Vines and Climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

Heteropterys laurifolia (L.) A. Juss., Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. Sér. 2. 13: 176. 1840.

Fig. 121. A-F

Basionym: Banisteria laurifolia L.

Vine or sometimes scandent shrub, woody, twining, attainig 5-10 m in length. Stems flexible, cylindrical, lenticellate, attaining 3.5 cm in diameter. Leaves opposite, 5-15(23.5) × 2-9(13.5) cm, coriaceous, glabrous, oblong or elliptical, the apex acuminate or rounded, the base acute, the margins undulate or entire; upper surface shiny, with the midvein prominent, yellowish green; lower surface yellowish green, with the midvein prominent; petioles 1-1.2 cm long, without glands. Inflorescences of panicles, terminal or axillary, the axes densely ferruginous-pubescent; pedicels ca. 7 mm, ferruginous-pubescent, articulated above the base; bracts ca. 2 mm long, at the base of the pedicel; bracteoles in pairs, minute, inserted on the articulation of the pedicel. Calyx green, ferruginous-pubescent, of 5 oblong sepals, ca. 4 mm long, 4 of them with a pair of glands at the base of the outer surface, which are 1.2-2 mm long. Petals 5, yellow, unguiculate, 4-7 mm long. Mericarps 3, ferruginous-tomentose in the seminiferous portion, glabrous toward the wing, 2-4 cm long, with a dorsal wing, curved, ascendent or divaricate.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common throughout Puerto Rico.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3072; 5231; 5232; 7080; 7157; 7230; 10197; 10840; Axelrod, F. 10757; 10904; Britton, N.L. 426; 1510; Hartley 13368; Heller, A.A. 1320; 4406; Proctor, G.R. 44917; Sargent, F.H. 421; Sintenis, P. 101; 1559; 1693; 3286; 3809; 5068; Stevenson, J.A. 2187; Underwood, L.M. 481; 618.
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Stigmaphyllon bannisterioides (L.) C. Anderson, Taxon 41: 328. 1992.

Fig. 122. A-C

Basionym: Malpighia bannisterioides L.

Synonyms: Banisteria ovata Cav.

Stigmaphyllon ovatum(Cav.) Niedenzu

Brachypterys ovata (Cav.) Small

Woody vine, twining, attainig 3-6 m in length. Stems cylindrical, sericeous when young. Leaves opposite, ovate, elliptical, or lanceolate, 4-12 × 1.5-5.5 cm, chartaceous, the apex acute, obtuse, or sometimes apiculate, the base attenuate, obtuse, or truncate, with a pair of annular glands in the area adjacent to the petiole, the margins entire; upper surface glabrous or glabrescent; lower surface sparsely sericeous; petiole slightly sulcate, sericeous, 0.4-1.8 cm long; stipules minute, triangular. Inflorescences of umbels with (3)4(6) flowers, axillary, solitary or in dichasial cymes, with a pair of broadly ovate leaves of reduced size at the base; peduncles 0.2-2.5 mm long; pedicels 15-30 mm long, cylindrical; bracteoles 0.8-1.6 mm long, ovate, elliptical, or triangular. Calyx of 5 ovate sepals, sericeous, ca. 3 mm long, four of them with a pair of elongate glands outside at the base. Petals yellow, rounded or obovate, unequal, 9-12 mm long, unguiculate; stamens unequal; styles equal or almost equal. Mericarps with the wing reduced to an apical crest, 4-9 mm long, the seminiferous portion with 4-6 ribs.

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

Status: Native, quite rare.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 9345.
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Passiflora quadrangularis L., Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 1248. 1759.

Fig. 135. A

Slightly woody or herbaceous vine, glabrous, attainig 3-5 m in length and climbs by means of axillary tendrils. Stems trigonal or quadrangular, the angles winged, becoming cylindrical when mature. Leaves alternate, glabrous, chartaceous or membranaceous, 10-20 × 8-15 cm, broadly elliptical or broadly ovate, not lobate, rounded toward the abruptly acuminate apex, the base rounded, subtruncate, or cordiform, the margins entire; lower surface with the pinnate venation prominent; petioles 2-5 cm long, thick, canaliculate, with three pairs of sessile glands; stipules ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 2-3.5 cm long; tendrils simple. Flowers solitary, pendulous, axillary, subtended by a persistent involucre of 3 ovate bracts, 3-5 cm long; peduncle 1.5-3 cm long, trigonal. Sepals ovate or oblong-ovate, 3-4 cm long, white, violet, or pink on the inner surface, green externally; petals oblong-ovate to oblonglanceolate, white with a pink tinge, 3-4.5 cm long; corona multiseriate, the segments filiform, as long as the sepals, with red-violet and white bands at the base, blue in the middle, and with numerous pink-blue spots above the middle; gynophore thick; stamens 5; ovary ovoid. Fruit a fleshy berry, oblong-ovoid, 20-30 × 12-15 mm, green, with three longitudinal furrows. Seeds numerous, cordiform or almost circular, 7-10 mm long, reticulate.

