Vines and Climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

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

Fig. 101. D-H

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, relatively common.

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

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2623; 5236; 5392; 11489;Axelrod, F. 6378; Britton, N.L. 4875; Goll, G.P. 47; 502; Heller, A.A. 6224; Hioram, B. s.n.; Sargent, F.H. 272; Shafer, J.A. 2358; Sintenis, P. 825; 1639; Stevenson, J.A. 1835; 2244.
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Clitoria falcata Lam., Encycl. Méth. Bot. 2: 51. 1786.

Fig. 101. A-C

Synonyms: Clitoria rubiginosa Juss.

Martiusia rubiginosa (Juss.) Britton

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from September to January.

Status: Native, relatively common.

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

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 10564; Axelrod, F. 5631; Britton, N.L. 1468; 1621; Eggers, B. 1351; Goll, G.P. 299; 373; Liogier, A.H. 10248; 10689; Sintenis, P. 74; 5737; Stevenson, J.A. 463.
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Galactia dubia Dc., Prodr. 2: 238. 1825.

Fig. 105. A-E

Synonyms: Galactia dubia Dc. var. ehrenbergii Urb.

Galactia dubia Dc. var. guanisensis Urb.

Non-woody vine, twining, attainig 2 m in length. Stems slender, green, appressedpubescent. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets 1-4 × 0.8-2 cm, subcoriaceous, elliptical, oblong, or obovate, involute, the apex emarginate, rounded, mucronate, the base rounded, the margins entire; upper surface dark green, shiny or dull, puberulent or pubescent; lower surface pale green, dull, strigose or sericeous-pubescent, with the midvein prominent; petioles slender, pubescent, 1-2 cm long; stipules lanceolate, 2-3 mm long; stipels absent. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes, few-flowered; rachis 1-4 cm long; flowers 2-3, clustered on the swellings of the rachis; bracts minute, persistent. Calyx almost campanulate, green, pilose, 5-10 mm long, the sepals 4, ovate, acuminate, 4-7 mm long, two of which are longer; corolla pale pink or lavender, the standard oblong-elliptical, 12-15 mm long, reflexed, greenish at the base on the inner surface, the wings and the keel 10-12 mm long. Legume 3-6 × 0.5-0.6 cm, oblong-linear, flattened, slightly curved, pubescent. Seeds ca. 4 mm long, oblong, dark brown.

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

Status: Native, relatively common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 808; 824; 1035; 1047; 2331; 3114; 4429; 5351; 7862; 7864; 10798; 10990; 11220; Axelrod, F. 6964; Britton, N.L. 146a; 207; Liogier, A.H. 10626.
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Galactia striata (Jacq.) Urb., Symb. Antill. 2: 320. 1900.

Fig. 105. M-O

Basionym: Glycine striata Jacq.

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

Galactia berteriana Dc.

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

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from August to March.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 716; 1032; 1851; 3816; 5188; 7225; 7871; 9415; 10474; 10802; 10894; 11471; Britton, N.L. 29; 235; 1794; Goll, G.P. 497; 706; 725; 900; 953; Heller, A.A. 6114; Liogier, A.H. 29965; McKee 10622; Shafer, J.A. 2573; 2859; Sintenis, P. 1994; 2050; 2927; Stevenson, J.A. 2168.
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Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet, Hort. Brit. ed. 1, 481. 1826.

Fig. 106. A-F

Basionym: Dolichos purpureus L.

Synonym: Dolichos lablab L.

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2123; 2899; 2908; 3030; 4714; 5350; 7085; 10625; 11258; 11261; 11464; Axelrod, F. 9506; 10855; Goll, G.P. 796; 995; Heller, A.A. 36; Shafer, J.A. 2480; Sintenis, P. 5810; Stevenson, J.A. 6125.
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Macroptilium atropurpureum (Dc.) Urb., Symb. Antill. 9: 457. 1928.

Fig. 107. A-D

Basionym: Phaseolus atropurpureus Dc.

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

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

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

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 9312; 11226; Axelrod, F. 10476.
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Mucuna pruriens (L.) Dc., Prodr. 2: 405. 1825.

Fig. 108. A-E

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

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

Status: Probably native, rather common.
less ↑

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

Fig. 108. F-H

Synonyms: Dolichos urens Jacq., non L.

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

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

Phenology: Unknown.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 11385; Caminero, G. 306; Eggers, B. 1317; García, R. 3248; Prey, N. s.n.; Sintenis, P. 5748; 5941.
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Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urb., Symb. Antill. 4: 311. 1905.

Fig. 110. A-E

Basionym: Dolichos erosus L.

Synonym: Cacara erosa (L.) Kuntze

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

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

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 5225; 7228; Goll, G.P. 155; Sintenis, P. 5581; Stevenson, J.A. 2272.
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Vigna adenantha (G. Meyer) Marechal, Mascherpe & Stanier, Taxon 27: 202. 1978.

Fig.114. E-H

Basionym: Phaseolus adenanthus G. Meyer

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

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

Status: Probably native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P.9346; 9388; 10167; 10772; 10807; Axelrod, F. 6052; Britton, N.L. 1406; 1607; 2367; Heller, A.A. 1221; Sintenis, P. 5627; Stevenson, J. A. 288.
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Phaseolus lunatus L., Sp. Pl. 724. 1753.

