Vines and Climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

Poranopsis paniculata (Roxb.) Roberty, Candollea 14. 26. 1953.

Fig. 77. D-G

Basionym: Porana paniculata Roxb.

Slightly woody vine, twining, 5-7 m in length, with scarce watery latex. Stems slender, cylindrical, canescent. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 4-9 × 3-6.5 cm, chartaceous, ovate, palmatinerved, the apex acute, acuminate, or cuspidate, the base cordiform, the margins entire or slightly sinuate; upper surface pubescent, with the venation slightly prominent; lower surface densely pubescent, with prominent venation; petioles cylindrical, pubescent, 2-3.2 cm long. Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic, in axillary or terminal panicles, ascending, up to 17 cm long, with the axes tomentose; bracts oblong or lanceolate, minute, tomentose. Calyx green, canescent-tomentose, accrescent, the sepals free to the base, ca. 1.5 mm long, lanceolate; corolla white, infundibuliform, glabrous, 4.5-6 mm long, the limb 5-lobed; stamens 5, not exserted, the filaments very short, of equal size; ovary superior, with an annular disc at the base, unicarpellate, with two basal ovules, the style very short, the stigma globose or bilobate, green, not exserted. Fruit indehiscent, ovoid-globose, 5-6 mm long, with the three outer sepals accrescent; seed usually one, ovoid or subglobose.

Phenology: Collected in flower from November to February.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized in disturbed areas, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 9293; Goll, G.P. 525; Liogier, A.H. 30239; Stevenson, J.A. 6924.
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Solanum wendlandii Hook. f., Bot. Mag. t. 6914. 1887.

Fig. 155. J-L

Slightly woody vine, scandent, attainig several meters in length. Stems cylindrical, glabrous, unarmed or less frequently with some minute recurved spines. Leaves alternate, deeply (3)5-7-pinnatilobate or sometimes simple, 4.5-7.5-17 × 4.6-12 cm, membranaceous, glabrous, with numerous minute dots, elliptical when simple, 4.5-14 × 4.6-7.5, the apex short-acuminate, the base obtuse to almost rounded; segments or lobes elliptical or oblong-elliptical, usually asymmetrical, the apex acute or acuminate, the margins entire; lower surface dull, the primary vein prominent, sometimes with recurved spines; petioles glabrous, 3-6.5 cm long, usually narrowly winged, sometimes with recurved spines. Flowers unisexual, in terminal pseudodichotomous panicles, 8-20 cm long, glabrous; pedicels glabrous, 1-1.7 cm long. Staminate flowers: calyx green, cyathiform, glabrous, 5-7 mm long, with 5 ovate-deltate or ovate lobes, 1-3 mm long, apiculate at the apex; corolla lavender, rotate, pentagonal, 3.5-6 cm wide, the lobes apiculate, ciliate; anthers oblong, 9-10.5 mm long, not connivent, dehiscent by terminal pores and by longitudinal sutures, the filaments thick, unequal. Pistillate flowers and fruits not observed.

Phenology: Collected in flower from April to October.

Status: Exotic, cultivated as an ornamental and escaped from cultivation (according to Liogier, 1995), although not very common. The plants of this species that are found in cultivation seem to be all male, and apparently reproduce asexually.
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Ipomoea imperati (Vahl) Griseb., Cat. Pl. Cub. 203. 1866.

Fig. 66. C-E

Basionym: Convolvulus imperati Vahl

Synonyms: Ipomoea stolonifera J. F. Gmel.

Convolvulus littoralis L.

Ipomoea littoralis (L.) Boiss, non Blume

Erect herb or creeping or sometimes ascending vine, slightly woody, attaining 2 m in length, with milky latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, glabrous, producing adventitious roots in the area of the nodes. Leaves alternate, usually clustered on short axillary branches; blades simple, 2-10 × 1-2.5 cm, lanceolate, oblong, or deltoid, sometimes subsagittate, lyrate, or deeply trilobed, fleshy when fresh, chartaceous on drying, glabrous, the apex obtuse, rounded, or sometimes emarginate, mucronate, the base cuneiform, truncate, subcordiform to subsagittate; upper surface dull, glabrous, with the veins flat; lower surface glabrous, with the primary and secondary veins prominent; petioles 1-6.5 cm long, sulcate, pilose at the apex. Flowers solitary or in ascending dichasial cymes; peduncles 1.5-4.5 cm long. Calyx green, not accrescent, the sepals 10-15 mm long, elliptical, aristate at the apex, the margin hyaline, the two outer ones slightly longer than the inner ones, glabrous; corolla white, with a yellow center, infundibuliform, 2.5-5 cm long, the limb 3-6 cm in diameter, with 5 shallow, obtuse lobes; stamens and stigmas not exserted. Capsules globose or conical, 1.2-1.5 cm long; seeds 1-4 per fruit, ca. 5 mm long, lanate-pubescent.

Phenology: Collected in flower from October to March.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7039; 9294; Britton, N.L. 199; 1544; 1716; Goll, G.P. 959; Heller, A.A. 42; Sargent, F.H. 726; Shafer, J.A. 2399; Sintenis, P. 976; Stevenson, J.A. 356.
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Ipomoea ochracea (Lindl.) G. Don, Gen. Hist. 4: 270. 1838.

Fig. 68. A-C

Basionym: Convolvulus ochraceus Lindl.

Slightly woody vine, twining, attaining 5 m in length, with scarce watery latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, pubescent. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 3-10 × 2.5-7.5 cm, ovate, chartaceous, glabrous except for some hairs on the veins, the apex acuminate and usually mucronate, the base cordiform, the margins entire or sinuate; upper and lower surface with the veins slightly prominent, the lower surface usually glaucous; petioles 2-6 cm long, pubescent. Flowers solitary or in double dichasia, axillary; peduncles slightly longer than the petioles; bracts ovate, ca. 1.6 mm long. Calyx green, not accrescent, of 5 subequal sepals, 5-7 mm long, chartaceous, ovate or oblong-ovate, glabrous, punctate; corolla pale yellow, with the base of the tube purple inside, infundibuliform, 3-4 cm long, the limb with 5 shallow, rounded lobes; stamens and stigmas white, not exserted. Capsule ovoid, glabrous, with a thin pericarp, 1.3-1.6 cm long, stramineous, with the sepals persistent, not accrescent at the base; seeds 4 per fruit, 4-5 mm long, black, dull, glabrous.

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

Status: Exotic, naturalized.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2607; 3096; 4099; 5336; 6231; 7718; 10527.
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Jacquemontia pentanthos (Jacq.) G. Don, Gen. Hist. 4: 283. 1838.

Fig. 74. A-D

Basionym: Convolvulus pentanthos Jacq.

