Vines and Climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

Vigna peduncularis (Kunth) Fawcett & Rendle, Fl. Jam. 4(2): 68. 1920.

Fig. 116. A-D

Basionym: Phaseolus peduncularis Kunth

Herbaceous vine, creeping or climbing twining, attainig 2 m in length. Stems branched from the base, slender, almost cylindrical, puberulent, usually producing roots in the area of the nodes. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets chartaceous, ovate-deltate or lanceolate, 3-8 × 1.5-5 cm, both surfaces glabrous, the venation slightly prominent on the lower surface, the apex acute, acuminate, or less frequently obtuse, the base cuneate, the margins entire, slightly ciliate; terminal leaflet larger than the lateral ones; lateral leaflets asymmetrical at the base, one side obtuse, the other cuneate or truncate; petiolules ca. 3 mm long, puberulent; rachis 5-10 mm long, striate; petioles 2-7 cm long, striate, slender, glabrous; stipels obovate, ca. 1 mm long; stipules oblong or lanceolate, 2-2.5 mm long. Pseudoracemes axillary, up to 26 cm long, the flowers 2 per node, in the distal portion of the inflorescence; peduncles thick, glabrous or puberulent; pedicels ca. 1 mm long, erect, with the calyx in an ascending position. Calyx green, campanulate, puberulent, 2.2-2.5 mm long, the sepals more or less equal, broadly deltate, except for the abaxial one, which is narrower and slightly longer; corolla pale pink, standard obovate, unguiculate, ca. 8 mm long, the wings and the keel as long as the standard, the wings oblong, sinuate, unguiculate, the keel spirally twisted. Legumes ascendent, linear, flattened, straight, with the margins slightly undulate, 4-5.5 cm long, ca. 3 mm wide, puberulent, punctate. Seeds oblong, ca. 3.5 mm long, light brown with blackish spots, the hilum white, ca. 2 mm long.

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

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 310; 10567; 10723; 10778; 11640. Vigna unguiculata: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 9411; 10859; Britton, N.L. 1464; Goll, G.P. 1061; Sintenis, P. 2910; Stevenson, J.A. 2176.
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Canavalia nitida (Cav.) Piper, Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 20: 562. 1925.

Fig. 99. F-G

Basionym: Clementea nitida Cav.

Synonym: Canavalia rusiosperma Urb.

Woody vine, twining, with numerous pendulous branches, attainig 15-18 m in length. Stems cylindrical, glabrous or puberulent, thick, the bark light brown, almost smooth. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets coriaceous, elliptical, oval, or oblong, involute, 6.5-12 × 3-5.5 cm, the apex obtuse, acute, or rounded, the base rounded, asymmetrical on the lateral leaflets, the margins slightly revolute, thickened, both surfaces glabrous, with the venation slightly prominent; petiolules cylindrical, pubescent, 4-5 mm long; petioles 4-5 cm long, with the base swollen; stipels absent; stipules minute, deciduous. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes, 13-23 cm long, the flowers in groups of three or four on each nodal swelling along the rachis; pedicels 5-6 mm long, puberulent. Calyx greenish, shiny, 15-18 mm long, pubescent; corolla violet-pink, the standard orbicular, ca. 2.5 cm long, with the center pale yellow, the keel and the wings ca. 1.5 cm long. Legume woody, brown, up to 20 × 5 cm, the valves with two slight ribs on the sides of the suture. Seeds ca. 2 cm long, almost circular or ellipsoid, crimson with the hilum black.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from August to February.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Britton, N.L. 4151; Prey, N. s.n.; Shafer, J.A. 2823; Sintenis, P. 452.
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Caesalpinia culebrae (Britton & Wilson)Alain, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 90: 187. 1963.