Fig. 110. F-I

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

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

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3741; Britton, N.L. 2068; Goll, G.P. 587; 673; 705; Liogier, A.H. 10810; Sintenis, P. 3110; 5778; Stevenson, J.A. 1979.
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Phaseolus vulgaris L., Sp. Pl. 723. 1753.

Fig. 110. J-M

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

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

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, uncommon.
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Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth., J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 9: 125. 1865.

Fig. 111. A-D

Basionym: Dolichos phaseoloides Roxb.

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from November to March.

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

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

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2411; 3740; 5432; 6966; Axelrod, F. 5819; 9472; Hermann, F.A. s.n.; Liogier, A.H. 10539; 10574.
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Teramnus labialis (L.f.) Spreng., Syst. Veg. 3: 235. 1826.

Fig. 113. A-E

Basionym: Glycine labialis L.f.

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 621; 648; 1956; 2367; 5397; 6986; 11203; Britton, N.L. 1601; 1760; 6504; Liogier, A.H. 30403; McKee 10629; Sargent, F.H. 503; Shafer, J.A. 2446.
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Teramnus uncinatus (L.) Sw., Nov. Gen. Sp. Pl. 105. 1788.

Fig. 113. F-I

Basionym: Dolichos uncinatus L.

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

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

Status: Native, relatively common.

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

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

Fig. 107. E-J

Basionym: Phaseolus lathyroides L.

Synonym: Phaseolus semierectus L.

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Apparently native, very common.

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

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

Fig. 104. A-H

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

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

Status: Native, uncommon.

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

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

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

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

Fig. 111. E-H

Basionym: Dolichos minimus L.

Synonyms: Rhynchosia minima var. lutea Eggers

Rhynchosia minima var. pauciflora Kuntze

Dolicholus minimus (L.) Medic.

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Probably exotic, naturalized, very common.

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

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

Fig. 115. A-C

Basionym: Phaseolus longifolius Benth.

Synonyms: Phaseolus lanceolatus Bello

Phaseolus ovatus Benth.

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

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

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

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

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

Fig. 115. D-H

Basionym: Dolichos luteolus Jacq.

Synonyms: Dolichos repens L.

Vigna repens (L.) Kuntze, non Baker

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

Phenology: Flowering almost throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2994; 4005; 5179; 7089; 7915; 9389; 10773; 11240; Britton, N.L. 208; 1594; 5511; Goll, G.P. 16; 954; Heller, A.A. 240; 4682; Shafer, J.A. 2729; Sintenis, P. 170; 3947; 6715; Stevenson, J.A. 5474; Underwood, L.M. 5; Webster, G.L. 8621.
less ↑

Vigna marina (Burm.) Merr., Interpret. Rhumph. Amboin. 285. 1917.

Fig. 115. I-J

Synonym: Vigna retusa (E. Meyer) Walp.

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

Phenology: Collected in fruit in March.

Status: Native, very rare.

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

Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., Repert. Bot. Syst. 1: 779. 1842.

Fig. 116. E-F

Basionym: Dolichos unguiculatus L.

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting almost throughout the year.

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

Vigna vexillata (L.) A. Rich. in Sagra, Hist. Fis. Polit. Nat. Cuba 11: 191. 1845.

Fig. 116. G-K

Basionym: Phaseolus vexillatus L.

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Apparently native, relatively common.

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

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

Lasianthus lanceolatus (Griseb.) M. Gómez, Noc. Bot. Sist. Habana 86. 1893.

Fig. 147. J-P

Basionym: Hoffmannia lanceolata Griseb.

Synonyms: Sabicea moralesii Griseb.

Lasianthus moralesii (Griseb.) C. Wr.

Slightly woody shrub or herbaceous, clambering or decumbent, attainig 2 m in length. Stems green, glabrous or sparsely lanate, cylindrical or slightly flattened or sulcate, attaining 5 mm in diameter. Leaves opposite, (4.5)6.5-13.3 × 2.3-5.7 cm, brittle and very foulsmelling when fresh, chartaceous on drying, oblanceolate, obovate, oblong, or elliptical, the apex acuminate or short-acuminate, the base acute or obtuse, the margins crenulate, revolute; upper surface glabrous, dull or shiny, foveate-reticulate, with the venation sunken; lower surface pale green, lanate-pubescent only on the primary and secondary veins, the venation reticulate, prominent; petioles sparsely lanate, 1.2-1.7(2.5) cm long; stipules oblong, ca. 3 mm long, early deciduous. Axillary buds lanate-pubescent. Flowers sessile, in axillary clusters. Calyx green, 4-4.5 mm long, the lobes 3-5, ovate, ca. 2.5 mm long, strigulose; corolla infundibuliform, white, the tube ca. 3 mm long, the lobes 4-5, revolute, hirsute on the inner surface; ovary partially inferior, glabrous. Fruits urceolate, fleshy, with 5 pyrenes, 5-7 mm long, white or yellowish, with the sepals fleshy and persistent at the apex.

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

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 6964; 7827; 7834.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

Diodia sarmentosa Sw., Prodr. 30. 1788.