Slightly woody vine, twining, attaining 2 m in length, without latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, sparsely covered with white trifid hairs, glabrous when mature. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 1.8-6 × 1.2-3.7 cm, ovate or lanceolate, chartaceous, sparsely covered with white trifid hairs on both surfaces, the apex obtuse, acute, or mucronate and sometimes retuse, the base cordiform or truncate, the margins entire or sinuate; upper surface dark green; lower surface pale green, with prominent venation; petioles slender, pubescent or glabrous, 1-4 cm long. Flowers in congested dichasial cymes; peduncles longer than the leaves; bracts elliptical, ca. 5 mm long. Calyx green, the sepals broadly ovate or deltoid, 8-10 mm long, pubescent, acuminate at the apex; corolla blue or brilliant blue, with the center white, forming a star of 5 arms, rotate, the limb pentagonal in outline, 2.2-2.5 cm in diameter, the margins reflexed; stamens and stigmas white, exserted. Capsules globose, ca. 5 mm in diameter, brown, with the sepals persistent at the base; seeds obtusely triangular, ca. 4 mm long, brown, glabrous.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 687; 862; 1037; 2014; 2306; 4024; 4037; 4100; 4102; 4410; 5365; 6974; 7053; 10476; 11069; 11211; 11397; 11509. Britton, E.G. 692; Britton, N.L. 13; 1570; 1965; 2820; 4072; 4823; 5024; 8073; Goll, G.P. 594; 1018; Heller, A.A. 315; 4456; Johnston, J.R. 816; Sargent, F.H. 456; Shafer, J.A. 2612; 2725; Sintenis, P. 31; 3160; Stevenson, J.A. 2455.
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Merremia cissoides (Lam.) H. Hallier, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 16: 552. 1893.

Fig. 75. F-G

Basionym: Convolvulus cissoides Lam.

Synonym: Ipomoea cissoides (Lam.) Griseb.

Herbaceous vine, twining, 3-5 m in length, with scarce watery latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, glandular-pubescent and frequently hispidulous, glabrescent. Leaves alternate; blades 5-palmately compound, 2-7.2 × 1.2-3.3 cm, chartaceous; leaflets elliptical, ovate, or ovatelanceolate, the apex obtuse, the base acute, the margins entire or slightly dentate; upper surface glabrous; lower surface glandular-pubescent or glabrous; petiolules ca. 1 mm long, glandularpubescent; petioles slender, hispidulous, glandular-pubescent, 2-3 (6) cm long. Flowers in simple or double dichasial cymes; peduncles longer than the petioles; bracts persistent, subulate. Calyx green, the sepals unequal, 1-1.5 cm long, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, glandularpubescent externally, acuminate at the apex; corolla white, with the center purple, infundibuliform, 2-3 cm long, the limb 5-lobed, (2.2)3-4 cm in diameter; stamens and stigmas white, not exserted. Capsules globose, 6-8 mm in diameter, light brown, glabrous, with the sepals persistent; seeds ellipsoid, ca. 6 mm long, grayish, lanate.

Phenology: Collected in flower in February.

Status: Native, rare.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 9348; Liogier, A.H. 31319.
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Merremia aegyptia (L.) Urb., Symb. Antill. 4: 505. 1910.

Fig. 75. A-E

Basionym: Ipomoea aegyptia L.

Slightly woody vine, twining or creeping, attaining 3 m in length, with scarce milky latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, hispid, with simple yellowish hairs. Leaves alternate; blades 5-palmately compound, chartaceous; leaflets 4-14 × 2-6 cm, oblanceolate or elliptical, the apex and base acuminate, the margins entire, ciliate; upper and lower surface hispidulous; petioles slender, sulcate, hispid, 6-8 cm long. Flowers in dichasial cymes; peduncles shorter than the petioles; bracts deciduous. Calyx green, the sepals unequal, 1.5-2 cm long, lanceolate or elliptical, hispid outside on the basal portion, acute at the apex; corolla white, infundibuliform, 2.5-3 cm long, the limb slightly pentagonal, 4-4.5 cm in diameter; stamens and stigmas white, not exserted. Capsules subglobose, ca. 1 cm in diameter, light brown, glabrous, with the sepals persistent, accrescent, and expanded; seeds obtusely triangular, 5-6 mm long, pale brown, glabrous.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from November to May.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 527; 3080; 5360; 7216; Axelrod, F. 10485.
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Stictocardia tiliifolia (Desr.) H. Hallier, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 18: 159. 1893.

Fig. 78. A-D

Basionym: Convolvulus tiliaefolius Desr.

Synonym: Rivea campanulata sensu House, non (L.) House

Woody vine, creeping or climbing, twining, attaining 5 m in length, with scarce milky latex. Stems slender, cylindrical, glabrous or pubescent, with numerous short lateral branches. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 5-17 × 5-12 cm, ovate to subrounded, chartaceous, glabrous, the apex acute, obtuse, or short-acuminate and mucronate, the base cordiform or sagittate, the margins undulate; upper surface dull with the venation flat; lower surface dull, punctate, with prominent venation; petioles 10-15 cm long, subcylindrical, slightly sulcate, glabrous. Flowers solitary or in simple cymes, axillary. Calyx green, the sepals glabrous, unequal, 1.7-2 cm long, overlapping, ovate or rounded; corolla pink or lavender, 6-8 cm long, the limb up to 6 cm in diameter, with rounded lobes; stamens and stigmas pink, not exserted. Fruit globose, 2.5-3 cm long, brown, tardily dehiscent by the dissolution of the pericarp, covered by the accrescent sepals; seeds obtusely triangular or rounded, ca. 1 cm long, brown, velvety.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from December to February.

Status: Exotic, naturalized in disturbed areas, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2898; 3120; 4008; Axelrod, F. 10071; Shafer, J.A. 2583; Sintenis, P. 86; Stevenson, J.A. 3501; 5886.
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Ipomoea violacea L., Sp. Pl. 161. 1753.

Fig. 1. B; 72. I-K

Synonyms: Convolvulus tuba Schltdl.

Calonyction tuba (Schltdl.) Colla

Ipomoea tuba (Schltdl.) G. Don

Ipomoea macranthaRoem. & Schult.

Convolvulus grandiflorus L.f.

Operculina grandiflora (L.f.) House, pro parte

Slightly woody vine, twining, up to 15 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems cylindrical or subtriangular, grayish, with numerous lenticels usually arranged in lines; adult stems up to 3 cm in diameter, cross section with numerous alternating concentric rings of xylem and phloem. Leaves alternate; blades 9-15 × 7-11 cm, glabrous, broadly ovate, sometimes trilobed, fleshy-coriaceous, usually involute, the apex acute or acuminate, mucronate, the base cordiform or deeply cordiform, the margins undulate; upper surface light green, with the venation yellowish; lower surface pale green, shiny, with prominent venation; petioles cylindrical, glabrous, yellowish green, longer than the blade, with a pair of triangular glands at the base of the blade, swollen at the base. Flowers nocturnal, solitary or in simple dichasial cymes, axillary; peduncles cylindrical, up to 7 cm long, with two bracteoles in the upper middle portion. Calyx yellowish green, accrescent, the sepals unequal, 2-2.5 cm long, fleshy, concave, glabrous, the apex obtuse to rounded; corolla white, hypocrateriform, coriaceous, 5-7 cm long, the tube externally yellowish, internally with numerous transparent hairs and cardinal red fringes at the base, the limb 6-7 cm in diameter, with 5 obtuse lobes; stamens and stigmas not exserted. Capsules globose or depressed-globose, yellowish brown, 2.5-3 cm in diameter, with accrescent sepals, persistent at the base; seeds 4, obtusely angular, 1-1.2 cm long, brown, velvety, with a row of hairs along two angles.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year.

Status: Native, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2451; 4007; 4304; 6972; 9458; Britton, N.L. 5043; Fosberg, F.R. 52281; Liogier, A.H. 10799; Sargent, F.H. 3226; Sintenis, P. 1873.
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Ipomoea wrightii A. Gray, Syn. Fl. N. Amer. 2(1): 213. 1878.

