Vines and Climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

Trichostigma octandrum (L.) H. Walter, Pflanzenr. 4(83): 109. 1909.

Fig. 138. I-M

Basionym: Rivina octandra L.

Clambering shrub or liana, with pendulous branches, attainig 5-10(-30) m in length. Stems cylindrical, 5-15 cm in diameter. Branches glabrous, with numerous lenticels. Leaves alternate, chartaceous, elliptical or oblong, 4-9(13) × 1.7-4(6) cm, the apex acute or acuminate, the base acute or obtuse, sometimes unequal, the margins crenulate; upper surface dark green, dull, glabrous, with the venation reticulate, inconspicuous; lower surface light green, dull, with the midvein prominent, sometimes the secondary veins, the tertiary veins inconspicuous; petioles 0.5-1.5(3) cm long, with a yellowish or pink tinge, sulcate, swollen at the base; stipules absent. Inflorescences of axillary racemes, up to 15 cm long; peduncle glabrous or puberulent; pedicels 4-7 mm long, with a minute green bracteole, filiform, below or above the middle. Sepals 4, white, 3-5 mm long, oblong or elliptical, concave; petals absent; stamens 8-16; stigmas sessile, capitate, with numerous filiform branches. Fruit fleshy, globose or ellipsoid, purple, 5-7 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from April to October.

Status: Native, very common.

Commentary: In Guilarte and Río Abajo there are several populations of Trichostigma that differ from Trichostigma octandrum in having scabrous leaves with the tertiary and quaternary venation very conspicuous. The recognition of these populations at the specific or subspecific level is not possible because there are no other significant morphological differences.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 628; 4347; 4731; 5354; 5447; 11350; Britton, N.L. 113; 1705; 2241; Cowell, J.F. 758; Heller, A.A. 1165; Sargent, F.H. 205; Shafer, J.A. 2835; Sintenis, P. 921; 1016; 3931; Stevenson, J.A. 1885; 2500.
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Bougainvillea glabra Choisy in Dc., Prodr. 13(2): 437. 1849.

Fig. 129. A-F

Woody vine or shrub, clambering, attainig 15 m in length. Stem cylindrical, attaining 5-6 cm in diameter; cross section of the stem with discrete vascular bundles within the connective tissue. Branches pubescent, puberulent, or glabrous, with straight, axillary spines. Leaves alternate or subopposite, 3-6 × 1.5-3 cm, chartaceous, elliptical, puberulent, the apex acuminate, the base attenuate, slightly asymmetrical, the margins slightly sinuate; lower surface with the midvein prominent; petioles slender, 4-12 mm long. Dichasial cymes compound, on axillary branches or at the end of axillary spines, the axes glabrous or puberulent; bracts ovate, glabrous, cordiform at the base, 2.5-4 cm long, of showy colors, red, deep pink, orange, white, or purple. Perianth tubular-hypocrateriform, 2.5-3 mm long, pubescent, with 8-10 obtuse lobes, cream-colored. Anthocarp fusiform, glabrous, ca. 1.5 cm long.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year.

Status: Exotic, very common in our gardens.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 11237.
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Selenicereus grandiflorus (L.) Britton & Rose, Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 12: 430. 1909.

Fig. 55. F-G

Basionym: Cactus grandiflorus L.

Liana with numerous lateral branches, which climbs by aerial roots, attaining 6 m in length. Stems fleshy, 2-2.5 cm in diameter, cylindrical, with 5-8 ribs; areoles prominent, along the ribs, covered with spines and whitish lanate hairs, the spines acicular, 5-8 mm long, yellowish, in groups of 5. Flowers solitary, pendulous, axillary to the group of spines or terminal, 15-18 cm long; perianth infundibuliform, the tube elongate, densely lanate outside; outer tepals linear, salmoncolored; inner tepals whitish, obovate; stamens numerous, in two series, inserted. Berry ovoid, red or yellowish, ca. 8 cm long; seeds numerous, minute, black, covered with a white pulp.

Phenology: Collected in flower in June.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 1874; 2835.
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Hylocereus undatus (Haw.) Britton & Rose in Britton, Fl. Berm. 256. 1918.

Fig. 54. D-E

Basionym: Cereus undatus Haw.