Fig. 94. G

Basionym: Guilandina culebrae Britton & Wilson

Scandent shrub, with many lateral branches along the main stem, attainig 2 m in length. Stems cylindrical, unarmed, finely pubescent. Leaves bipinnate, paripinnate, ca. 22 × 14 cm; pinnae 7-8 pairs, opposite; leaflets 5-7 pairs per pinna, opposite, 1-1.5 × 0.9-1.4 cm, elliptical or ellipticobovate, chartaceous, the apex rounded, emarginate, the base unequal, one side rounded, the other obtuse, the margins entire, revolute, ciliate; upper surface glabrous, slightly punctate; lower surface puberulent, with the midvein prominent; petiolules short, tomentulose; petioles and rachis unarmed, tomentulose; stipules minute, deciduous. Flowers in axillary racemes, 6-10 cm long; rachis tomentulose; bracts lanceolate, with the apex caudate, ca. 4 mm long, deciduous. Calyx campanulate, ca. 8 mm long, tomentose, the sepals reflexed, oblong. Petals yellow, 7-8 mm long, spathulate. Legumes elliptic-circular, ca. 7 × 4 cm, flattened, unarmed, apiculate at the apex. Seeds globose, ca. 1.7 cm in diameter, yelloworange.

Phenology: Collected in flower and fruit in March.

Status: Endemic, known from Culebra from very few collections.
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Mimosa diplotricha C. Wright ex Sauv., Anal. Acad. Ci. Habana 5: 405. 1868.

Fig. 119. E-H

Scandent shrub, much branched from the base, that supports itself on other plants by means of spines that are borne along the length of its stem and leaf axes, attainig 1.5-2 m in length. Stems pentagonal, pilose, with numerous recurved spines along the angles. Leaves alternate, 5-13 cm long, bipinnate; pinnae 6 or 7, pairs opposite; leaflets opposite, 18-15 pairs per pinna, 2.5-4.2 mm long, oblong, chartaceous, the apex obtuse, the base asymmetrically obtusetruncate; both surfaces strigulose; lower surface pale green, dull, with the midvein sunken; rachis very slender, pilose, with some recurved spines; stipules subulate, ca. 4.5 mm long; stipels linear, ca. 1.5 mm long. Heads 7-10 mm in diameter, axillary; peduncles with numerous recurved spines, 6-15 mm long. Calyx ca. 0.2 mm long, glabrous; corolla pink, infundibuliform, ca. 1.2 mm long, with 4(5) lobes; filaments pink, 3-5 mm long. Legumes usually 10 or more per head, oblong or linear, flattened, straight or slightly curved, 10-24 × 3-4.3 mm, chartaceous, covered with spines, especially along the margin. Seeds 3-8, 2.3-3 mm long, flattened, ovate or rhombic, dark brown.

Phenology: Collected in flower in December.

Status: Exotic, adventive, of recent introduction, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7045.
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Securidaca virgata Sw., Prodr. 104. 1788.

Fig. 1E; 141. E-M

Synonym: Elsota virgata (Sw.) Kuntze

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3747; 6954; 7127; 9453; Britton, N.L. 983; 4478; 5809; Cowell, J.F. 582; Eggers, B. Goll, G.P. 410; 586; 1055; Heller, A.A. 4385; Holdridge, L. 215; Sargent, F.H. 250; Shafer, J.A. 2380; Sintenis, P. 46; 1065; 5291; 6658; Stevenson, J.A. 102; Underwood, L.M. 77; Webster, G.L. 8844.
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Securidaca diversifolia (L.) Blake, Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 23: 594. 1923.

Fig.141. A-D

Basionym: Polygala diversifolia L.

Synonyms: Elsota diversifolia (L.) Blake

Securidaca erecta Jacq.

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

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

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

Selected Specimens Examined: Ricksecker, A.E. 338.
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Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L.) Taub in Engl. & Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 3(3): 335. 1894.

Fig. 102. A-E

Basionym: Hedysarum ecastaphyllum L.

Synonyms: Ecastaphyllum ecastaphyllum (L.) Britton

Ecastaphyllum brownei Pers.

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 805; 2039; 2041; 9310; 6996; Axelrod, F. 5012; 9511; 10902; Britton, N.L. 1712; 6824; Cowles, H.T. 219; Heller, A.A. 331; 4506; Sargent, F.H. 3006; Shafer, J.A. 2605; Sintenis, P. 131; 4862; Stevenson, J.A. 1705; 2132; Underwood, L.M. 657; 699; 700; Woodbury, R.O. s.n.
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Dalbergia monetaria L.f., Suppl. Pl. Syst. Veg. 317. 1781.