Fig. 146. I-L

Scandent or decumbent herb, attainig 3-5 m in length. Stems quadrangular, hispidulous or puberulent, retrorsely pubescent on the angles. Leaves opposite, membranaceous, elliptical or oblong-lanceolate, 2.5-7.3 × 0.9-2.8 cm, the apex acute or acuminate, the base attenuate, the margins entire, revolute; upper surface dull, scabrous, with the venation sunken; lower surface scabrous, puberulent, with prominent venation; petioles < 1 mm long; stipules connate at the base, with numerous acicular projections up to 5 mm long. Flowers bisexual, in axillary fascicles, sessile. Hypanthium green, glabrous, obovoid, ca. 2.5 mm long, crowned by 4 long-triangular lobes, ca. 1.5 mm long, pubescent; corolla tubular, ca. 2.5 mm long, white, the lobes 5, ca. 0.5 mm long; stamens included. Fruit schizocarpous, opening in two indehiscent longitudinal halves, each containing one seed inside. Seeds dark brown, oblong, slightly flattened on one side, ca. 3 mm long.

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

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7126; 7926; 11393; Britton, N.L. 1393; 1517; 2350; Heller, A.A. 272; 4387; Howard, R.A. 17023; Liogier, A.H. 29765; Proctor, G.R. 44551; Sargent, F.H. 260; Sintenis, P. 5052; Stevenson, J.A. 1855; Underwood, L.M. 971.
less ↑

Schradera exotica (Gmelin) Standl., Field Mus. Pub. Bot. 4: 286. 1929.

Fig. 148. E-H

Basionym: Urceolaria exotica Gmelin

Synonym: Schradera capitata Vahl

Schradera vahlii Steyerm.

Plant with a juvenile phase morphologically different from the adult phase. Juvenile plant ca. 1 m in length, sparsely branched, which grows attached to the host plant by means of adventitious roots; leaves membranaceous, crenate. Adult plant developing into a woody vine, with scandent and pendulous branches, attainig 12 m in length. Stems cylindrical, up to 2.5 cm in diameter. Leaves opposite, coriaceous, glabrous, elliptical or oblong, 5-9.5 × 2.8-5.5 cm, the apex and the base obtuse, the margins entire, revolute; upper surface dark green, shiny, with the midvein yellowish green; lower surface pale green, with the midvein prominent; petioles yellowish green, thick, ca. 1.5 cm long; stipules interpetiolar, caducous, obovate, 1.5-2 cm long, reflexed at the apex. Inflorescences in terminal heads; involucre crateriform, thick, green, ca. 2.5 cm in diameter; flowers sessile; peduncles thick, 3-4 cm long. Calyx 10-15 mm long, crateriform, green, fleshy, truncate at the apex; corolla white, fleshy, tubular, with 9 or 10 oblong lobes, the tube pilose inside; stamens 6; style white, stigmas 2, green, exserted. Fruit a white berry, oblong, fleshy, ca. 1.5 cm long. Seeds numerous, minute.

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

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 223; 9436; Boom, B. 9794; Britton, N.L. 2276; Liogier, A.H. 10050; Shafer, J.A. 3242; Sintenis, P. 1238; 1429.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

Psychotria microdon(Dc.) Urb., Symb. Antill. 9: 539. 1928.

Fig. 147. A-I

Basionym: Rondeletia microdon Dc.

Synonym: Psychotria pinnularis Sessé & Moçiño

Woody shrub, clambering, attainig 2-2.5 m in length. Stems grayish, glabrous, slightly flattened or quadrangular; lateral branches decussate, short or elongate. Leaves opposite, 5-10 × 2-4.3 cm, chartaceous, obovate or oblanceolate, the apex acute or obtuse, the base acute, obtuse, or attenuate toward the petiole, the margins entire, revolute; upper surface glabrous, with the venation flat; lower surface pale green, glabrous or puberulent on the veins, the venation prominent; petioles glabrous, 0.5-2 mm long; stipules ovate, ca. 1.5 mm long, early deciduous. Flowers almost sessile, in terminal corymbs at the ends of short lateral branches. Calyx green, 1.5-2 mm long, crateriform, glabrous, the lobes thin; corolla campanulate, white, the tube ca. 5 mm long, the lobes 3-3.5 mm long, spreading; stamens 5, included. Fruits compressed-obovoid, 5-6 mm long, red when ripe. Pyrenes 2, sulcate.

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

Status: Native, not very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 586; 2395; 2690; 2876; 6171; 10472; 10932; Britton, N.L. 1507; 6152; Heller, A.A. 6102; Liogier, A.H. 9679; 10218; 10302; 31514; Little, E.L. 21672; Shafer, J.A. 2335; 2529; Sintenis, P. 5229.
less ↑

Arthrostylidium multispicatum Pilg., in Urb., Symb. Antill. 2: 341. 1901.

Fig. 181. D-G

Basionym: Arundinaria multispicata (Pilger) Hack.

Climbing, small bamboo, attainig 5-10 m in length. Young culms scabrous, smooth when mature, cylindrical, flexible, attaining 3-5 mm in diameter, the internodes 2.5-10 cm long, the nodes with numerous branchlets, 20-40 cm long, grouped in dense whorls. Leaves of the branches lanceolate, 6-12 × 1-1.7 cm, chartaceous, with the venation parallel; leaf sheath puberulent; setaceous appendages 1-2 mm long, deciduous; internal and external ligules ca. 2 mm long. Inflorescences 4-12 cm long, spicate, with 4-10 subsessile spikelets. Spikelets 2-3 cm long, linear, appressed to the rachis, with 3-5 fertile flowers; rachis straight. Fruit unknown.

Phenology: Collected in flower in February.