Fig. 72. D-H

Synonym: Ipomoea pulchella sensu Griseb.

Herbaceous vine, annual, twining, climbing, or creeping, 3-4 m in length. Stems cylindrical, slender, glabrous, sometimes with minute spiniform projections. Leaves alternate, palmately compound; leaflets 5, lanceolate or oblonglanceolate, 1-4 cm long, glabrous, chartaceous, the apex acute, the base acuminate, the margins entire; upper surface sparsely punctate, with the midvein slightly prominent; lower surface pale green, with prominent venation, punctate or foveolate; petioles 2-6 cm long, slender, glabrous, with minute spiniform projections. Flowers usually solitary, axillary; peduncles 2-4 cm long, filiform, sinuate or spirally twisted; pedicels thick, claviform, 0.6-1.5 cm long, usually verrucose on the upper portion; bracts deltate, ca. 1 mm long. Calyx light green, not accrescent, the sepals equal, 5-7 mm long, ovate, glabrous, verrucose, the apex obtuse or rounded and mucronate; corolla pale violet or purple, infundibuliform, 1.5-2 cm long, the limb 1.5-1.7 cm in diameter, with 5 obtuse lobes; stamens and stigmas not exserted. Capsule conical, 1-1.5 cm long, glabrous, the pericarp thin; seeds 4 per fruit, elongate, obtusely triangular, tomentulose, ca. 1 cm long.

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

Status: Apparently exotic, rare.

Selected Specimens Examined: Sintenis, P. 3619.
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Solanum lanceifolium Jacq., Collectanea 2: 286. 1788 [1789].

Fig. 155. A-D

Woody vine, scandent, that supports itself on the host plants by means of recurved spines and attains 2-6 m in length. Stems cylindrical, stellatepubescent, with few or numerous recurved spines, yellowish. Leaves alternate, 10-18 × 3.7-7 cm, lanceolate, ovate, or elliptical, chartaceous, the apex acute, obtuse, or acuminate, the base obtuse or rounded, asymmetrical, the margins entire; upper surface dull, with some scattered stellate hairs, with the venation flat or slightly prominent; lower surface light green, dull, sparsely stellatepubescent, with prominent venation, the midvein with yellowish recurved spines; petioles stellatepubescent, 1-5 cm long, usually with recurved spines. Flowers in lateral racemes, 2-4 cm long, stellate-pubescent; pedicels stellate-pubescent, 1.5-1.7 cm long. Calyx green, campanulate, stellate-pubescent, 4.5-5 mm long, of 5 subulate sepals; corolla white, deeply lobate, stellatepubescent on the outer surface, the tube ca. 1.5 mm long, the lobes 8-11 mm long, oblong, oblonglanceolate, or ovate, expanded or slightly reflexed; anthers subulate, connivent, 6.2-6.5 mm long, yellow; style projecting beyond the anthers, the stigma capitate. Berry globose, fleshy, brilliant red or orange when ripe, 0.9-1.3 cm in diameter, glabrous. Seeds numerous, circular, flattened, yellowish, 3.2-3.5 mm in diameter.

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

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 906; 1857; 2417; 2848; 4112; 5108.
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Jacquemontia tamnifolia (L.) Griseb., Fl. Brit. W. I. 5: 474. 1862.

Fig. 74. I-K

Basionym: Ipomoea tamnifolia L.

Synonym: Thyella tamnifolia (L.)Raf.

Slightly woody vine, twining, climbing, or creeping, attaining 5 m in length, with watery latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, hirsute or glabrescent, with malpighiaceous or simple hairs. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 3-10 × 1.5-3.7 cm, ovate, chartaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base truncate to cordiform, the margins entire or sinuate; upper surface green, punctate; lower surface pale green, with prominent venation; petioles slender, pubescent or glabrous, 1-4 cm long. Flowers in compact cymes, forming a head; peduncles longer than the petioles; bracts foliaceous, ovate, ca. 2.5 cm long, forming an involucre. Calyx green, the sepals lanceolate, 10-15 mm long, hirsute, acuminate at the apex; corolla white, turning lavender or pale blue, infundibuliform, as long as the sepals; stamens and stigmas white, not exserted. Capsules globose, 4-5 mm long, light brown, glabrous, with the sepals persistent at the base; seeds obtusely triangular, ca. 2 mm long, light brown, glabrous.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from November to February.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7024; Axelrod, F. 10844; Britton, N.L. 4011; Goll, G.P. 176; Heller, A.A. 4400; 6437; Howard, R.A. 17306; Sintenis, P. 692; Stevenson, J.A. 271; 529.
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Merremia dissecta (Jacq.) H. Hallier, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 16: 552. 1893.

Fig. 75. H-K

Basionym: Convolvulus dissectus Jacq.

Slightly woody vine, twining, much branched, 2-5 m in length, with scarce milky or watery latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, striate, hirsute when young, glabrous when mature. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 4-7 × 1.2-3 cm, 7-9-palmatilobed, divided almost to the base, chartaceous, glabrous, the lobes sinuate to sinuate-dentate, lanceolate or elliptical in outline, acuminate and mucronate toward the apex, the lower lobes sometimes again lobate; petioles slender, pilose or glabrous, 2.5-4 cm long. Flowers solitary or occasionally in cymes; peduncles as long as the petioles; bracts deciduous. Calyx green, the sepals unequal, 2-2.2 cm long, lanceolate to rounded, glabrous, hyaline; corolla white, with the center reddish, infundibuliform, 3-4 cm long, the tube light yellow, the limb pentagonal, 3.5-4 cm in diameter; stamens and stigmas yellow, not exserted. Capsules depressed-globose, 1-1.5 cm wide, opening by 4 hyaline valves, brown, glabrous, with accrescent sepals, ca. 3 cm long, persistent; seeds obtusely and asymmetrically pyramidal, 5-7 mm long, dull black, glabrous.

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

Status: Native, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 691; 1987; 5413; 7006; 7012; 11373; 11461; Cowles, H.T. 205; Webster, G.L. 8984.
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Merremia tuberosa (L.) Rendle in Dyer, Fl. Trop. Afr. 4: 104. 1905.

Fig. 76. E-G

Basionym: Ipomoea tuberosa L.

Woody vine, climbing, twining, 10-15 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems thick, cylindrical, glabrous. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 7-12 × 6-11 cm, 7-palmatilobed, the lobes elliptical, long-acuminate at the apex, the base cordiform, the margins revolute, slightly sinuate; upper surface dark green, slightly shiny, glabrous, with the venation sunken; lower surface pale green, dull, glabrous or puberulous, with the venation yellowish, prominent; petioles as long as the blade, cylindrical, glabrous or puberulous. Flowers functionally unisexual, solitary or in simple dichasia. Calyx yellowish green, the sepals unequal, 2-3 cm long, fleshy, accrescent and woody once the fruit is formed; corolla yellow, infundibuliform, 4-5 cm long, the limb 4-5 cm in diameter; stamens exserted, the anthers white; stigma bilobed, green, exserted. Capsules ovoid, opening irregularly, 1.5-2.5 cm long, light brown, with the sepals persistent and accrescent at the base; seeds 4 per fruit, black, obtusely trigonal, 1-1.5 cm long, velvety.

Phenology: Flowering from October to December and fruiting from November to March.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 5352; Liogier, A.H. 31166.
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Merremia umbellata (L.) H. Hallier, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 16: 552. 1893.