Fig. 102. F-I

Synonym: Securidaca volubilis L. pro parte

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

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

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 4715; 7174; 7700; 9329; 11384; Britton, N.L. 1528; 2130; 2422; 8094; Gregory 175; Heller, A.A. 208; 979; Little, E.L. 16423; Sargent, F.H. 635; 667; Shafer, J.A. 3377; 3381; 3468; Sintenis, P. 328; 1421; 3898; 4498; 5265; 6293; Stevenson, J.A. 1282.
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Rhynchosia phaseoloides (Sw.) Dc., Prodr. 2: 385. 1825.

Fig. 112. A-H

Basionym: Glycine phaseoloides Sw.

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

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

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year.

Status: Native, not very common.

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

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 173; 220; 9365; 10202; Britton, N.L. 2138; Sintenis, P. 2837; 4491; 5858; 5923; 6623.
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Mimosa casta L., Sp. Pl. 518. 1753.

Fig. 118. E-H

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

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

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

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 10; 11; 6203; 10830.
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Caesalpinia major (Medic.) Dandy & Exell, J. Bot. Brit. & For. 76: 180. 1938.

Fig. 95. D-F

Basionym: Bonduc majus Medic.

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

Caesalpinia globerulum Bakh. f. & van Royen

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

Phenology: Unknown.

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

Fig. 98. A-F

Basionym: Stenolobium coeruleum Benth.

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

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

Status: Exotic, naturalized, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 9461; Axelrod, F. 4255; Britton, N.L. 2822; Liogier, A.H. 10540; Stevenson, J.A. 6847.
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Desmodium axillare (Sw.) Dc., Prodr. 2: 333. 1825.

Fig. 103. A-C

Basionym: Hedysarum axillare Sw.

Synonyms: Meibomia axillaris (Sw.) Kuntze

Meibomia umbrosa Britton

Meibomia sintenisii (Urb.) Britton

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

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

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 194; 233; 7737; 7793; 10586; 11439.
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Galactia longifolia (Jacq.) Benth., Ann. Wien. Mus. 2: 127. 1838.

Fig. 105. I-L

Basionym: Galega longifolia Jacq.

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

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

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

Selected Specimens Examined: Axelrod, F. 9753; Liogier, A, 37048.
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Barbieria pinnata (Pers.) Baill., Hist. Pl. 2: 263. 1870.

Fig. 97. E-I

Basionym: Galactia pinnata Pers.

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

Clitoria polyphylla Poir.

Barbieria polyphylla (Poir.) Dc.

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

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

Status: Native, not very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7074; Goll, G.P. 937; Sintenis, P. 151; 5710; 5942; Stevenson, J.A. 248.
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Desmodium incanum Dc., Prodr. 2: 332. 1825.

Fig. 103. D-G

Synonym: Hedysarum canum J.F. Gmel.

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

Hedysarum supinum Sw.

Meibomia supina (Sw.) Britton

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Apparently native, very common.

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

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

Fig. 103. H-M

Basionym: Hedysarum intortum Mill.

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

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

Status: Native, relatively common.

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

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

Fig. 111. I-K

Basionym: Glycine reticulata Sw.

Synonym: Dolicholus reticulatus (Sw.) Millsp.

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, rather common.

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

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

Fig. 108. I-M

Basionym: Dolichos urens L.

Synonym: Mucuna altissima (Jacq.) Dc.

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

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

Status: Native, locally common.

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

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

Fig. 97. A-D

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

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

Status: Exotic, naturalized, rather common.

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

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

Fig. 117. G-J

Synonyms: Lysiloma vogeliana (Steud.) Stehlé

Acacia ambigua Vogel, non Hoffmans.

Lysiloma ambigua (Vogel) Urb.

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

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

Status: Native, very rare.

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

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

Fig. 98. G-I

Synonym: Calopogonium orthocarpum Urb.

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

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

Status: Exotic, naturalized, relatively common.

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

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

Fig. 100. A-F

Basionym: Clitoria plumieri Turp. ex Pers.

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

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

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

Status: Apparently native, relatively common.

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

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

Fig. 100. G-I

Synonym: Bradburya pubescens (Benth.) Kuntze

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

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

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

Status: Native, very common.

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

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

Fig. 100. J-M

Basionym: Clitoria virginiana L.

Synonym: Bradburya virginiana (L.) Kuntze

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting almost throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

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

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

Fig. 101. D-H

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, relatively common.

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

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

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

Fig. 101. A-C

Synonyms: Clitoria rubiginosa Juss.