Status: Native, rare.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 9422; 11441; Britton, N.L. 953; 4222; 6542; 7300; Chase, A. 6201; 6470; 6751; Sintenis, P. 209; 4106.
less ↑

Arthrostylidium sarmentosum Pilg., in Urb., Symb. Antill. 4: 108. 1903.

Fig. 181. H-J

Climbing, small bamboo, with numerous pendulous lateral branches, attainig 2-8 m in length. Stems glabrous, smooth, shiny, cylindrical, 0.7-2.5(4) mm in diameter, the internodes 10-18 cm long, the nodes with 15-30 branches, 10-15 cm long, grouped in dense whorls. Leaves of the branches lanceolate, 1-5 × 0.2-0.5 cm, chartaceous, glabrous, with the venation parallel. Inflorescences terminal on the short lateral branches, racemose, 2-3.5 cm long, flexuous, with 3-5 spikelets. Spikelets pubescent, 15-18 mm long, linear, appressed to the rachis, with 4-5 flowers.

Phenology: Rarely seen in flower, collected in flower in December.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 6963; 9327; Britton, N.L. 493; 2042; 2180; 4209; 5236; 5600; 6096; 7283; Chase, A. 6190; 6223; 6468; 6730; 6731; 6738; 6749; Clark, L.G. 229; Jones, G.N. 11014; Liogier, A.H. 9724; Nees, W.E. 116; Proctor, G.R. 42301; Shafer, J.A. 3490; Sintenis, P. 354; 4046; Soderstrom, T.R. 1804; 1816; 2001; 2053.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

Lasiacis ligulata Hitchc. & Chase, Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 18(7): 337. 1917.

Fig. 182 H-K

Synonym: Panicum divaricatum L. var. puberulum Griseb.

Perennial herb; culms 1-5 m in length, erect or scandent. Leaves distichous; leaf sheath glabrous or pubescent; ligule (1.6)2-3(3.7) mm long; blades broad to narrowly lanceolate, flattened, (5-)7-14(-17) cm × (6-)10-22(34) mm, scabrous, glabrous or pubescent on the upper surface. Inflorescences ovate; primary axis 2-17(21) cm long; secondary axes 1-8 cm long, reflexed or spreading. Spikelets solitary, obovoid, (3-)3.2-3.8 × 1.7-2.4 mm; lower glumes 0.7-2 mm long, 7-11-veined; upper glumes 2.7-3.5 mm long, 9-11-veined.

Phenology: Collected in fertile condition from November to March and in June.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2688; 10822; Boom, B. 6911; Britton, N.L. 678; 4490; Chase, A. 6454; 6734; 6747; Liogier, A.H. 10418; Sintenis, P. 215; 5918; Wilson, P. 350.
less ↑

Chusquea abietifolia Griseb., Fl. Brit. W. I. 529. 1864.

Fig. 182. A-D5

Small bamboo, creeping or climbing, attainig 5-10 m in length, forming dense thickets. Culms cylindrical, 2.5-3.5 cm in diameter, strong, scabrous when young, becoming smooth when mature, the internodes 6-14 cm long, the nodes with numerous minute whorled branches, 4-10 cm long, these with 15-40 leaves. Leaves alternate, overlapping, narrowly lanceolate, 15-30 × 2-3 mm, the apex acute, the margins ciliate, scabrous; the outer ligule ca. 0.2 mm long, the inner ligule ca. 0.5 mm long; pseudostipules ca. 1 mm long. Inflorescences of few-flowered panicles, ca. 5 cm long. Spikelets 5.5-7 mm long, short-pedicellate; glumes oblong, short-aristate, the lower ones 1-1.5 mm long, the upper ones 3-5 mm long; sterile flowers oblong-lanceolate, 6-7 mm long; fertile flowers lanceolate-ovate, 5.5-6.5 mm long, pubescent and ciliate at the apex; palea ca. 5 mm long.

Phenology: Not observed.

Status: Native, very rare.

Selected Specimens Examined: Edelman, D.K. 58; 59; 60; Hess, W.E. 116; Sargent, F.H. 3062; Stevens, F.L. 4755.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

Arthrostylidium farctum (Aubl.) Soderstr. & Lourteig, Phytologia 64: 163. 1987.

Fig. 181. A-C

Basionym: Arundo farcta Aubl.

Synonym: Arthrostylidium capillifolium Griseb.

Climbing, small bamboo, attainig 3-5(15) m in length. Culms smooth, shiny, 1-5 mm in diameter, cylindrical, flexible, with internodes 5-20 cm long, the nodes with numerous branchlets, 7-15 cm long, grouped in dense whorls. Leaves of the branches linear, 6-15 × 0.7-2 mm, chartaceous, with the venation parallel; leaf sheath with the margins ciliate; setaceous appendages in two series, 1-5 mm long. Inflorescences 2-10 cm long, spicate, with 3-7 spikelets. Spikelets 8-11 mm long, linear, appressed to the rachis.

Phenology: Rarely seen in flower. The plant allegedly dies after flowering.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2490; 2652; 10742; 11639; Chase, A. 6248; Cowles, H.T. 1166; Shafer, J.A. 2625; Sintenis, P. 3891.
less ↑

Dioscorea trifida L. f., Suppl. Pl. 427.1781.