Phenology: Collected in flower from March to September.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 10558; Sargent, F.H. 595; Shafer, J.A. 3483; Sintenis, P. 1022; Stevenson, J.A. 6715; Underwood, L.M. 778.
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Passiflora foetida L., Sp. Pl. 959. 1753.

Fig. 133. J-K

Slightly woody vine, glandular-pubescent, attainig 5 m in length and climbs by means of axillary tendrils. Viscid glandular hairs with a strong disagreeable odor. Stems cylindrical, slightly striate, glandular-pubescent. Leaves alternate, chartaceous, usually trilobate, with the central lobe longer than the lateral ones, or less frequently simple, 5-12 × 5-10 cm, both surfaces pubescent, the lobes elliptical to ovate, with the apex acute or acuminate, the base cordiform or subcordiform, the margins crenate-serrate; petioles slender, pubescent, 2-5.5 cm long, pilose, eglandular; stipules ovate in outline, pinnatifid; tendrils pubescent, simple, 15 cm or more in length. Flowers axillary, solitary or clustered in pairs or threes, subtended by an involucre of three pinnatifid bracts, 2-3 cm long, glandular-viscid; pedicels 4-4.5 cm long, pubescent. Sepals 5, oblong, green, whitish on the inner surface, 2-2.5 cm long, mucronate at the apex; petals white, oblong, 2-2.5 cm long; corona multiseriate, the segments filiform, 15-17 mm long, the innermost series with a violet band at the base; gynophore cylindrical, green, with reddish spots, ca. 7 mm long; stamens 5; ovary ellipsoid, green, sparsely pilose, the styles pilose, the stigmas capitate. Fruit a coriaceous or papery berry, ovoid, 1.5-2.5 cm long, orange when ripe, covered by the persistent bracts. Seeds numerous, oblong, truncate at both ends, foveate, ca. 5 mm long, covered by a yellow aril.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 772; 1948; 5186; 5333; 11229; Axelrod, F. 5050; Boom, B. 8008; Britton, N.L. 2244; Goll, G.P. 393; Heller, A.A. 978; 1029; 6119; Johnston, J.R. 225; Liogier, A.H. 9805; Sargent, F.H. 193; 573; Sintenis, P. 810; Underwood, L.M. 113; 346.
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Passiflora edulis Sims, Bot. Mag. 45: t. 1989. 1818.

Fig. 133. A-G

Woody vine, glabrous, attainig 5-10 m in length and climbs by means of axillary tendrils. Stems cylindrical, attaining 2 cm in diameter. Leaves alternate, glabrous, coriaceous, 7-12 × 9-15 cm, deeply trilobate, the lobes oblong or elliptical, the apex acute, the base cordiform, the margins serrate; upper surface dark green, slightly shiny, with the venation yellowish; lower surface pale green, with prominent venation; petioles 3-6 cm long, with a pair of prominent sessile glands in the area where they join the blade; stipules filiform, ca. 5 mm long; tendrils simple. Flowers solitary, pendulous, axillary, subtended by an involucre of 3 ovate bracts, ca. 2 cm long; peduncle 4-6 cm long. Sepals oblong, green, whitish on the inner surface, 3-3.5 cm long; petals oblong, white on the inner surface, 2.5-3 cm long; corona with two series of appendages, with violet bands; gynophore green, ovoid, lobate, 5-7 mm long; stamens 5; ovary ellipsoid, green, the styles slightly reflexed, the stigmas capitate. Fruit ovoid, 5-7 cm long, yellow when ripe, the pericarp coriaceous, thick. Seeds numerous, black, elliptical, foveate, ca. 5 mm long, covered with a juicy orange matrix.

Phenology: Flowering from April to October and fruiting from June to December.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 834; 5164; Liogier, A.H. 10258; Stevenson, J.A. 6420.
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Passiflora multiflora L., Sp. Pl. 956. 1753.

