048; 1882; 2325; Axelrod, F. 6231; Sintenis, P. 626; 3579; Stevenson, J.A. 2158.
less ↑

Tragia volubilis L., Sp. Pl. 980. 1753.

Fig. 93. F-J

Climbing or creeping vine, twining, attainig 1-3 m in length. Stems slender, with appressed and glandular stinging hairs. Leaves alternate, usually clustered on short lateral branches, membranaceous, oblong, ovate, or lanceolate, 2-8 × 0.9-4 cm, the apex acuminate, the base subtruncate or cordiform, the margins serrate; upper surface pale green, with stinging glandular hairs, the midvein slightly prominent; lower surface pale green, with prominent venation, puberulent; petioles slender, 0.3-6 cm long; stipules subulate, ca. 4 mm long. Flowers greenish, in axillary racemes. Staminate flowers numerous, along the length of the inflorescence. Calyx 0.8-1 mm long; stamens 2-3. Pistillate flowers on long pedicels at the base of the raceme. Calyx ca. 1 mm long, pilose; ovary hispid. Capsule with three rounded lobes, ca. 7 mm in diameter, covered with stinging hairs. Seeds globose, ca. 2 mm in diameter, brown, smooth.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting almost throughout the year.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 703; Britton, N.L. 36; 337; Goll, G.P. 539; 631; 1024; Heller, A.A. 340; Millspaugh 696; Sargent, F.H. A75; Sintenis, P. 722; Stevenson, J.A. 991; 1974; Underwood, L.M. 393; 728.
less ↑

Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd., Sp. Pl. ed. 2, 348. 1799.

Fig. 129. G-H

Woody shrub, erect or clambering, attainig 5 m in length. Branches pilose, with straight, axillary, pilose spines. Leaves alternate, 2.6-2.5 × 2.7-5 cm, chartaceous, ovate, the apex acute, obtuse, or acuminate, the base obtuse, rounded, or attenuate, slightly asymmetrical, the margins sinuate; lower surface tomentulose, with prominent pilose venation; petioles slender, 1-2.3 cm long, pilose. Dichasial cymes compound, on axillary branches or at the end of axillary spines, the axes pilose; bracts ovate, pubescent, pilose along the midvein, cordiform at the base, 3.6.5.5 cm long, red or deep pink. Perianth tubularhypocrateriform, 2.2-3 mm long, pilose.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year.

Status: Exotic, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Sintenis, P. 698; Stevenson, J.A. 322.
less ↑

Cardiospermum halicacabum var. microcarpum (Kunth) Blume, Rumphia 3: 183. 1847.

Basionym: Cardiospermum microcarpum Kunth

Distinguished from the typical variety by the presence of turbinate-trigonal fruits, truncate at the apex and of smaller size (see the key).

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

Status: Apparently native, rather common. less ↑

Marsdenia floribunda (Brongn.) Schltr. in Urb., Symb. Antill. 1: 275. 1899.

Fig. 27. E-H

Basionym: Stephanotis floribunda Brongn.

Woody vine, twining, 3-5 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems cylindrical, glabrous, striate, lenticellate. Leaves opposite; blades 5-12 × 2.2-3.5 cm, elliptical, coriaceous, glabrous, the apex short-acuminate, the base rounded to subcordiform, the margins entire, markedly revolute; upper surface dull, with 5 minute, conical glands, on the portion adjacent to the petiole; lower surface pale green, dull, with a prominent midvein; petioles 1-2 cm long, glabrous; intrapetiolar stipules acicular, minute. Flowers numerous, fragrant, in axillary umbels, ascending; peduncle 2-2.5 cm long; pedicels 2.5-3 cm long. Calyx crateriform to rotate, green, the sepals oblong, obtuse, sometimes minutely ciliate, glabrous; corolla white or cream-colored, hypocrateriform, 2.5-5 cm long, glabrous, the lobes oblong, obtuse, ca. 1 cm long; corona absent; anthers sessile, lanceolate; stigma conical. Follicles 7.5-10 cm long.

Phenology:Collected in flower in September.

Status: Exotic, common, cultivated.
less ↑

Clematis flammulastrum Griseb., Pl. Wright. 153. 1860.

Fig. 4.E, 143. E-I

Slightly woody vine, dioecious, that climbs by means of twining leaves and attains 3-4 m in length. Stems slender, almost cylindrical, brittle, puberulent, especially at the nodes; mature stems fissured, with corky bark, attaining ca. 1 cm in diameter. Leaves opposite, 5-9-foliolate; leaflets coriaceous, ovate, lanceolate, oblong, or sometimes deltate in outline, 2.5-6 × 0.8-3.6 cm, the apex acute or acuminate, the base rounded or subcordiform, the margins revolute, lobateserrate, especially on the basal leaflets; upper surface slightly shiny, glabrous or puberulent, with the venation sunken; lower surface pale green, dull, glabrous or puberulent, with prominent venation; petiolules puberulent, 5-15 mm long; petioles 2-7 cm long, puberulent. Inflorescences axillary or terminal on short lateral branches; flowers unisexual, in paniculiform dichasial cymes; pedicels 2.5-3.2 cm long, strigulose, with a pair of minute bracteoles almost at the base. Sepals oblanceolate or obovate, 8-10 mm long, sericeous on the surface; stamens 35-60, unequal; carpels 20-30(50), ca. 6 mm long. Fruit an elliptical achene, flattened, 3-4 mm long, pilose, with the margin thickened on one border, the style plumose, persistent, 1.5-3 cm long, dispersed by the wind.