Fig. 176. J-L

Non-woody vine, twining, attainig several meters in length. Stems glabrous or puberulent, obtusely quadrangular, with winged projections along the borders. Leaves alternate, palmate (5-lobate), 9-11-veined, 15-21 × 15-25 cm, membranaceous, the lobes ovate-lanceolate, acuminate at the apex, the base cordiform; upper surface glabrous, the veins slightly prominent; lower surface puberulent along the prominent veins; petioles 5-19 cm long, with 4 longitudinal wings, swollen at the base. Inflorescences axillary; the staminate ones paniculate; the pistillate ones in racemes. Staminate flowers in lateral cymes, sessile, perianth cream-colored, 1.5-6 mm long, the stamens 6; pistillate flowers solitary, hypanthium pubescent, the tepals ca. 2.5 mm long. Capsules oblong-elliptical in outline, 2.5-3.4 cm long by 1.5 cm wide.

Phenology: Unknown.

Status: Exotic, apparently naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Sargent, F.H. 500.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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 cayenensis Lam., Encycl. Méth. Bot. 3: 233. 1789.

Fig. 175. F-K

Slightly woody vine, twining (toward the right), glabrous, attainig 10 m in length. Stems flexible, cylindrical, usually with recurved spines. Leaves opposite, simple, more or less ascendant, coriaceous, ovate, 7-veined, 6-14 × 5-10 cm, the apex abruptly acuminate, the base cordiform to almost truncate, the margins entire, revolute; upper surface shiny, with the venation slightly sunken; lower surface dull, with translucent lines, the primary venation prominent; petioles 4.5-12 cm long, pulvinate at both ends. Inflorescences axillary, fragrant, unisexual, in pendulous spikes, the staminate ones fasciculate, the pistillate ones solitary. Staminate flowers with the perianth 2-2.5 mm long, the stamens 6, all fertile; pistillate flowers with the perianth 1-1.5 mm long. Capsule elliptic-oblong in outline, 1.7 cm long. Seeds with a basal wing.

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

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

Dioscorea altissima Lam., Encycl. Méth. Bot. 3: 233. 1789.

Fig. 174. F-G

Synonym: Dioscorea chondrocarpa Lam.

Slightly woody vine, twining, glabrous, attainig 10 m or more in length. Stems smooth, angular or triangular, attaining up to 1.5 cm in diameter, with recurved spines, ca. 1 cm long. Leaves alternate or less frequently subopposite, ovate or almost orbicular, 7-9-veined, 8-15 × 7-16 cm, the apex short-acuminate to caudate, the base cordiform, the margins slightly undulate; upper surface slightly shiny, with the venation flat or slightly prominent; lower surface dull, with translucent lines and dots, the primary venation prominent; petioles slender, as long as the blade, sometimes minutely aculeate, with a swelling at both extremities, forming a pair of spiny pseudostipules at the base. Inflorescences in simple spikes, the pistillate ones longer than the staminate ones. Perianth of oblong segments. Capsules up to 3 cm long and 1.5 cm wide.

Phenology: Not observed.

Status: Apparently native, uncommon.
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 poitaei Reichenb. f., Linnaea 41: 66. 1877.

Fig. 180. A-F

Synonyms: Vanilla eggersii Rolfe

Vanilla correllii Sauleda & Adams

Non-woody vine, glabrous, scarcely branched, that climbs by means of aerial roots and attains 5-8 m in length. Stems cylindrical, 4-9 mm in diameter, producing watery and caustic latex when wounded; internodes 8-20 cm long; nodes slightly swollen, producing 1-3 adventitious roots per node; the lateral branches pendulous. Leaves persistent, lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, fleshy, rigid, flat, sessile, (3)7-12 × 1.4-3 cm, the apex markedly reflexed like a hook; upper surface dull; lower surface dull; petioles 3-4 mm long. Inflorescence a pendulous axillary raceme, with many flowers; bracts broadly ovate, 4-7 mm long. Sepals green, free, more or less expanded, the dorsal sepal oblanceolate, 5-5.5 × 1.1-1.3 cm, the lateral sepals similar but oblique. Petals similar, but dorsally keeled, obliquely oblanceolate, and smaller; lip greenish outside, white with cardinal red margins, and the throat yellow, the basal portion short-unguiculate, adnate along ¾ of the column; column arcuate, ca. 3 cm long. Fruits pendulous, fusiform-cylindrical, ca. 15 cm long.

Phenology: Flowering from April to July, but rarely producing fruits.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 9387.
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 claviculata (Wr.) Sw., Nova Acta Regiae Soc. Sci. Upsal. 6: 66. 1799.

Fig. 178. F-H

Basionym: Epidendrum claviculatum Wr.

Non-woody vine, glabrous, scarcely branched, that climbs by means of aerial roots and attains 5 m or more in length. Stems cylindrical, 3-8 mm in diameter, producing abundant watery and caustic latex when wounded; internodes 7-13 cm long; nodes swollen, with an annular scar, producing 1 or 2 grayish roots; the lateral branches pendulous. Leaves early deciduous, triangular to lanceolate, fleshy, 2.5-3.5 × 0.5-0.8 cm, the apex reflexed, the margins revolute; upper surface dull; lower surface dull. Inflorescence an erect axillary raceme with few or many flowers; bracts fleshy, broadly ovate, 5-11 mm long. Sepals olive-green, expanded, free, 3.5-4.5 × 1-1.3 cm, the dorsal sepal concave, the lateral ones similar, but falcate. Petals olive-green, elliptic-spatulate, keeled, shorter and broader than the sepals; lip more or less entire, completely white or with some reddish spots at the base, the midvein with numerous bifurcate hairs, the basal portion adnate to the lower third of the column; column straight, almost cylindrical, pubescent on the portion near the stigma, 2.5-3 cm long. Fruits black when ripe, pendulous, fusiform to cylindrical, slightly recurved or straight, 7-11 × 0.9-1.2 cm. Phenology: Flowering from April to June and producing fruits infrequently (Ackerman, 1995).

