Vines and Climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

Rajania cordata L., Sp. Pl. 1032. 1753.

Fig. 177. A-L

Synonym: Rajania sintenisii Uline

Non-woody vine, climbing, twining, glabrous, attainig 3-10 m in length. Stems slender, cylindrical, strong, glabrous. Leaves alternate, glabrous, 4-11.5(20) × 2-6.5(12) cm, 5-9-veined, coriaceous or less frequently chartaceous, ovate, lanceolate, or less frequently hastate, the apex acute or acuminate, the base cordiform to almost truncate; upper surface slightly shiny, with the venation flat or slightly prominent; lower surface with prominent venation; petioles 2-7 cm long, cylindrical, pulvinate at the base. Inflorescences axillary, racemose, pendulous or ascendant. Staminate inflorescences solitary or fasciculate, 4-25 cm long, the flowers grouped in lateral cymes, the cymes stipitate, 1-3 per node; flowers with the perianth white or cream-colored, 0.9-1.1 mm long, the stamens 6. Pistillate inflorescences 4-30 cm long, with solitary flowers distributed along the peduncle; flowers with the perianth 1-1.3 mm long, the hypanthium ca. 1.5 mm long. Fruits samaroid, (1.1)1.6-3.2 cm long, flattened, usually reddish or burgundy, with a wing in a lateral distal position.

Phenology: Flowering from July to March and fruiting from September to June.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 127; 5171; 5226; 6962; 7035; 7104; 7147; 7664; 7922; 7925; 7927; 9403; 9437; 10220; 10570; 10820; 10877; 10878; 11208; 11381; 11406; Axelrod, F. 11069; Britton, N.L. 947; 1732; Goll, G.P. 238; 1033; Liogier, A.H. 9701; 9866; Sargent, F.H. 385; 3159; Shafer, J.A. 2631; 3253; 3606; 3655; Sintenis, P. 1384a; Stevenson, J.A. 158; 3113; Underwood, L.M. 739; Webster, G.L. 8738.
less ↑

Scleria secans (L.) Urb., Symb. Antill. 2(2):169. 1900.

Fig. 173. F-G

Basionym: Schoenus secans L.

Perennial herb, rhizomatous, climbing, attainig 5-10 m in length. Culms branched in the distal portion, acutely triquetrous, retrorsely spinulose on the corners, distally hirsute. Leaves alternate, linear, 10-40 × 0.2-0.7 cm, nearly flat or pleated, attenuate at the apex, the upper surface hirsute at the base, the lower surface sparsely hirsute to glabrous, retrorsely scabrous along the midvein and the margins; leaf sheath scaberulous on the angles. Inflorescences of few spikelets, composed of a terminal panicle and 1-3 axillary panicles that are borne from the ultimate leaf; terminal panicle 2.5-6 cm long; the lateral ones shorter. Staminate spikelets shorter than the pistillate ones; sterile scales 4, ovate or ovatelanceolate, 2.5-6 mm long, light or dark brown, reddish or blackish on the margins. Achenes ovoid or oblong-ovoid, rounded at the apex, appressedpubescent, 2.8-4 mm long, white, sometimes with greenish spots; hypogynium discoid, obscurely trilobate, 0.3-1 mm long, the lobes entire, reflexed.

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

Status: Native, uncommon.
less ↑

Protasparagus setaceus (Kunth) Oberm., S. Afr. J. Bot. 2: 244. 1983.

Fig. 172. A-E

Basionym: Asparagopsis setacea Kunth

Synonyms: Asparagus setaceus (Kunth) Jessop

Asparagus plumosus Baker

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

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

Fig. 184. G-K

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

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

Status: Native, rather common.
less ↑

Smilax coriacea Spreng., Syst. Veg. 2: 103. 1825.

Fig. 184. A-F

Synonyms: Smilax ilicifolia sensu Boldingh non Desv.

Smilax havanensis var. portoricensis A. Dc.

Smilax guianensis var. subarmata O.E. Schulz

Smilax coriacea var. ilicifolia O.E. Schulz

Smilax subarmata O.E. Schulz

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

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

Status: Native, very common.