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

Status: Native, not very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7224; 10221; Britton, N.L. 1762; Heller, A.A. 6156; Sintenis, P. 43; Stevenson, J.A. 1074; 1158.
less ↑

Clematis polygama Jacq., Enum. Syst. Pl. 24. 1760.

Fig. 143. A-D

Slightly woody vine, dioecious, that climbs by means of twining leaves and attains 10 m in length. Stems slender, cylindrical, sulcate, pilose or strigose, with many lateral branches. Leaves opposite, trifoliolate; leaflets chartaceous, ovate or lanceolate, 5-11 × 2-8 cm, the apex acute or acuminate, the base rounded or subcordiform, the margins entire, not lobate, sometimes with 1-3(5) teeth; upper surface dull, glabrous or sparsely strigulose; lower surface pale green, dull, glabrous or sparsely strigulose, with prominent venation; petiolules strigulose, the terminal one 0.7-3.5 cm long, the lateral ones 0.4-2 cm long; petioles 3-13 cm long, strigulose. Flowers unisexual, in axillary simple dichasial cymes, sometimes solitary; peduncles strigose; pedicels 1.2-3 cm long, strigose, with a pair of minute bracteoles near the base. Sepals white, cream-colored, or pale green, oblong or elliptical, 8-10 mm long, sericeous-pubescent on the outer surface; stamens 16-66, unequal; carpels 20-60, ca. 6 mm long. Fruit an elliptical achene, compressed, ca. 4 mm long, pilose, the margin thickened, the style plumose, persistent, 4-6 cm long, dispersed by the wind.

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

Status: Native, relatively common.

Commentary: The three species present in Puerto Rico had been treated as a single species under the name of Clematis dioica. The revision of Moreno (1993) reveals the presence of three species in Puerto Rico, with C. dioica limited to the Greater Antilles. The species that is found in the Lesser Antilles corresponds, according to her, to C. guadeloupae Pers.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7234; Axelrod, F. 8473; Sintenis, P. 2255; 2949; 6207.
less ↑

Ipomoea tiliacea (Willd.) Choisy in A.Dc., Prodr. 9: 375. 1845.

Fig. 71. D-H

Basionym: Convolvulus tiliaceus Willd.

Slightly woody vine, twining, 5-10 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems glabrous or pubescent, striate, cylindrical. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 5-20 × 4-14 cm, ovate, chartaceous, sometimes 3-5-lobed, the apex acuminate, the base cordiform, the margins undulate, ciliate; upper surface dark green, dull, usually with the venation sunken, glabrous except for the pilose midvein; lower surface pale green, with prominent venation, slightly pubescent; petioles 4-25 cm long, sulcate, puberulous. Flowers in double dichasia, axillary; peduncles shorter than the petioles. Calyx green, not accrescent, sepals unequal, 8-12 mm long, oblanceolate, glabrous, apiculate at the apex; corolla violet-pink to pale pink, with the center darker, infundibuliform, 5-6 cm long, the limb with 5 rounded lobes; stamens and stigmas not exserted. Capsule depressedglobose, 8-10 mm in diameter, the pericarp thin, light brown; seeds 4 per fruit, glabrous, dark brown, dull, angular, 3.5-4 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 524; 2468; 2650; 3763; 6207; 9306; 9332; 11230; Britton, N.L. 127; 1505; 1608; 5529; Heller, A.A. 971; 6341; Johnston, J.R. 873; Prey, N. 91; Shafer, J.A. 2449; Stevenson, J.A. 67; 292; Underwood, L.M. 127.
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Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.), family Cucurbitaceae) is a vine-like (scrambler and trailer) flowering plant originally from southern Africa. Its fruit, which is also called watermelon, is a special kind referred to by botanists as a pepo, a berry which has a thick rind (exocarp) and fleshy center (mesocarp and endocarp). Pepos are derived from an inferior ovary, and are characteristic of the Cucurbitaceae. The watermelon fruit, loosely considered a type of melon – although not in... less ↑

Solanum pyrifolium Lam. was reported for Puerto Rico by Liogier (1995) based on one of his collections (Liogier 34137), from the area of the Cabezas de San Juan in Fajardo. This species is here excluded from the flora of Puerto Rico because his report is based on an erroneous identification of Solanum seaforthianum. Solanum pyrifolium is a species endemic to Hispaniola that is distinguished from S. seaforthianum by its 4-5 mm long calyx, with rounded lobes ca. 1 mm long (vs. calyx 1-1.5 mm long, truncate, with obtuse lobes 0.1-0.2 mm long) and by simple and entire leaves (vs. leaves trifoliolate, 5-7(9)-pinnately compound, 5-7(9)-pinnatilobed, or less frequently simple and entire). The specimen Liogier 34137 has almost all the leaves simple and entire, but a scrupulous examination reveals that it also has trifoliolate leaves. less ↑