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: 7205.
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 ornatum Schott, Oesterr. Bot. Wochenbl. 3: 378. 1853.

Fig. 170. B-C

Slightly woody vine, glabrous, that climbs by means of aerial roots and attains 2-10 m in length. Stems cylindrical and smooth, with watery and caustic sap; stems 2-2.5 cm in diameter, the internodes elongate, the nodes with an annular scar. Cataphylls ca. 24 cm long, persistent. Leaves cordiform, chartaceous, glabrous, 32-60 × 24-46 cm, the apex acuminate, the base deeply cordate, the margins undulate, slightly revolute; upper surface dull, dark green, the midvein and the secondary veins sunken; lower surface pale, with the midvein and the lateral veins prominent and reddish; petioles ascendant, 14-42 cm long, flattened along the upper surface, pulvinate in the apical portion, the pulvinule with small tubercles or protuberances. Inflorescence axillary, in groups of three, ascendant; peduncles robust, 11-13 cm long; spathe persistent, 16-18 cm long, thick, convolute, almost infundibuliform in outline (slightly constricted below the middle), aristate at the apex, whitish with a pink tinge outside, and cardinal red inside when mature; spadix cylindric-ellipsoid, robust, cream-colored, almost as long as the spathe.

Phenology: Collected in flower in August.

Status: Apparently introduced, naturalized in the area of Guajataca.

Selected Specimens Examined: Proctor, G.R. 47073; 50206; Woodbury, R.O. s.n
less ↑

Philodendron lingulatum (L.) C. Koch, Index Sem. Hort. Berol. App. 4[13]. 1853.

Fig. 170. A

Basionym: Arum lingulatum L.

Non-woody vine, glabrous, that climbs by means of aerial roots and attains 15 m or more in length. Stems flexible, cylindrical, dark green, sulcate along one side, 0.5-2.5 cm in diameter, producing scarce watery latex when wounded; epidermis exfoliating easily. Leaves simple, elliptical or ovate, subcoriaceous, 13-42 × 7-28 cm, the apex acute or abruptly acuminate, the base cordiform, subcordiform, cuneate, or truncate; upper surface semi-shiny, with a broad midvein; lower surface semi-shiny, with the midvein prominent and the secondary venation lighter; petiole winged (except for the distal portion), 12-48 cm long, shorter or longer than the blade. Inflorescence axillary, solitary or sometimes paired; spathe cylindric-urceolate at the base, 10-23.5 × 2.9-5.3 cm, erect, light green or whitish on the inner surface, dark green outside; spadix stipitate, 8.7-21.2 cm long, the fertile staminate portion 0.9-1.7 in length, white to cream-colored, the sterile portion 0.6-1.3 cm long, the pistillate portion 2.1-4.7 cm long. Fruit and seeds unknown.

Phenology: Collected in flower from May to July.

Status: Native, not very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 11875; Britton, N.L. 2139; Sargent, F.H. 559; Sintenis, P. 1746.
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 ↑

Cissus intermedia A. Rich. was reported for Puerto Rico by Urban (1903-1911), based on the collections Stahl 602 and Sintenis 4797. The collection of Stahl has been re-identified by Lombardi (2000) as C. obovata. On the other hand, the collection of Sintenis (deposited in the herbarium of Berlin) seems to have been destroyed during the Second World War. Since the existence of any other specimen that might be referred to C. intemedia is unknown, I consider that this species is not found in Puerto Rico. Its distribution is limited to the Bahamas, Cuba, and Hispaniola.

Commentary: Several species of Cissus (C. erosa, C. trifoliata, and C. verticillata) are affected by the parasitic fungus Mycosyrinx cissi (Poiret) G. Beck, which causes the inflorescences to grow in a monstrous form, producing numerous sterile branches. These deformed inflorescences look like a parasitic plant of the family Loranthaceae or Viscaceae. For this reason, the name C. verticillata has replaced the well known name C. sicyoides. It turns out that this species was first described by Linnaeus based on one of these deformed inflorescences, under the name of Viscum verticillatum. This basionym has priority over C. sicyoides, since it is older, and therefore it has replaced C. sicyoides. less ↑

Philodendron consanguineum Schott, Syn.Aroid. 88. 1856.

Fig. 168. A-B

Synonyms: Philodendron krebsii Schott

Philodendron angustatum Schott

Philodendron marginatum Urb.

Non-woody vine, glabrous, that climbs by means of aerial roots and attains 10-30 m in length. Stems flexible, cylindrical, with an annular scar in the area of the node, attaining up to 2 cm in diameter and producing scarce watery and caustic latex when wounded; bark smooth, dark brown or grayish, membranaceous, exfoliating easily. Leaves alternate, oblong or less frequently lanceolate, coriaceous, 13.5-35 × 7.5-17.5 cm, the apex acute or acuminate, the base cordiform; upper surface shiny, with a broad midvein; lower surface yellowish green, shiny, with the midvein prominent and the secondary venation darker; petioles cylindrical, as long as the blade, with a winged margin on the lower half. Inflorescence axillary, solitary; spathe almost cylindrical, 9-13 cm long, erect, greenish, the spadix sessile.