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

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3818; 7211; 9339; 11395; 11418; 11848; Axelrod, F. 11103; 11160.
less ↑

Epipremnum pinnatum (L.) Engler, Pflanzenr. Iv (23B) 37: 60. 1908.

Fig. 166. A-C

Basionym: Pothos pinnata L.

Synonym: Philodendron nechodomi Britt.

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

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

Status: Exotic, cultivated although uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7141; 10838; 11260; Howard, R.A. 16921.
less ↑

Lasiacis sorghoidea (Desv.) Hitchc., Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 18(7): 338. 1917.

Fig. 183. A-D

Basionym: Panicum sorghoideum Desv.

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

Panicum fuscum Sieber ex Griseb.

Lasiacis swartziana (Hitchc.) Hitchc.

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

Phenology: Collected in fertile condition from November to April.

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3844; 3853; Britton, N.L. 6450; Chase, A. 6218; 6419; 6457; 6728; 6760; 6809; Heller, A.A. 4375; Hess, W.E. 75; Holm 74; Shafer, J.A. 2570; Sintenis, P. 2861; 3062.
less ↑

Lasiacis divaricata (L.) Hitchc., Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 15: 16. 1910.

Fig. 182. E-G

Basionym: Panicum divaricatum L.

Synonyms: Panicum bambusoides Desv. ex Ham.

Lasiacis harrisii Nash

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

Phenology: Collected in fertile condition from September to February.

Status: Native, rather common.

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

Olyra latifolia L., Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 1261. 1759.

Fig. 183. E-H

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

Phenology: Collected in fertile condition in October and January.

Status: Native, locally common.

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

Fig. 176. A-I

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 140; 2977; 7078; 9317; 10812.
less ↑

Dioscorea pilosiuscula Bertero ex Spreng., Syst. Veg. ed. 16, 2: 152. 1825.

Fig. 175. L-P

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from December to July.

Status: Native, uncommon.

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

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

Fig. 174. A-E

Synonym: Rajania flexuosa Bello

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

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

Status: Exotic, naturalized, rather common.

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

Vanilla pompona Schiede, Linnaea 4: 573. 1829.

Fig. 180. G-H

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

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

Status: Exotic, persistent, uncommon.
less ↑

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

Fig. 179. F-G

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

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

Status: Exotic, naturalized by asexual reproduction.

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

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

Fig. 179. A-C

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

Vanilla inodora Schiede

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

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

Status: Exotic, cultivated and escaped, rare.

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

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

Fig. 179. A-C

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

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

Status: Native, locally common.

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

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

Fig. 178. A-E

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

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

Status: Native, locally common.

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

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

Fig. 171. A-C

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

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

Status: Exotic, naturalized, rather common.

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

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

Fig. 168. C-D

Basionym: Arum hederaceum Jacq.

Synonyms: Philodendron scandens Koch & Sello

Philodendron micans Klotzsch ex Koch

Philodendron oxycardium sensu Britton non Schott

Philodendron isertianum Schott

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

Phenology: Collected in flower from May to August.

Status: Native, locally common.

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

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

Fig. 169. A-D

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

Phenology: Collected in flower from February to April.

Status: Native, not very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 4165; 10806; Britton, N.L. 1685; 4312; Sintenis, P. 757.
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Monstera adansonii Schott, Wiener Zeitschr. Kunst 1830: 1028. 1830.

Fig. 167. A-C

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

Phenology: Collected in flower in February.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 9313. Philodendron consanguineum: Breckon, G. 4264; Britton, N.L. 1656; 2586; 4313; Goll, G.P. 1032; Sargent, F.H. 342; Sintenis, P. 4347; Stevenson, J.A. 3494; Underwood, L.M. 753.
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Anthurium scandens (Aubl.) Engler in Mart., Fl. Bras. 3(2): 78. 1878.

Fig. 165. A-F

Basionym: Dracontium scandens Aubl.

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting probably throughout the year.

Status: Native, rather common.

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