Fig. 76. H-L

Basionym: Convolvulus umbellatus L.

Synonym: Ipomoea polyanthes Willd. exRoem. & Schult.

Slightly woody vine, climbing or creeping, twining, attaining 5 m in length, with scarce milky latex. Stems slender, cylindrical, glabrous or pubescent, green or copper-colored, with a pair of spiniform projections at the nodes. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 4-17 × 5-12 cm, ovate or lanceolate, chartaceous, glabrous, the apex obtuse, acute, or short-acuminate and mucronate, the base cordiform or sagittate, the margins undulate; upper surface yellowish green, dull, glabrous, with the venation sunken, covered with minute white hairs; lower surface glabrous, with the veins puberulous; petioles cylindrical, usually longer than the blade, pubescent. Flowers in umbelliform cymes, axillary; peduncles shorter than the petioles, angular or cylindrical, puberulous, sometimes with winged projections; pedicels ca. 2 cm long, puberulous. Calyx green, the sepals unequal, 1-1.5 cm long, glabrous, overlapping, ovate or rounded; corolla brilliant yellow, infundibuliform, 2.5-3 cm long, the limb ca. 3 cm in diameter, with obtuse lobes; stamens white, not exserted; stigmas greenish, slightly exserted. Capsule globose, 4-valvate, ca. 1 cm long, brown, covered by the persistent sepals; seeds obtusely trigonal, 5-8 mm long, brown, velvety, with a line of longer hairs on two of the margins.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from November to April and sometimes later in the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2467; 2472; 4019; 4103; 5402; 6991; Britton, N.L. 10050; Goll, G.P. 499; Sargent, F.H. 90; Shafer, J.A. 2884; Sintenis, P. 829; Stevenson, J.A. 1148.
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Merremia quinquefolia (L.) H. Hallier, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 16: 552. 1893.

Fig. 76. A-D

Synonym: Ipomoea quinquefolia L.

Herbaceous vine, creeping or climbing, twining, 2-3 m in length, with scarce watery latex. Stems slender, cylindrical, sparsely hirsute or glabrous, sometimes with a reddish or mulberrycolored tonality. Leaves alternate, (3-)5-palmately compound, chartaceous; leaflets 2-7 × 0.5-1.2 cm, elliptical or lanceolate, glabrous, the apex acuminate, mucronate, the base acute and sessile, the margins serrate; upper surface green, dull, glabrous, with the venation sunken; lower surface pale green, dull, glabrous, with prominent venation; petioles slender, 1-3 cm long, hispid or glabrous. Flowers solitary or in simple dichasia; peduncles as long as the petioles, glandularpubescent; pedicels slender, 8-15 mm long; bracts minute. Calyx green, the sepals unequal, ca. 1 cm long, glabrous, oblong, the apex obtuse; corolla pale yellow or white, infundibuliform, 2-2.2 cm long, the limb with obtuse lobes, slightly reflexed; stamens and stigmas pale yellow, not exserted. Capsules depressed-globose, opening by 4 valves, 0.7-1 cm long, light brown, glabrous; seeds obtusely trigonal, 3-4.5 mm long, black, covered with whitish lanate hairs.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year, especially from November to May.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 690; 2296; 3081; 3895; 5342; 7019; Garcia, J. Goll, G.P. 520; Liogier, A.H. 10808.
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Turbina corymbosa (L.) Raf., Fl. Tellur. 11: 81. 1838.

Fig. 2. D; 79. A-G

Basionym: Convolvulus corymbosus L.

Synonym: Rivea corymbosa (L.) H. Hallier

Woody vine, twining, much branched from the base, attaining 10 m or more in length, with scarce watery latex. Stems glabrous or pubescent, cylindrical when young, compressed, angular, or sulcate when mature, up to 3 cm in diameter, the bark grayish, with numerous dark lenticels; cross section of the stem polystelic, with peripheral vascular cylinders of different diameters. Leaves alternate; blades 3-10 × 2.7-5.5 cm, ovate, chartaceous, the apex acute, short-acuminate, or acuminate, the base cordiform, the margins entire, slightly undulate; upper surface dark green, slightly shiny, glabrous, the venation flat; lower surface pale green, dull, glabrous or puberulous, with a prominent midvein; petioles 1.5-6 cm long, slender, cylindrical, glabrous. Flowers numerous in axillary corymbs. Calyx green, the sepals oblong, 10-12 mm long, coriaceous, acute at the apex; corolla 2.5-3 cm long, white, infundibuliform, the tube yellow internally, except for the dark violet base, the limb with 5 yellowish bands forming a stellate design; stamens white, not exserted, the anthers sagittate; stigmas white, globose, not exserted. Fruits indehiscent, ellipsoid to subovoid, crustaceous, 1-1.5 cm long, the sepals persistent, unequal, accrescent, woody. Seed one, ellipsoid to subglobose, 4-5 mm long, minutely pubescent, light brown.

Phenology: Flowering from the end of October to January and in May, and fruiting in January and February.

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 5239; 7241; 9391; 10774; Britton, N.L. 6013; Sargent, F.H. 109; Sintenis, P. 5800.
less ↑

Jacquemontia havanensis (Jacq.) Urb., Symb. Antill. 3: 342. 1902.

Fig. 73. G-I

Basionym: Convolvulus havanensis Jacq.

Synonym: Jacquemontia jamaicensis (Jacq.) H. Hallier ex Soler.

Slightly woody vine, twining, attaining 2 m in length, without milky latex. Stem branched from the base, slender, cylindrical, densely covered with white, stellate hairs. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 1.5-5 × 0.5-1.5 cm, lanceolate, oblong, ovate, or linear, coriaceous, sparsely stellate-pubescent, the apex obtuse and mucronate, the base truncate or rounded, usually unequal, the margins revolute; upper surface with the venation sunken; lower surface with prominent venation; petioles slender, 6-12 mm long, slightly compressed, stellate-pubescent. Flowers in compound dichasial cymes, axillary, shorter than the leaves. Calyx green, crateriform, the sepals unequal, 4-5 mm long, puberulous, ovate to oblanceolate, the apex apiculate; corolla white, sometimes with a pink tinge at the margins, infundibuliform, 1-1.3 cm long, the limb with deep, obtuse lobes; stamens and stigmas white, slightly exserted. Capsules ovoid or ellipsoid, 5- 6 mm long, with the sepals persistent at the base; seeds triangular, 2-2.3 mm long, brown, glabrous, with a short marginal wing, membranaceous.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting almost throughout the year, particularly from November to March.

Status: Native, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2348; 4077; 4177; 4392; 5294; 7007; 7142; 7220; 7763; 7770; 7896; 10797; 10965; 11011; 11026; 11077; Axelrod, F. 9448; Britton, N.L. 217; 4696; 4988; Heller, A.A. 6425; Johnston, J.R. 737; Liogier, A.H. 10638; 1565; Sargent, F.H. 167; Shafer, J.A. 2815; Sintenis, P. 3453; Stevenson, J.A. 1244.
less ↑

Ipomoea meyeri (Spreng.) G. Don, Gen. Syst. 4: 275. 1838.

Fig. 67. A-E

Basionym: Convolvulus meyeri Spreng.