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

Status: Native, rather common.
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 ↑

Bidens urbanii Greenm., Field Mus. Bot. 2: 271. 1907.

Fig. 33. H-J

Synonym: Bidens reptans var. urbanii (Greenm.) O.E. SchulzBidens portoricensis Bello, non Spreng. ex Dc.Herbaceous vine, climbing or clambering, 4-5 m in length. Main stem cylindrical, glabrous or puberulous, with numerous lateral branches along its length. Leaves opposite; blades simple, 2-3 times pinnatisect, the segments chartaceous, longacuminate at the apex, the margins serrate, revolute; upper surface green, shiny, glabrous; lower surface pale green, dull, glabrous, pitted, with the pinnate venation darker, forming a marginal vein; rachis slender, marginate; petioles 2-3.5 cm long, slender, sulcate, puberulous. Capitula (1-3) in corymbs, produced at the tips of short axillary branches; involucre 8-10 mm high, the phyllaries in 2 series, revolute; corollas yellow, those of the margin with ligules ca. 1.7 cm long; anthers dark brown; stigmas yellow, reflexed. Achenes linear, ca. 10 mm long, compressed, 4-angled, with ascending trichomes on the margins; pappus of 2 retrorsely barbate setae.

Phenology: Flowering from November to February.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Commentary: I agree with Greenman in recognizing this biological entity at the species level, because it is sufficiently different from B. reptans (see key). The argument presented by O.E. Schultz to recognize this entity at the level of subspecies is based on the variation presented by the leaves of other species of Bidens, specifically B. alba (L.) Dc.; nevertheless, since the latter species is not close to B. reptans, the knowledge of its leaf morphology should not be applied to taxonomic decisions in B. reptans “sensu lato” (H. Robinson, pers. comm.). The characters that are used here to recognize B. urbanii at the specific level have likewise been used to recognize B. dissecta (from Jamaica), another species closely related to B. reptans.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3735; 3745; 11730; Britton & Coewll, 1559; Kennedy, H. 4787.
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 ↑

Pfaffia aurata (Mart.) Borsch, Novon 5: 230. 1995.

Fig. 17. G-I

Basionym: Trommsdorffia aurata Mart.

Synonyms: Trommsdorffia argentata Mart.

Iresine argentata (Mart.) D. Dietr.

Achyranthes nodosa Bertero ex Mart. (pro syn.)

Achyranthes argentata (Mart.) Moq.

Iresine argentata var. latifolia Suess.

Pfaffia grandiflora sensu Alain, non (Hook.) R. E. Fr.

Twining liana, 15-20 m in length, with numerous pendulous branches. Stems cylindrical, with swollen nodes, densely silvery- pubescent when young, glabrous and lenticellate when mature, up to 10 cm in diameter; bark fissured, brown-cream; cross section of the stem with bands of vascular tissue alternating with very narrow bands of parenchymatous tissue. Leaves opposite; blades 3-10 × 2.7-4.2 cm, elliptical, ovate or lanceolate, chartaceous to coriaceous, the apex acuminate, acute, obtuse, or retuse, the base obtuse or rounded, sometimes unequal, the margins entire, slightly undulate and revolute; upper surface dull, glabrous or puberulous; lower surface dull, glabrous or puberulous, with slightly prominent venation; petioles slender, puberulous, 3-10 mm long. Flowers in panicles at the tips of short axillary branches, ascending, up to 30 cm long, the axes strigose or tomentose; bracts and bracteoles widely ovate to deltoid, hyaline, villous when young, 0.5-0.7 mm long. Tepals 5, creamcolored, oblong, 1.7-2.2 mm long, with a tuft of white, erect hairs at the base, these of the same length as or slightly longer than the tepals; stamens 5, the filaments alternating with short obtuse or rounded appendages, ca. 0.1 mm long; stigma bilobed, turbinate, papillose.

Phenology: Collected in flower in January.

Status: Native, locally common.

Commentary: This species was originally described for Puerto Rico as Trommsdorffia argentata by Martius in 1826 and then transferred to Iresine argentata. Studies by T. Borsch in 1995 consider T. argentata as belonging within the variation observed in Pfaffia aurata sensu lato and therefore as a synonym of the latter species.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 24; 7744.
less ↑

Marsdenia woodburyana Acev.-Rodr., Brittonia 51: 167. 1999.