Much branched vine, creeping or climbing by aerial roots, attaining 7 m in length. Stems fleshy, 2-5 cm wide, trigonal, with 3 longitudinal ribs with undulate margins, with depressions in which are found groups of 1-5 subconical brown spines, 3-4 mm long. Flowers solitary, up to 30 cm long, axillary to the group of spines or terminal on the branch; perianth glabrous, infundibuliform; outer tepals greenish yellow, sometimes with a reddish tinge, those of the hypanthium ovate-lanceolate, the distal ones linear-lanceolate, the inner tepals petaliferous, white, longer than the outer ones; stamens yellow; inserted; stigmas greenish yellow. Berry red, ellipsoid, fleshy, 6-12 × 5-7 cm, with persistent tepals; seeds numerous, minute, black, covered with a red pulp.

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

Status: Exotic, uncommon, cultivated and naturalized.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 11494.
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Boerhavia scandens L., Sp. Pl. 3. 1753.

Fig. 128. A-F

Synonym: Commicarpus scandens (L.) Standl.

Clambering herb with pseudodichotomous branching, attainig 1-2 m in length. Branches cylindrical, brittle, glabrous. Leaves opposite, in pairs of the same size, 2-5 × 0.8-4 cm, deltoid, ovate, or broadly ovate, chartaceous, the apex obtuse or acute, the base cordiform or truncate, the margins undulate and ciliate; upper surface glabrous; lower surface puberulent; petioles canaliculate, 0.5-2.7 cm long. Inflorescences umbelliform, axillary; peduncles glabrous, 5-12 cm long; bracts and bracteoles minute, lanceolate, deciduous; pedicels unequal, 2-8 mm long. Calyx: basal part claviform, 1-1.5 mm long, glabrous, green; upper part or limb infundibuliform, white or yellowish green, green or with a pink tinge inside, 2-2.5 mm long; stamens 2, white; pistil white. Anthocarps long-pedicellate, green, claviform, dry, 12-13 mm long, with a ring of sticky stipitate glands on the distal portion.

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

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2520; 3105; 4764; 7892; 10801; 11291; 11499; 11532.
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Stegnosperma cubense A. Rich. in Sagra, Hist. Nat. Cub. 10: 309. 1845.

Fig. 138. D-H

Erect, clambering, or creeping shrub, with numerous lateral branches, attainig 1.5-5 m in length. Stems cylindrical, glabrous, dark gray, with minute lenticels. Leaves alternate, coriaceous or chartaceous, elliptical, 1.2-6 × 0.9-2.7 cm, the apex obtuse or less frequently acute or rounded, the base obtuse, the margins crenulate; upper surface dark green, dull, with inconspicuous venation; lower surface light green, dull, with the midvein prominent; petioles 4-10 mm long; stipules absent. Flowers fragrant, in racemes at the end of short axillary branches, up to 7 cm long; peduncle glabrous; pedicels 2-3 mm long. Sepals 5, white, ca. 2.5 mm long, elliptical, more or less concave; petals 5, white, elliptical, 2.5-3 mm long; stamens 10, the filaments connate at the base; ovary superior, with 3-5 carpels, stigmas 3-5, sessile, elongate. Fruit a reddish capsule, ovoid, 4-5.5 mm long, opening by 3-4 woody valves. Seeds ellipsoid, black, shiny, ca. 4 mm long, covered by a white to pink aril.

Phenology: Collected in flower from June to September and from November to January and in fruit from January to March and from August to September.

Status: Probably exotic, cultivated, probably naturalized.

Selected Specimens Examined: Britton, N.L. 9628.
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Plumbago scandens L., Sp. Pl. ed. 2, 215. 1762.

Fig. 140. A-F

Slightly woody shrub, scandent, with numerous basal or lateral branches, attaining 2-3 m in length. Stems cylindrical, striate, glabrous. Leaves alternate, chartaceous, 3-13 × 1-6 cm, ovate, oblong-lanceolate, spathulate, or oblanceolate, the apex acute, acuminate, or obtuse, the base obtuse, rounded, cuneate, or attenuate, sometimes unequal, the margins entire; upper surface glabrous; lower surface with lepidote dots; petioles 5-10 mm long. Inflorescences of terminal panicles, up to 30 cm long; peduncles glabrous, striate, sparsely covered with sessile glands; bracteoles elliptical, ca. 2 mm long; pedicels ca. 1 cm long. Calyx green, 7-11 mm long, the ribs with sticky stipitate glands; corolla white, hypocrateriform, the tube 1.2-2 cm long, the lobes 0.5-1 cm long, obovate, mucronate; stamens exserted, the anthers pale violet. Fruit an oblong capsule, covered by the persistent calyx and sticky.