Herbaceous vine, twining, 3-5 m in length. Stems slender, glabrous or pubescent, cylindrical, with scarce milky latex. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 4-9.5 × 3-7 cm, ovate, broadly ovate, deltate, lyrate, or trilobed, membranaceous, the apex and the lobes acute or acuminate, the base cordiform or sagittate, the margins entire; upper surface with the venation slightly prominent, strigose; lower surface with prominent venation, glabrous; petioles 2.5-6.5 cm long, slender, hirsute, especially at the apex. Flowers solitary, or 2 or 3 in axillary cymes, involucrate; peduncle 2-17 mm long, strigose to glabrescent; bracts of the involucre oblong, 1.5-2 cm long, sparsely hirsute. Calyx green, accrescent, the sepals unequal, 1.2-1.7 cm long, lanceolate, hirsute, especially near the base, long-acuminate at the apex; corolla pale blue, pale violet, or whitish, with the center white, infundibuliform, 1.5-3 cm long, the limb 2.5-3 cm in diameter, with 5 rounded lobes; stamens and stigmas not exserted. Capsules globose, ca. 8 mm in diameter, with the sepals persistent, erect, and accrescent; seeds 4 per capsule, reddish brown, elliptic-cuneiform, ca. 5 mm long, finely pubescent.

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

Status: Native, locally common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Goll, G.P. 745; Heller, A.A. 6225; Sintenis, P. 5533.
less ↑

Ipomoea triloba L., Sp. Pl. 161. 1753.

Fig. 72. A-C

Herbaceous vine, twining or creeping, 2-3 m in length, with scarce milky latex. Stems green, cylindrical, smooth, slender, puberulous. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 3-6 (9) × 3-5 (6.5) cm, ovate to subcircular, usually 3-5-lobed, chartaceous, the apex mucronate, acute, or emarginate, the base cordiform or sagittate, the margins smooth, slightly revolute; upper surface with minute hairs on the veins; lower surface glabrous, with prominent venation; petioles glabrous, somewhat sulcate, 2-4 cm long, with two glandular depressions where they join the blade. Flowers in simple or compound dichasial cymes, axillary; peduncles longer than the petioles, quadrangular, pubescent, tuberculate. Calyx green, not accrescent, the sepals pilose, subequal, ca. 8 mm long, ovate to oblanceolate, the apex acuminate or acute; corolla violet-pink or lavender, usually reddish at the base in the center, infundibuliform or campanulate, 1.4-1.6 cm long, the limb ca. 1 cm in diameter; stamens sagittate, white, two of them shorter, not exserted; stigmas globose, white, not exserted. Capsule depressed-globose, brown, ca. 8 mm in diameter, pilose, with the style persistent; seeds 4 per fruit, 3-5 mm long, glabrous, dark brown to black.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Commentary: In the absence of the corolla, this species can be confused with I. tiliacea in individuals with relatively large and unlobed leaves. Nevertheless, I. triloba is distinguished by having pilose sepals, while those of I. tiliacea are glabrous.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2056; 2314; 3079; 3099; 4200; 5399; 7218; Axelrod, F. 10827; Britton, N.L. 1663; 4975; 6060; Goll, G.P. 797; 800; Heller, A.A. 494; 6222; Prey, N. 51; H. Shafer, J.A. 2851; 3042; Sintenis, P. 827; 3215; 3454; Stevenson, J.A. 2482.
less ↑

Ipomoea setifera Poir. in Lam., Encycl. 6: 17. 1804.

Fig. 70. A-B

Synonym: Ipomoea rubra (Vahl) Millsp.

Herbaceous vine, twining, climbing, or creeping, attaining 12 m or more in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, pilose, sometimes with a pink tinge, usually with numerous aerial roots where they enter in contact with the soil. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 4.5-16 (24) × 2.7-6.4, glabrous, chartaceous, oblong or ovate, the apex obtuse, retuse and mucronate, the base cordiform or hastate, the margins revolute, undulate, usually with a pink or purple tinge; upper surface dark green with the midvein slightly prominent; lower surface pale green, minutely punctate, with prominent venation, conspicuously reddish; petioles 10-21 cm long, slender, glabrous, sulcate, usually reddish. Flowers in compound dichasial cymes, axillary; peduncle thick, shorter than the petioles; bracts ovate, 1.5-2 cm long. Calyx light green, crateriform, the sepals ovate, unequal, 12-17 mm long, with 3 parallel veins and prominent like a keel, the apex acuminate, the outer sepals longer than the inner ones; corolla violet-pink with the center darker, infundibuliform, 4-7 cm long, the limb 4-5 cm in diameter, with 5 rounded lobes; stamens pink, not exserted; stigmas pink, exserted. Capsule ovoid, ca. 1 cm in diameter, the pericarp thin, covered by the persistent sepals at the base; seeds 4 per fruit, with two sides flat and one convex, ca. 6 mm long, dark brown to black, tomentulose.

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

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3094; 3764; 5433; Britton, N.L. 1392; 1506; 9428; Fisher, M.J. 7; Goll, G.P. 251; 843; Heller, A.A. 376; 6364; Sargent, F.H. 108; Sintenis, P. 963; Stevenson, J.A. 291; 698.
less ↑

Ipomoea tricolor Cav., Icon. 3: 5, t. 208.

Fig. 71. I-K

Herbaceous vine, twining or creeping, attaining 5 m in length, without milky latex. Stems glabrous, cylindrical, slender. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 5-12 × 4-14 cm, ovate, chartaceous, the apex acuminate and mucronate, the base deeply cordiform, the margins entire; upper and lower surface glabrous, minutely punctate, with the venation slightly prominent; petioles 2.5-10 cm long, glabrous. Flowers in simple or double dichasia, axillary; peduncle as long as or shorter than the petioles. Calyx green, not accrescent, sepals equal, 6-8 mm long, lanceolate, glabrous, obtuse at the apex, with the margin hyaline; corolla blue, turning violet when mature, infundibuliform, 6-7 cm long, the tube white outside and yellow inside, the limb with 5 rounded lobes; stamens and stigmas white, not exserted. Capsule conical, 1.3-1.6 cm long, light brown; seeds 4 per fruit, glabrous, black, dull, 9-10 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering from November to February.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3119.
less ↑

Aniseia martinicensis (Jacq.) Choisy, Mém. Soc. Hist. Nat. Genève 8: 66. 1837.

Fig. 63. A-D

Basionym: Convolvulus martinicensis Jacq.

Herbaceous vine, twining, climbing, or creeping, 2-4 m in length. Stems glabrous or puberulous when young, with watery latex. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 4-9 × 2.4-3.7 cm, narrowly lanceolate, elliptical, or oblanceolate, membranaceous, the apex obtuse and mucronate, the base obtuse, acute, or attenuate, the margins entire or crenate; upper surface dull, glabrous, granular, with the midvein slightly prominent; lower surface pale green, glabrous, dull, with the venation slightly prominent and puberulous; petioles puberulous, slender, 1-2 cm long. Flowers solitary, axillary; peduncles 3-5 cm long, with a pair of minute bracteoles on the distal portion; pedicel ca. 1 cm long. Calyx green, of 5 unequal sepals, ovate, acuminate, the two outer ones 12-17 mm long, broader than the 3 inner ones; corolla white, campanulate, 2.5-3 cm long; stamens not exserted. Capsules 4-valvate, ovoid, 1.3-1.5 cm long, partially covered by the accrescent sepals; seeds dark brown to almost black, ca. 6.5 cm long, with two sides flat and one convex, sparsely covered with minute, squamose hairs, especially on the angles.