Fig. 3F; 134. C-F

Slightly woody vine, tomentose, attainig 2-15 m in length and climbs by means of axillary tendrils. Stems cylindrical, with numerous lateral branches; mature stems sulcate; cross section with 4-lobate xylem. Leaves alternate, tomentose, chartaceous, 5-12 × 2-4 cm, oblong or lanceolate, not lobate, the apex rounded or obtuse, mucronate, the base obtuse or rounded, the margins entire, revolute; upper surface dull, pubescent; lower surface pale green, dull, pilose, with prominent venation; petioles 4-10 mm long, tomentose, with a pair of glands in the area where they join the blade; stipules filiform, 3-5 mm long; tendrils simple. Flowers in groups of 2-6, axillary, subtended by a minute subulate bract; peduncle 5-15 mm long, tomentose. Sepals elliptical, green, ca. 3.5 × 1.5 mm; petals linear, white, 3.5 × 0.8 mm; corona of numerous filiform segments, yellowish, ca. 2.5 mm long; gynophore cylindrical, broadened at the base, 0.7-0.8 mm long; stamens 5, yellowish; ovary ellipsoid, green, the stigmas capitate-bilobate, yellow. Fruit a fleshy berry, depressed-globose, 6-8 mm in diameter, glabrous, turning from green to purple when ripe. Seeds numerous, lenticular, rugose, ca. 2 mm long, light brown.

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

Status: Native, uncommon

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2484; 3857; 4002; 11650; 11704; Britton, N.L. 1426; 6787; 7118; Sintenis, P. 687; 6654; Stevenson, J.A. 1248.
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Passiflora sexflora Juss., Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris 6: 110, t. 37, f. 1. 1805.

Fig. 136. C-G.

Herbaceous vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 6 m in length. Stems slender, pubescent, almost cylindrical or angular, attaining 4 mm in diameter. Leaves alternate, simple, bilobate or less frequently with a third (short) lobe in a central position, 6-8(10) × 3.5-14 cm, chartaceous, with three main veins that are borne from the base, the lobes acute, divergent, the apex of the blade forming a central lobe, more or less deep, rounded, mucronate, the base subcordiform, the margins entire; upper surface pubescent, especially on the veins; lower surface with the veins prominent, pubescent; petioles 2-3 cm long, pubescent, with a violet tonality, without glands; stipules subulate, 3-5 mm long; tendrils axillary, simple, pubescent, ca. 6 cm long. Flowers minute, in axillary cymes; peduncles pubescent, 5-7 mm long; pedicels ca. 7 mm long, pubescent. Sepals yellowish green, 8-15 mm long, lanceolate, abaxially pubescent; petals 5, whitish, 8-9 × 2 mm, linear; corona biseriate, the filaments white with mulberry-colored bands, 5-8 mm long; stamens 5; stigmas subglobose. Fruit a depressedglobose berry, dark violet, pubescent, 5-8 mm in diameter. Seeds numerous, ca. 2 mm long, depressed-ovoid, rugulose.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from September to May.

Status: Native, relatively common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2679; 3752; 7847; 9320; 9446; 10761; 10869; Axelrod, F. 5338; 6137; Britton, N.L. 450; 1398; 2019; 2607; 2756; Cowles, H.T. 141; Goll, G.P. 440; Heller, A.A. 4475; Howard, R.A. 16942; Sargent, F.H. 322; 599; Wetmore 209.
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Passiflora suberosa L., Sp. Pl. 958. 1753.

Fig. 137. A-E

Synonym: Passiflora pallida L.

Non-woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 1-3 m in length. Stems slender, cylindrical, pubescent or glabrous, usually with a reddish tinge; mature stems with 4 longitudinal wings, of cork or corky material. Leaves alternate, chartaceous, glabrous, 4-15 × 4-10 cm, extremely variable in form, trilobate, lanceolate, ovate, linear, or elliptical, with 3 or 5 main veins that are borne from the base, the lobes more or less deep, oblong, ovate to almost linear, the central lobe longer than the lateral ones, the apex obtuse or acute, the base cordiform, rounded, or obtuse, sometimes peltate, the margins slightly revolute, ciliate; upper surface shiny, glabrous or puberulent; lower surface glabrous or pubescent, with slightly prominent venation; petioles 15-20 mm long, glabrous or pubescent, sulcate, reddish, with a pair of minute glands above the middle; tendrils axillary, simple, glabrous; stipules filiform, ca. 5 mm. Flowers erect, solitary or in pairs, axillary; pedicels articulate, 15-20 mm long; bracts absent. Sepals 5, lanceolate, 8-13 mm long, green outside, whitish or light green on the inner surface; petals absent; corona biseriate, the segments mulberry-colored, shorter than the sepals; gynophore cylindrical, ca. 5 mm long; stamens 5, green, ascendent; ovary ellipsoid, green, the styles reflexed, the stigmas capitate. Fruit an ovoid or ellipsoid berry, 10-12 mm long, dark violet when ripe. Seeds numerous, ellipsoid, ca. 3 mm long, covered by a green pulp.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 614; 630; 639; 898; 2063; 2330; 2434; 3006; 3133; 4075; 4302; 5196; 6958; 10498; 11374; 11474; 11510; Britton, N.L. 38; 5030; Fosberg, F.R. 57550; Goll, G.P. 185; 311; 331; 409; 634; Heller, A.A. 6068; Prey, N. 80; Sargent, F.H. 3208; Shafer, J.A. 2506; 2788; Sintenis, P. 644; 811; 1687; 3488; 5114; Stevenson, J.A. 1856; Underwood, L.M. 472; 601.
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Passiflora laurifolia L., Sp. Pl. 956. 1753.