Phenology: Collected in flower from January to August.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, common in our gardens.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 627; 1893; 2462; 5341.
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Iresine angustifolia Euphrasén, Beskr. Ste. Barthél. 165.1795.

Fig. 17. A-F

Synonyms:Iresine elatior Rich. ex Willd.

Iresine celosioides Sw.

Herb, clambering or less frequently creeping, or sometimes a subshrub attainig 2 m in length, much branched from a woody base. Stems cylindrical, glabrous, with the nodes somewhat swollen. Leaves opposite; blades 2-13 × 0.5-4.5 cm, lanceolate, chartaceous, the apex short or long-acuminate, the base obtuse or acute, usually unequal, the margins entire, slightly revolute; upper surface glabrous or puberulous; lower surface dull, with prominent venation; petioles slender, 0.5-2 cm long. Flowers bisexual, in terminal panicles, up to 30 cm long; bracts and bracteoles lanceolate, with a dorsal keel and the apex aristate, the bracteoles of the same size as the tepals. Tepals 5, white to greenish, elliptical, ca. 1.5 mm long, with a tuft of undulate hairs at the base; stamens 5; stigma bifid. Capsule subglobose, membranaceous, ca. 1 mm long; seeds black, shiny, subglobose, 0.8-1 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 779; 2469;2568; 2726; 3122; 3890; 6979; 10658; Raunkiaer, C. s.n.
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Celosia nitida Vahl, Symb. Bot. 2: 44. 1791.

Fig. 16. A-E

Herb or subshrub, erect or sometimes clambering, 0.5-1 m in length, with numerous branches that are borne on a woody base. Branches cylindrical, glabrous, striate. Leaves alternate; blades 2-6 × 1-3 (4) cm, deltate-lanceolate or lanceolate, chartaceous, glabrous, the apex acute, the base unequal, truncate, abruptly narrowed toward the petiole, the margins entire or slightly undulate; upper surface dull, with numerous whitish dots; petioles slender, 1-1.5 cm long. Flowers arranged in terminal, simple or branched spikes, 2-10 cm long; bracts and bracteoles triangular, with a hyaline margin. Tepals whitish with the apex somewhat reddish, oblonglanceolate, ca. 4 mm long, glabrous; stamens 5, the filaments compressed, united at the base to form a short staminal tube; ovary ovoid, the stigmas 3, ca. 2 mm long. Capsule subglobose, somewhat compressed, ca. 3 mm long; seeds 9-19, dark brown, shiny, ca. 1.2 mm long, lenticular, naked.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 1807; 4358; 6988; 11080; 11293; Britton, N.L. 132; 1956; 5033; Heller, A.A. 6424; Johnston, J.R. 1246; Sargent, F.H. 3211; Shafer, J.A. 2756; Sintenis, P. 615; 3024; 3444; Velez, I. 3086a.
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Chamissoa altissima (Jacq.) Kunth in Humb. Bonpl. & Kunth, Nov. Gen. Sp. (quarto ed.) 2: 197. 1817.

Fig. 1. D, 16. F-K

Basionym: Achyranthes altissima Jacq.

Liana or woody shrub, clambering, 3-15 m in length, with numerous pendulous branches. Stems angular when young and cylindrical when mature, up to 3 cm in diameter, glabrous; cross section of the stem with bands of vascular tissue alternating with very narrow bands of parenchymatous tissue. Leaves alternate; blades 8-14 × 3-7 cm, elliptical, ovate, or elliptic-ovate, chartaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base rounded, the margins undulate; upper surface slightly shiny, puberulous; lower surface pale green, dull, with prominent venation; petioles slender, usually reddish, 2-4.5 cm long. Flowers in terminal panicles, 4-16 cm long. Perianth white to greenish, with five ovate tepals, concave, acute, ca. 3 mm long, glabrous; stamens 5; stigma bifid. Capsule ovoid, truncate at the apex, membranaceous, turning from green to white, 3-4 mm long; seeds dark brown, shiny, completely covered by a white arillode.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3738; 7050; 7730; 7849; 9410; 11872; Axelrod, F. 10982; Heller, A.A. 545; 4521; 6197; Johnston, J.R. 1130; Sargent, F.H. 82; 461; 704; Sintenis, P. 264; 2139; 5892; 6357; Stevenson, J.A. 1130.
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Iresine diffusa Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 765. 1805.

Fig. 17. J-L

Synonyms: Iresine paniculata (L.) Kuntze

Iresine celosioides L.