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

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Axelrod, F. 9936; Liogier, A.H. 31343; 37389; 37405.
less ↑

Argyreia nervosa (Burm. f.) Bojer, Hort. Maurit. 224. 1837.

Fig. 63. E-F

Basionym: Convolvulus nervosus Burm. f.

Synonyms: Rivea nervosa (Burm. f.) H. Hallier

Argyreia speciosa (L.f.) Sweet

Twining liana, without latex, attaining more than 5 m in length. Stems cylindrical, densely canescent when young, becoming glabrous when mature. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 12-22(27) × 8.5-20 cm, cordiform, coriaceous, the apex obtuse to rounded, sometimes mucronate, the base cordiform, the margins entire; upper surface dark, dull, glabrous, with the venation slightly sunken; lower surface densely canescent, with the pinnate venation prominent; petioles 5-15 cm long, densely canescent. Flowers few, in axillary simple or double dichasial cymes; bracts foliaceous, ovate, acuminate, 2-5 cm long, canescent on the lower surface, forming an involucre at the base of the dichasia; peduncles densely canescent, up to 15 cm long. Calyx crateriform, canescent, accrescent, of 5 ovate sepals, obtuse, mucronate, 1.5-2 cm long; corolla lavender, dark violet in the throat, infundibuliform, 6-6.5 cm long, canescent outside, the limb with 5 slightly prominent, rounded lobes; stamens and style not exserted. Indehiscent fruits ovoid, 1-1.5 cm long, puberulous, the pericarp thick, subtended by the subwoody, persistent sepals, slightly shorter than the fruit; seeds light brown, ca. 5 mm long, densely appressed short-pubescent, with two sides flat and one convex, the hilum forming a navel.

Phenology: Flowering from April to August, collected in fruit in November.

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

Selected Specimens Examined: Sargent, F.H. 754.
less ↑

Ipomoea hederifolia L., Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 925. 1759.

Fig. 65. F-H

Synonym: Quamoclit coccinea sensu Urb.

Twining vine, slightly woody, attaining 5 m in length, with watery latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, glabrous. Leaves alternate; blades 4-13 × 4.5-11 cm, ovate or deeply 3-5-lobed, chartaceous, glabrous, the apex of the lobes acuminate, the base cordiform or sagittate; upper surface dark green, dull, glabrous, punctate, with the veins slightly prominent; lower surface pale green, with the primary and secondary veins prominent; petioles 4.5-9 cm long, glabrous, slender. Flowers in dichasial cymes with one-sided racemose branches. Calyx pale green, not accrescent, the sepals 5-8 mm long, lanceolate, aristate at the apex; corolla hypocrateriform, bright red or red-orange, 4-4.5 cm long, the limb ca. 2.5 cm in diameter, with 5 obtuse lobes, shallow; stamens and stigmas white or pink, exserted. Capsules globose, ca. 8 mm in diameter, the pericarp thin; seeds 4 per fruit, light brown, ca. 5 mm long, pubescent.

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

Status: Apparently native, moderately common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2347; 3031; 3082; 3101; Eggers, B. 172; Fosberg, F.R. 59368; Ricksecker, A.E. 144; Stevenson, J.A. 5112; Rose, J.N. 3214.
less ↑

Ipomoea microdactyla Griseb., Cat. Pl. Cub. 204. 1866.

Fig. 67. F-J

Synonyms: Exogonium microdactylum (Griseb.) House

Ipomoea repanda var. microdactyla (Griseb.) Powell

Herbaceous vine, twining, 1.5-2 m in length, without latex. Stems slender, cylindrical, glabrous, with spinescent projections on the more mature portions. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 3-10 cm long, glabrous, ovate, lanceolate, or deeply 3-7- lobed, the apex and the lobes obtuse to acuminate, mucronate, the base cordiform, cuneate or truncate, the margins undulate; upper surface with the venation flat; lower surface punctate or foveolate, with prominent venation; petioles 1.5-4.5 cm long, slender, glabrous. Flowers 2-3, in axillary cymes; peduncles 0.8-4.5 cm long. Calyx pink, the sepals unequal, 4.5-7 mm long, rounded, glabrous, with the margins hyaline; corolla bright pink, hypocrateriform, 3-4.5 cm long, the limb with 5 ovate lobes, obtuse, expanded; stamens and stigmas exserted. Capsules conical, stramineous, 1-1.5 cm long, apiculate; seeds 4 per capsule, reddish brown, 5-6 mm long, with two sides flat and one convex, with a row of silky hairs longer than the seed at the margins and the apex.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, uncommon.
less ↑

Ipomoea nil (L.) Roth, Catal. Bot. 1: 36. 1797.

Fig. 67. K-O

Basionym: Convolvulus nil L.

Twining vine, attaining 5 m in length, with scarce watery latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, strigose. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 4.5-13.3 × 5.7-15 cm, chartaceous, strigose, deeply trilobed, the lobes ovate or lanceolate, acuminate at the apex, the base cordiform, sagittate, or deeply cordiform; upper and lower surface with the veins slightly prominent; petioles 2-8 cm long, strigose. Flowers solitary or in simple dichasia, axillary; peduncles as long as the petioles or slightly shorter; bracts subulate, 4-5 mm long, not forming an involucre. Calyx green, not accrescent, of 5 equal sepals, 2-3 cm long, lanceolate, chartaceous, long-acuminate, externally strigose, hirsute outside on the basal portion; corolla pale blue, lavender, or purple with the center white, infundibuliform, 4-4.5 cm long, the limb with shallow, rounded lobes; stamens and stigmas white, not exserted. Capsule subglobose, ca. 5 mm long, the pericarp thin, color yellowish brown, glabrous, with the chartaceous sepals persistent at the base; seeds 4 per fruit, ca. 4 mm long, dark brown, finely pubescent.

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

Status: Exotic, naturalized.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2315; 3100; 3161; 5372; 7243; Heller, A.A. 6310; Shafer, J.A.d 1973; Sintenis, P. 2912; 3216.
less ↑

Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br. in Tuckey, Narr. Exped. Zaire 477. 1818.

Fig. 68. G-H

Basionym: Convolvulus pes-caprae L.

Vine, creeping or sometimes ascending, up to 10 m in length, with scarce milky latex. Stems cylindrical, glabrous, woody in the older portions, the young portions herbaceous, producing adventitious roots in the area of the nodes. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 6.5-12 × 4-7.3 cm, oblong, reniform to subrounded, coriaceous, glabrous, the apex emarginate and mucronate, the base rounded, cordiform, or truncate, the margins entire; upper surface with the veins flat, scarcely visible; lower surface with the veins slightly prominent; petioles 3-8 cm long, glabrous, thick, slightly compressed on the upper surface, swollen at the base. Flowers solitary or in simple dichasia, axillary; peduncles shorter than the petioles; bracts subulate, ca. 5 mm long. Calyx yellowish green, not accrescent, the sepals unequal, 1.2-1.4 cm long, coriaceous, ovate, the apex rounded and mucronate; corolla pink or lavender, infundibuliform, 4.5-5 cm long, the limb up to 6 cm in diameter, with 5 rounded lobes; stamens and stigmas not exserted. Capsule ovoid to globose, 1.5-1.8 cm long, light brown, with a thin pericarp and with the sepals persistent and reflexed at the base; seeds 4 per fruit, ca. 8 mm long, dark brown, pubescent, with two sides flat and one convex.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2052; 4380; 11057; Fosberg, F.R. 52279; Goll, G.P. 3; 957; Sargent, F.H. 107; Shafer, J.A. 2400; Sintenis, P. 86; Stevenson, J.A. 1688; Underwood, L.M. 924.
less ↑

Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Roth, Bot. Abh. 27. 1787.