Fig. 28. A-F

Woody vine, twining, 5-8 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems thick, cylindrical, glabrous, sparsely lenticellate, grayish, attaining ca. 3 cm in diameter at the base. Leaves opposite; blades 6-6.5 × 3.5-4 cm, ovate, coriaceous, the apex acute, obtuse, or short-acuminate, the base rounded, the margins entire, markedly revolute; upper surface glabrous, with 2 acicular glands on the portion adjacent to the petiole; lower surface pale green, glabrous or minutely puberulous; petioles 1.5-2 cm long, glabrous, sulcate on the upper surface; stipules absent. Flowers about 20, arranged in umbelliform racemes; peduncles ca. 1 cm long; pedicels 7-10 mm long. Calyx light green, rotate, of 5 imbricate sepals, ovate-rounded, obtuse, 3-3.5 mm long, puberulous on the abaxial surface, ciliate on the margins; corolla rotate, the lobes ovate, 5.5-7 mm long, glabrous, light green in the central portion, purple-pink toward the markedly revolute margins, the apex reflexed; corona with segments of staminal origin (the distal portion of the filaments), fleshy, asymmetricpyramidal, ca. 3 mm long, projecting into a short distal appendage, triangular, inflexed, pink; anthers oblong, ca. 2 mm long; stigma flat. Follicle lanceolate-fusiform, slightly compressed, woody, 11-13 × 2-3 cm; seeds numerous, membranaceous, ovate, ca. 1 cm long, with a long tuft of brown-cream hairs.

Phenology: Collected in flower in May and in fruit in January and July.

Status: Endemic to Puerto Rico, extremely rare or threatened.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 10174.
less ↑

Hoya australis R. Br. ex Traill, Trans. Hort. Soc. London 7: 28. 1830.

Fig. 26. H-K

Slightly woody vine, twining, 6-7 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems cylindrical, puberulous, green. Leaves opposite; blades 5-12 × 2.5-5.5 cm, oval, elliptical, or ovate, fleshy, glabrous, acute, acuminate, or subrounded at the apex, the base obtuse or rounded, with 3-5 minute triangular glands at the union with the petiole, the margins entire, the venation pinnate; upper surface dull, the midvein sunken; lower surface dull, with a prominent midvein and puberulous; petioles subcylindrical, 1-2 cm long, pubescent. Flowers numerous, arranged in umbelliform racemes, clustered at the tip of a peduncle; basal flowers early deciduous; bracts overlapping and persistent on the peduncle; peduncle 1.5-3 cm long; pedicels 2-4 cm long, pale green. Calyx whitish green, of lanceolate sepals, ca. 3 mm long; corolla rotate, white, with a bright pink to purple center, the lobes broadly ovate, 4-5 mm long, densely papillose inside; corona white, the segments 3 mm long. Follicles linear, cylindrical, 6-13 cm long; seeds oblong, ca. 4 mm long, with long, whitish, silky hairs.

Phenology: Collected in flower in December.

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

Commentary: This species has been cited as Hoya carnosa (L.) R.Br. by Britton and P. Wilson (1925) and by Liogier (1995).

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7044.
less ↑

Combretum grandiflorum G. Don, Edinburgh Philos. J. 346. 1824.

Fig. 61. A-D

Twining liana, 3-10 m in length. Branches cylindrical, somewhat compressed in the area of the nodes, sparsely pilose or glabrous, usually with the pith hollow. Leaves opposite; blades 7.5-14.5(25) × 3.5-7(12) cm, elliptical, obovate, or ovate, chartaceous or coriaceous, the apex obtuse or rounded, the base obtuse, slightly asymmetrical, the margins entire; upper surface glabrous, with the midvein appressed-pubescent; lower surface glabrous except for some papillae along the primary and secondary veins, with prominent venation; petioles 10-13 mm long, geniculate at the base, appressed-pubescent. Flowers 4-5-merous, ascending, numerous, in axillary racemes, horizontal, 6-12 cm long; pedicels 3-6 mm long. Hypanthium infundibuliform, 8-12 mm long, glabrous, red-purple, puberulous; sepals triangular, ca. 3 mm long; petals red-purple, spathulate, 1-1.2 cm long; stamens exserted, the filaments unequal; style simple, free, exserted. Fruit oval in outline, retuse at the apex, 5-winged, pale yellow or stramineous, 3-4 cm long, stipitate at the base. Seed one, pentagonal, 7-10 mm long.

Phenology: Collected in fruit in February.

Status: Exotic, cultivated, locally naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 10841.
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 ↑

Serjania lucida Schum., Skr. Naturhist.-Selsk. 3(2): 128. 1794.

Fig. 151. A-F

Synonym:Paullinia curassavica sensu West, non L.

Woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 6-10 m in length. Stems obtusely pentagonal or hexagonal, sulcate, glabrous or puberulent, producing abundant milky latex when wounded; mature stems cylindrical, smooth, deeply sulcate, light brown; cross section with a central vascular cylinder and 5-6(8) peripheral vascular cylinders. Leaves alternate, biternate (9 leaflets); leaflets coriaceous, the margins serrate 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 secondary veins, lineate; distal leaflets ovate or lanceolate, 3.5-9 × 1.7-3.8 cm, the apex acute or acuminate, the base rounded, abruptly attenuate; lateral leaflets lanceolate, 1.7-5 × 0.8-2.5 cm, the apex acute or obtuse, the base rounded or abruptly attenuate; rachis marginate; petioles 1-4.5(8.5) long, not winged, glabrous; 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 light green or whitish 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 2-4 rounded or ovoid glands, pubescent at the base; stamens 8, the filaments pilose; ovary trilocular, tomentose. Mericarps samaroid, 1.5-2.5 cm long, with a wing on the lower portion, the seminiferous portion almost globose, reticulate, tomentose, with a single brown, ellipsoid seed inside.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from November to April.

Status: Endemic to eastern Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 629; 709; 1828; 2281; 2313; 3146; 3765; 4658; 5210; 5334; 5358; 7086; 9305; 11081; 11582; Heller, A.A. 56; 4661.
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 ↑