Iresine celosia L.

Herb or subshrub, clambering or less frequently creeping, 1-3 m in length, much branched from the woody base. Stems glabrous or pubescent, with the nodes compressed, usually pilose. Leaves opposite; blades 3-9 (-11) × 1-5 cm, lanceolate or ovate, chartaceous, the apex acute or obtuse, the base obtuse, acute, or truncate, the margins slightly undulate and revolute; upper surface dull, puberulous or glabrous; lower surface dull, pubescent or glabrous, with prominent venation; petioles slender, 0.5-3.0 cm long. Flowers unisexual, in terminal or axillary panicles, pendulous, 7-15 cm long, the axes pubescent or glabrous; bracts and bracteoles not keeled, acute or short-acuminate at the apex, the bracteoles smaller than the tepals. Tepals creamcolored or whitish; ovate or oblong, with a tuft of undulate hairs at the base, 0.5-0.8 mm long in the staminate flowers, oblong, 0.9-1.1 mm long in the pistillate flowers; stamens 5, the filaments unequal. Capsule ellipsoid, membranaceous, ca. 1 mm long; seeds reddish brown, shiny.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from September to May.

Status: Native, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 118; 7852; 9487; 9494; Britton, N.L. 1444; Goll, G.P. 600; 622; Heller, A.A. 349; Morton, C.V. 5740; Sargent, F.H. 221; Sintenis, P. 303; 2422; 5844; Stevenson, J.A. 2410; Underwood, L.M. 342; 457.
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Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn., Bot. Beechey Voy. 308, t. 69. 1838.

Fig. 142. G-M

Slightly woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 5-13 m in length. Stems puberulent, pentagonal, with many lateral branches. Leaves alternate, ovate, triangularovate, or almost lanceolate, chartaceous, 5-14.5 × 2-7 cm, the apex acute or acuminate, the base cordiform or truncate, the margins crenulate, sometimes ciliate; upper surface light green, slightly shiny, puberulent, with the venation sunken; lower surface pale green, dull, puberulent or glabrous, with prominent venation; petioles 1-5 cm long, reddish, puberulent, cylindrical or subwinged. Flowers bisexual, in axillary racemes or terminal panicles, 10-20 cm long, puberulent, terminating in a pair of spiral tendrils; pedicels 3-4(-10) mm long. Perianth 4-7 mm long, of 5 ovate or elliptical tepals, intense pink or white; staminal column 2-3 mm long, of the same color as the tepals. Achene ovoid, 5-8 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year, although more predominantly from June to December.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, locally very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 1811; 5267; 11265; 11468; Goll, G.P. 75; 648; Sargent, F.H. s.n.; Shafer, J.A. 2706; Sintenis, P. 953; Stevenson, J.A. 530.
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Antigonon guatemalense Meissn. in Dc., Prodr. 14: 184. 1856.

Fig. 142. A-F

Synonyms: Antigonon macrocarpum Britton & Small

Antigonon grandiflorum (Bertol) B.L. Rob.

Slightly woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 5-10 m in length. Stems puberulent, pentagonal. Leaves alternate, ovate, broadly ovate, or ovate-triangular, chartaceous, 5-9.5 × 3.2-7.7 cm, the apex obtuse or acute, mucronate, the base cordiform, the margins crenulate; upper surface pubescent, dull, with the venation flat; lower surface tomentose, with prominent venation; petioles 8-10 mm long, tomentose, almost cylindrical. Flowers bisexual, in groups of 4-5 flowers, in axillary racemes or terminal panicles, the racemes 15-22 cm long, the axes densely pubescent with septate trichomes, the distal portion of the axis twisting like a tendril; pedicels 1.5-2 cm, articulated near the middle, the basal portion persistent, sometimes twisted like a tendril. Perianth pink, in two unequal series, the outer ones circular, 2.6-3.2 cm long, the base sagittate, with overlapping sinuses, the inner ones ca. 1.5 cm long, ovate; staminal column ca. 2 mm long. Achene ellipsoid, ca. 1.2 cm long.

Phenology: Collected in flower during November.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and spontaneous (according to Liogier, 1985).
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Pereskia aculeata Miller, Gard. Dict. ed. 8. 1768.