Fig. 68. D-F

Basionym: Convolvulus purpureus L.

Herbaceous vine, twining, 2-3 m in length. Stems cylindrical, slender, pilose or hirsute. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 2-10 × 2-10 cm, cordiform or deeply trilobed, the lobes ovate or lanceolate, chartaceous, strigulose on both surfaces, the apex acuminate, the base cordiform, the margins entire or slightly sinuate, ciliate; upper and lower surface with the veins slightly prominent; petioles 2.5-6 cm long, slender, strigulose, sulcate. Flowers solitary or in simple dichasia, axillary; peduncles longer than the petioles; bracts subulate, ca. 3 mm long, not forming an involucre. Calyx green, of 5 subequal sepals, 8-16 mm long, chartaceous, oblonglanceolate, the outer ones slightly broader than the inner ones, acute at the apex, hirsute outside on the basal portion; corolla blue, purple, pink, or with lines (forming a star) of these colors on a white background, infundibuliform, 4-4.5 cm long, the throat white, limb with shallow, rounded lobes; stamens and stigmas pink, not exserted. Capsule depressed-globose, 9-10 mm in diameter, glabrous, the pericarp thin, with the chartaceous sepals persistent at the base; seeds 4 per fruit, pyriform, 3-4 mm long, black, glabrous.

Phenology: Flowering from June to January.

Status: Exotic, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Heller, A.A. 1410.
less ↑

Ipomoea quamoclit L., Sp. Pl. 159. 1753.

Fig. 69. A-B

Herbaceous vine, twining, 2-7 m in length, with watery latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, glabrous. Leaves alternate or clustered on short axillary branches; blades deeply pinnatisect, ovate or elliptical in outline, with 9-19 pairs of linear segments, alternate or opposite, 1-9 cm long, chartaceous, puberulous or glabrous; petioles not evident. Flowers solitary or 2-6 in cymes; peduncles as long as or longer than the leaves; bracts ovate, ca. 1 mm long. Calyx green, not accrescent, of 5 unequal sepals, 4-7 mm long, chartaceous, ovate, the outer ones shorter than the inner ones, glabrous, obtuse at the apex, with a mucro that is borne below the apex; corolla red (sometimes white), hypocrateriform, 2-3 cm long, the limb with deep lobes, deltate, obtuse; stamens and stigmas pink, exserted. Capsule ovoid to conical, with a thin pericarp, lepidote outside, 8-10 mm long; seeds 4 per fruit, cuneiform, 7-8 mm long, dark brown to black, with tufts of irregularly scattered hairs.

Phenology: Flowering from August to February, collected in fruit in February.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Britton, N.L. 7888; Goll, G.P. 41; Underwood, L.M. 145.
less ↑

Ipomoea tenuissima Choisy ex Dc., Prodr. 9: 376. 1845.

Fig. 71. A-C

Herbaceous vine, twining, attaining 1 m in length. Stems cylindrical, slender, glabrous or puberulous. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 2-6 × 0.3-1(2) cm, membranaceous, glabrous, lanceolate, the apex obtuse, mucronate, the base hastate or auriculate, the margins entire; upper and lower surface with the veins slightly prominent; lower surface punctate; petioles 1-2.2 cm long, slender, glabrous. Flowers solitary or rarely in pairs, axillary; peduncles as long as or slightly longer than the petioles; bracts subulate, ca. 2.5 mm long. Calyx green, not accrescent, of 5 subequal sepals, 6-7 mm long, chartaceous, elliptical, obtuse and aristate at the apex, ciliate at the basal margins, the midvein slightly prominent; corolla violet-pink, infundibuliform, ca. 3 cm long, the limb with shallow, rounded lobes; stamens and stigmas not exserted. Capsule ovoid-conical, ca. 5 mm long, glabrous, with a thin pericarp and with the chartaceous sepals persistent at the base; seeds 4 per fruit, cuneiform, ca. 3.7 × 2.5 mm, dark brown, finely pubescent at the margins.

Phenology: Collected in flower in May.

Status: Probably exotic.
less ↑

Ipomoea alba L., Sp. Pl. 161. 1753.

Fig. 64. A-E

Synonyms: Calonyction aculeatum (L.) House

Calonyction bona-nox (L.) Bojer

Twining vine, slightly woody, climbing or creeping, 5-20 m in length, with scarce milky or watery latex. Stems cylindrical, slender, fragile, glabrous, green, with the nodes mulberry-colored and with spiniform projections. Leaves alternate; blades simple or sometimes 3-5-lobed, 7-18 × 8-16 cm, broadly ovate, chartaceous or subcoriaceous, glabrous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base cordiform, the margins undulate and slightly revolute, entire or 3-7-lobate; upper surface dark green, dull; lower surface pale green, with prominent venation; petioles 6-24 cm long, fragile, usually mulberrycolored, with the base somewhat broadened. Flowers fragrant, nocturnal, solitary or few in axillary racemes; peduncle cylindrical, 4-15 cm long. Calyx green, the sepals 2.5-3 cm long, lanceolate, long-aristate and revolute at the apex; corolla white, hypocrateriform, 10-12 cm long, the tube narrow, light green inside, the limb 5-lobed, 9-12 cm in diameter, with 5 light green lines outside forming a star; stamens and stigmas white, exserted. Capsules ovoid-conical, 2-3 cm long, with a persistent style; seeds 4, dark brown to black, glabrous, ca. 1 cm long, with two sides flat and one convex.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting sporadically throughout the year.

Status: Possibly native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7918; 10531; 10791; Cowell, J.F. 788; Goll, G.P. 154; Heller, A.A. 375; Sargent, F.H. 336; Sintenis, P. 446; Stevenson, J.A. 1160.
less ↑

Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam., Encycl. Méth. 6: 14. 1804.

Fig. 64. F-G

Basionym: Convolvulus batatas L.

Creeping vine, with the younger portions twining and ascending, 3-4 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Roots tuberous, edible. Stems cylindrical, slender, flexible, glabrous or pubescent, usually producing aerial roots in the area of the nodes. Leaves alternate; blades simple or 3-7-lobed, 6-13 × 6-10 cm, when simple broadly ovate, deltoid, chartaceous, glabrous, the apex acute, obtuse, or acuminate, mucronulate, the base cordiform, lyrate, or truncate, the margins entire; upper surface dark green, dull; lower surface pale green, with prominent venation; petioles 5-12 cm long, glabrous. Flowers few, in axillary dichasial cymes; peduncle cylindrical, 7-12 cm long. Calyx green, not accrescent, the sepals oblong, unequal, 8-12 mm long, aristate at the apex; corolla violet-pink, infundibuliformcampanulate, 3-4.5 cm long, the limb ca. 4 cm in diameter, with 5 rounded lobes; stamens and stigmas not exserted. Capsules depressed-globose, ca. 5 mm long, pilose; seeds black, dull, puberulous, ca. 3.5 mm long, with two sides flat and one convex.

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

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Goll, G.P. 590; 1062; Prey, N. 42; Stevenson, J.A. 2230; Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3243; Stevenson, J.A. 2468.
less ↑

Cuscuta americana L., Sp. Pl. 124. 1753.