Martiusia rubiginosa (Juss.) Britton

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from September to January.

Status: Native, relatively common.

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

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

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

Fig. 105. M-O

Basionym: Glycine striata Jacq.

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

Galactia berteriana Dc.

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

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from August to March.

Status: Native, rather common.

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

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

Fig. 106. A-F

Basionym: Dolichos purpureus L.

Synonym: Dolichos lablab L.

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, rather common.

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

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

Fig. 107. A-D

Basionym: Phaseolus atropurpureus Dc.

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

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

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

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

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

Fig. 108. A-E

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

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

Status: Probably native, rather common.
less ↑

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

Fig. 108. F-H

Synonyms: Dolichos urens Jacq., non L.

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

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

Phenology: Unknown.

Status: Native, uncommon.

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

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

Fig. 110. A-E

Basionym: Dolichos erosus L.

Synonym: Cacara erosa (L.) Kuntze

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

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

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, locally common.

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

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

Fig.114. E-H

Basionym: Phaseolus adenanthus G. Meyer

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

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

Status: Probably native, rather common.

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

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

Fig. 110. F-I

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

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

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, locally common.

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

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

Fig. 110. J-M

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

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

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

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

Fig. 111. A-D

Basionym: Dolichos phaseoloides Roxb.

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from November to March.

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

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

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

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

Fig. 113. A-E

Basionym: Glycine labialis L.f.

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, rather common.

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

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

Fig. 113. F-I

Basionym: Dolichos uncinatus L.

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

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

Status: Native, relatively common.

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

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

Fig. 107. E-J

Basionym: Phaseolus lathyroides L.

Synonym: Phaseolus semierectus L.

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Apparently native, very common.

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

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

Fig. 104. A-H

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

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

Status: Native, uncommon.

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

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

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

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

Fig. 111. E-H

Basionym: Dolichos minimus L.

Synonyms: Rhynchosia minima var. lutea Eggers

Rhynchosia minima var. pauciflora Kuntze

Dolicholus minimus (L.) Medic.

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Probably exotic, naturalized, very common.

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

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

Fig. 115. A-C

Basionym: Phaseolus longifolius Benth.

Synonyms: Phaseolus lanceolatus Bello

Phaseolus ovatus Benth.

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

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

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

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

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

Fig. 115. D-H

Basionym: Dolichos luteolus Jacq.

Synonyms: Dolichos repens L.

Vigna repens (L.) Kuntze, non Baker

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

Phenology: Flowering almost throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

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

Fig. 115. I-J

Synonym: Vigna retusa (E. Meyer) Walp.

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

Phenology: Collected in fruit in March.

Status: Native, very rare.

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

Fig. 116. E-F

Basionym: Dolichos unguiculatus L.

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting almost throughout the year.

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

Fig. 116. G-K

Basionym: Phaseolus vexillatus L.

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Apparently native, relatively common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 10166; 10794; 11375; Axelrod, F. 10478; Goll, G.P. 338; Sargent, F.H. 563; Sintenis, P. 1095; Stevenson, J.A. 5803.
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Canavalia ensiformis (L.) Dc., Prodr. 2: 404. 1825.

Fig. 99. A-E

Basionym: Dolichos ensiformis L.

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

Phenology: Unknown.

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

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

Fig. 99. H-L

Basionym: Dolichos roseus Sw.

Synonyms: Dolichos maritimus Aubl.

Canavalia maritima (Aubl.) Urb.

Canavalia maritima Thouars

Dolichos obtusifolius Lam.

Canavalia obtusifolia (Lam.) Dc.

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting almost throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

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

Fig. 106. G-L

Basionym: Pterocarpus lunatus L.f.

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

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

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

Status: Native, common.

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

Fig. 94. A-C

Basionym: Guilandina bonduc L.

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

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from October to March.

Status: Native, rather common.

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

Fig. 95. A-C

Basionym: Reichardia decapetala Roth

Synonyms: Caesalpinia sepiaria Roxb.

Biancaea sepiaria (Roxb.) Todaro

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from September to June.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, common.

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

Fig. 96. A-F

Basionym: Cassia bicapsularis L.

Synonym: Adipera bicapsularis (L.) Britton & Rose

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from November to May.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 705; 841; 2369; 2591; 3917; 4032; Axelrod, F. 9507.
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