Fig. 55. A-E

Clambering shrub or liana attaining 15 m in length, much branched from a woody base. Stems woody, dark brown, cylindrical, without ribs, 2-3 cm in diameter, with numerous areoles; spines dimorphic, up to 1.5 cm long, usually deciduous; branches scandent or pendulous. Leaves alternate, persistent; blades 4-7 × 1.5-5 cm, lanceolate, ovate, or oblong, fleshy, glabrous, the apex shortacuminate, the base cuneate or rounded, the margins entire; upper and lower surface glabrous; petioles 3-7 mm long, with a pair of stipular spines, recurved at the base. Flowers few, in terminal racemes; hypanthium crateriform, with several bracteoles and areoles with acicular spines. Tepals white, 2.5-3 cm long; stamens numerous, in two series, yellow; ovary inferior. Berry yellow or orange, globose, ca. 2 cm in diameter, with several bracteoles and persistent spines; seeds few, 4-5 mm wide, lenticular or rounded, dark brown.

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

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 4267; Gregory 209; Shafer, J.A. 2563.
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Pisonia aculeata L., Sp. Pl. 1026. 1753.

Fig. 1A; 128. G-M

Synonym:Pisonia helleri Standl.

Liana or woody, clambering shrub, attainig 20 m in length. Stems more or less cylindrical, glabrous or minutely pubescent, grayish or creamcolored, lenticellate, attaining 7 cm in diameter; cross section of the stem with discrete vascular bundles within the connective tissue. Branches short or elongate; short branches opposite, divaricate, persistent, with recurved spines, produced on the trunk; elongate branches at the end of the stem, glabrescent, quadrangular, with recurved axillary spines. Leaves opposite on the elongate branches or whorled on the short lateral branches, 6-14 × 3-6 cm, chartaceous, elliptical, ovate, oblong, or suborbicular, the apex acute, obtuse, rounded, or short-acuminate, the base obtuse, unequal or rounded, the margins crenulate; upper surface glabrous, dark green, shiny, with the midvein slightly prominent; lower surface pale green, shiny, glabrous or sometimes pubescent, with the midvein prominent; petioles slender, 1-3 cm long. Inflorescences of small axillary cymes, with minute sessile flowers. Staminate flowers campanulate, 2.5-3 mm long, yellowish, pubescent outside; stamen exserted, the filaments twice as long as the perianth. Pistillate flowers ca. 2.5 mm long, almost tubular, tomentose; stigma exserted, branched. Anthocarp ellipsoid or claviform, obtusely 5-angular, 10-12 mm long, tomentose, with one or two lines of stipitate glands in each of the angles.

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

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 548; 4209; 4737; 7221; 10651; 11480; Liogier, A.H. 35979; Shafer, J.A. 2572; Sintenis, P. 672; Underwood, L.M. 561.
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Basella alba L., Sp. Pl. 272. 1753.

Fig. 42. K-N

Synonym: Basella rubra L.

Twining vine, climbing or creeping, herbaceous, glabrous, attaining 10 m in length. Stems somewhat succulent, cylindrical, usually with a reddish to purple tonality, up to 2.5 cm in diameter. Leaves alternate; blades 3-15 × 1.2-14 cm, green, reddish, or purple, ovate, orbicular, or oblong, fleshy, the apex obtuse, rounded, or acute, the base acute, subtruncate, rounded, or cordiform, decurrent on the petiole, the margins entire, undulate, usually reddish or purple; upper surface dull, with slightly conspicuous venation; lower surface dull, with slightly prominent venation; petioles green or reddish, 0.5-5 cm long, slightly winged. Flowers arranged in simple or branched spikes, axillary, erect, 15-25 cm long. Calyx white or with a reddish tinge, the sepals 2, ovate or elliptical, 3.2-4 mm long; corolla fleshy, white, with a reddish or violet tinge toward the apex, 3.3-4.1 mm long. Utricles purple, fleshy, 4-lobate, 4-5 mm long, covered by the accrescent corolla, 5-7 mm long.

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

Status: Exotic, widely cultivated as a vegetable, because its leaves are edible, like spinach.
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Agdestis clematidea Moçiño & Sessé ex Dc., Syst. Nat. 1: 543. 1818.