Fig. 89. A-H

Herbaceous parasitic vine, attaining 5 m in length, with numerous lateral twining branches that adhere by means of haustoria. Stems yelloworange, cylindrical, smooth, glabrous, 1.5-2.5 mm in diameter. Leaves vestigial, 1-2 mm long, yellowish, in the form of scales. Flowers bisexual, sessile, in short axillary cymes. Calyx crateriform, whitish, membranaceous, 2.3-2.5 mm long, with 5 minute lobes; corolla whitish, crateriform to tubular, ca. 2.3 mm long, with 5 minute and rounded lobes; stamens 5, adnate to the upper portion of the corolla tube, the filaments with a scalloped scale at the base; ovary depressedglobose. Capsule thin-walled, 1.5-2 mm long, opening longitudinally in the area between the two styles. Seed one or rarely two per fruit, subglobose or lenticular, ca. 1.5 mm long, smooth, light brown.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 775; 1840; 2453; 2466; 2569; 2751; 3774; 4048; 4190; 7071; 11045; 11068.
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Solanum seaforthianum Andr., Bot. Repos. 8, t. 504. 1807.

Fig. 155. E-I

Slightly woody vine, scandent, attainig 3-6 m in length. Stems more or less cylindrical, puberulent, glabrescent, unarmed. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate, 5-7(9)-pinnately compound, 5-7(9)-pinnatilobed, or less frequently simple, 4.5-9(14) × 2.6-10 cm, membranaceous; leaflets or segments elliptical or oblong-elliptical, the apex acute or acuminate, the base obtuse to almost cordiform, asymmetrical, the margins entire; upper surface dull, appressed-puberulent; lower surface light green, dull, appressed-puberulent, especially on the prominent venation; petioles appressed-puberulent, 2-6.5 cm long, slender. Flowers in terminal panicles but appearing lateral (sympodial by apposition), 6-23 cm long, puberulent; pedicels glabrous or puberulent, 8-12 mm long. Calyx green, 1-1.5 mm long, shortconical but attenuate toward the pedicel, glabrous or puberulent, almost truncate or with 5 very short lobes, obtuse; corolla lavender (rarely white), deeply lobate, the lobes 5-12 mm long, oblong or almost elliptical, expanded; anthers oblong, 3-4 mm long, not connivent, the filaments slightly unequal; style projecting beyond the anthers, the stigma capitate. Berry globose, fleshy, crimson, 9-16 mm in diameter. Seeds numerous, circular, flattened, ca. 3 mm in diameter.

Phenology: Flowering almost throughout the year, collected in fruit in January, February, and June.

Status: Exotic, cultivated as an ornamental and naturalized, although not very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 11476; Barker, E.E. 7859; Britton, N.L. 9867; Liogier, A.H. 29782; 34137; 36499; Santiago-Blay, J.A. s.n.; Stevenson, J.A. 1829; Woodbury, R.O. s.n.
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Convolvulus nodiflorus Desr. in Lam., Encycl. 3: 557. 1792.

Fig. 63. G-K

Synonyms: Jacquemontia nodiflora (Desr.) G. Don

Convolvulus albiflorus Vahl

Slightly woody vine, twining, attaining 5 m in length. Stems cylindrical, tomentose, with white or golden hairs, trifurcate, producing watery latex. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 2-4.5 × 1-3 cm, lanceolate, ovate, elliptical, or rounded, chartaceous, the apex obtuse, acute, acuminate, or retuse, usually mucronate, the base rounded, truncate, or cordiform, the margins entire; upper surface dull, with the midvein slightly prominent, sparsely covered with 2- or 3-fid trichomes; lower surface densely pubescent with white or golden, bi- or trifid hairs, with the pinnate venation prominent; petioles slender, 0.5-1.5 cm long. Flowers few, in axillary cymes; peduncle densely tomentose, up to ca. 1 cm long. Calyx light green, crateriform, sepals ovate, equal, not accrescent, 3-3.5 mm long, rounded at the apex; corolla white, infundibuliform, 1.2-1.5 cm long, the limb with 5 obtuse lobes; stamens white, the filaments 8-10 mm long; ovary white, the stigmas exserted. Capsules ovoid, ca. 5 mm long, the pericarp thin, light brown; seeds brown, ca. 3 mm long, with 2 sides flat and one convex, puberulous.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from October to April.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2274; 2378; 2761; 3165; 3960; 4000; 5362; 6188; 7008; 7870; 10171; Britton, N.L. 28; 1577; 1802; Goll, G.P. 514; 570; Heller, A.A. 877; 6060; Sargent, F.H. 148; 207; Shafer, J.A. 2384; 2984; Sintenis, P. 2115; 2899; 3098.
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Solandra grandiflora Sw., Königl. Vet. Acad. Handl. 8: 300, t. 11. 1787.

Fig. 157. G-H

Woody vine, attainig 8-10 m in length. Stems cylindrical, glabrous, with numerous short lateral branches; bark gray, rugose in dried specimens, slightly lenticellate. Leaves alternate or congested at the end of short lateral branches, 6.5-14 × 3.2-7.3 cm, obovate, spathulate, or broadly elliptical, glabrous, coriaceous, the apex almost rounded, projecting in a short acumen, the base attenuate, the margins revolute, entire; upper surface shiny, with the venation flat; lower surface light green, with prominent venation; petioles glabrous, slender, 2-5.5 cm long. Flowers solitary, at the end of short lateral branches, pedicels glabrous, thick, not distinguishable from the calyx. Calyx green, tubular-campanulate, glabrous, 4-10 cm long, inflated-angular; corolla cyathiform, 14-23 cm long, greenish white or yellow, with several marron lines inside, the tubular portion shorter than or as long as the dilated portion, the limb with 5 sinuate lobes, more or less revolute; stamens as long as the corolla. Berry coriaceouswoody, depressed-ovoid, ca. 3 cm long, with the calyx split and persistent at the base.

Phenology: Collected in flower from October to December.

Status: Apparently exotic, cultivated and naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Liogier, A.H. 35677; Sintenis, P. 364.
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Ipomoea tiliacea (Willd.) Choisy in A.Dc., Prodr. 9: 375. 1845.

Fig. 71. D-H

Basionym: Convolvulus tiliaceus Willd.

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

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 524; 2468; 2650; 3763; 6207; 9306; 9332; 11230; Britton, N.L. 127; 1505; 1608; 5529; Heller, A.A. 971; 6341; Johnston, J.R. 873; Prey, N. 91; Shafer, J.A. 2449; Stevenson, J.A. 67; 292; Underwood, L.M. 127.
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Solanum pyrifolium Lam. was reported for Puerto Rico by Liogier (1995) based on one of his collections (Liogier 34137), from the area of the Cabezas de San Juan in Fajardo. This species is here excluded from the flora of Puerto Rico because his report is based on an erroneous identification of Solanum seaforthianum. Solanum pyrifolium is a species endemic to Hispaniola that is distinguished from S. seaforthianum by its 4-5 mm long calyx, with rounded lobes ca. 1 mm long (vs. calyx 1-1.5 mm long, truncate, with obtuse lobes 0.1-0.2 mm long) and by simple and entire leaves (vs. leaves trifoliolate, 5-7(9)-pinnately compound, 5-7(9)-pinnatilobed, or less frequently simple and entire). The specimen Liogier 34137 has almost all the leaves simple and entire, but a scrupulous examination reveals that it also has trifoliolate leaves. less ↑