Fig. 138. A-C

Twining vine, herbaceous, attainig 15 m in length. Stems angular, reddish, striate, puberulent. Leaves with a strong, disagreeable odor, alternate, chartaceous, ovate or broadly ovate, 3-9 × 3-7.5 cm, the apex obtuse or short-acuminate, mucronate, the base deeply cordiform or hastate, the margins crenulate; upper surface dark green, dull, with minute dots; lower surface light green, dull, puberulent, with prominent venation; petioles 1.5-9 cm long, with a reddish tinge, sulcate; stipules absent. Flowers bisexual, white, in axillary panicles, 6-17 cm long; peduncles glabrous or puberulent; pedicels 1-2 mm long, with a minute green bracteole, lanceolate, at the base. Sepals 4, white, 3-5 mm long, oblong or oblanceolate, with the parallel venation conspicuous; petals absent; stamens 13-20; ovary partially inferior, the style conical, with 4 recurved stigmatic branches; ovule solitary. Fruits coriaceous, indehiscent, turbinate, ca. 3 mm long, with the sepals persistent at the base. Seeds elliptical.

Phenology: Flowering from May to December.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized (according to Liogier, 1985), uncommon.
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Anredera vesicaria (Lam.) C.F. Gaertn, Suppl. Carp. 176, t. 213. 1807.

Fig. 42. A-G

Basionym: Basella vesicaria Lam.

Synonyms: Boussingaultia leptostachys Moq.

Anredera leptostachys(Moq.) Steenis

Herbaceous vine, twining, attaining 15 m in length. Roots tuberous. Stems slender, glabrous, cylindrical, sometimes with a reddish tonality. Leaves alternate; blades 3-11 × 2-6.5 cm, ovate, glabrous, fleshy, the apex acute or acuminate, the base rounded, obtuse, or cordiform, the margins entire or crenate; upper surface dull, with subconspicuous venation; lower surface slightly shiny, with prominent venation; petioles 0.4-2 cm long, slightly winged. Flowers aromatic, functionally unisexual, in axillary pendulous racemes, 10-20 cm long, or in terminal pendulous panicles, 30-50 cm long; pedicels with deciduous bracts. Calyx white, of ovate sepals, ca. 0.4 mm long; corolla white, the petals ovate, 1.5-2.2 mm long, turning cream-colored or remaining white on drying; stamens 5, the filaments connate at the base, 3-4 mm long, the anthers lanceolate, 0.2-0.4 mm long; ovary glabrous, globose, stigmatic branches twice as long as the style. Utricles obovoid, slightly triangular, 1-1.3 mm long, crowned by the fleshy style.

Phenology: Flowering from September to April. The populations of this species in Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Lesser Antilles contain staminate flowers only and never produce fruits. The reproduction of this species on the islands mentioned seems to be exclusively asexual by means of underground tubers (Sperling, 1987).

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 1870; 2512 4228; Axelrod, F. 9947.
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Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis, Fl. Males., Ser. 1, 5: 303. 1957.

Fig. 42. H-J

Basionym: Boussingaultia cordifolia Ten.

Herbaceous vine, fleshy, twining, attaining 5 m in length. Roots tuberous. Stems glabrous, cylindrical, up to 2.5 cm in diameter, producing solitary or clustered bulbils. Leaves alternate; blades 2.2-10 × 1.4-6.2 cm, ovate or broadly ovate, glabrous, fleshy, the apex obtuse or acute, the base cordiform, decurrent on the petiole, the margins entire, hyaline or reddish; upper surface dull, waxy, with the venation somewhat sunken; lower surface lighter than the upper surface, with the venation slightly prominent; petioles 6-12 mm long, slightly winged. Flowers aromatic, turning blackish on drying, apparently bisexual, in terminal or axillary racemes or pendulous panicles, up to 65 cm long; pedicels with persistent bracts. Calyx of 2 white sepals, ovate or broadly elliptical, 1.3-2.2 mm long; corolla of 5 white petals, ovate or elliptical, 2-3 mm long, connate at the base; stamens 5, the filaments connate at the base, 2-3.5 mm long, the anthers lanceolate, 0.7-0.8 mm long; ovary globose or obovoid, glabrous, stigmatic branches 3, as long as the style. Utricles globose, slightly compressed or triangular, 0.9-1.1 mm long, crowned by the base of the fleshy style.

Phenology: Collected in flower in August and September. Rarely produces fruits in Puerto Rico; propagated by means of bulbils or underground tubers.

Status: Exotic, cultivated as an ornamental, naturalized, uncommon.

Commentary: This species has been identified erroneously as Anredera baselloides (Kunth) Baill. by many botanists of the Caribbean flora. Anredera baselloides is a different species, which is neither found either in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.
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Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd., Sp. Pl. ed. 2, 348. 1799.

Fig. 129. G-H

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

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year.

Status: Exotic, uncommon.

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