Fig. 133. H-I

Woody vine, glabrous, attainig 2-5(-10) m in length and climbs by means of axillary tendrils. Young parts with a reddish tinge. Stems cylindrical, flexible. Leaves alternate, glabrous, coriaceous, 6.6-12 × 3.7-6.6 cm, oblong or elliptic-lanceolate, not lobate, the apex rounded or obtuse, sometimes mucronate or shortapiculate, the base almost cordiform, truncate to almost rounded, the margins entire; lower surface pale green, with the midvein prominent; petioles 0.7-2.5 cm long, reddish, with a pair of globose glands in the area where they join the blade; stipules filiform, 8-10 mm long, glandular at the apex; tendrils simple. Flowers solitary, pendulous, axillary, subtended by a persistent involucre of 3 ovate bracts, 2.5-4 cm long, with the margins serrate-glandular; peduncle 2-3.2 cm long. Sepals oblong-elliptical, 3-4 cm long, violet-pink on the inner surface, green externally, with a dorsal keel that projects beyond the apex; petals oblong, white, with numerous violet dots on the inner surface, 3.5-4 cm long; corona multiseriate, the segments filiform, with violet bands, shorter than the petals; gynophore cylindrical, yellow, ca. 1 cm long; stamens 5; ovary ellipsoid, yellow, the styles curved, the stigmas capitate-bilobate. Fruit a coriaceous berry, ellipsoid, 4-6 cm long, green, with numerous yellow dots, with the involucre persistent at the base. Seeds numerous, elliptictriangular, foveate, cream-colored, covered by a juicy yellow matrix.

Phenology: Collected in flower from June to August and in fruit in July and August.

Status: Apparently exotic, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 927; 929; 1924; 2856; 5104; 5169; 5355; 11478; Sintenis, P. 1890.
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Passiflora maliformis L., Sp. Pl. 956. 1753.

Fig. 134. A-B

Woody vine, glabrous or finely pilose, attainig 2-5(15) m in length and climbs by means of axillary tendrils. Stems subangular, cylindrical when mature, up to 2.5 cm in diameter. Leaves alternate, glabrous, chartaceous, 6-12 × 4-10 cm, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, not lobate, the apex acute, acuminate, or less frequently rounded, the base truncate to almost cordiform, the margins entire or undulate; venation pinnate, but the two basal secondary veins extending beyond the middle of the blade, prominent on both surfaces, especially on the lower surface; petioles 1.5-5 cm long, with a pair of subsessile glands above the middle; stipules linear, 9-15 mm long, not glandular; tendrils simple. Flowers solitary, axillary, subtended by a persistent involucre of 3 ovate bracts, green, 4-6 cm long, connate at the base; peduncles 3-7 cm long. Calyx campanulate, the tube ca. 1 cm long, the sepals oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 3-4 cm long, green, with a dorsal keel that projects beyond the apex; petals linear-lanceolate, green, with numerous violet dots on the inner surface, ca. 3 cm long; corona multiseriate, the 2 outer series of filiform segments, with violet bands, the inner series tuberculate; stamens 5; ovary oblong or subglobose, glabrous, the stigmas capitate. Fruit a crustaceous berry, globose, 3.5-4 cm in diameter, green, with the involucre not persistent. Seeds numerous, oblong-obcordate, 5-6 mm long, reticulate.

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

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Sintenis, P. 1166; 6560.
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Dalechampia scandens L., Sp. Pl. 1054. 1753.

Fig. 93. A-E

Herbaceous vine, twining, attainig 5 m in length. Stems cylindrical, slender, pilose. Leaves alternate, membranaceous, deeply trilobate, 5-7 × 6-12 cm, the apex acute or acuminate, the base cordiform, the margins denticulate; upper surface puberulent, with slightly prominent venation; lower surface pilose, with prominent venation; petioles 6-8 cm long, pilose; stipules ovate or lanceolate, 0.5-1 cm long. Pseudanthium on peduncles 4 cm long; bracts 3(-5)-lobate, up to 2.5 cm long, foliaceous, with the margins serrate, with stinging glandular hairs. Staminate flowers in distal cymules. Calyx of 4 sepals, ca. 1.5 mm long; stamens numerous, forming a head. Pistillate flowers in basal cymules. Calyx of 10-12 sepals; ovary trilobate. Capsule trilobate, puberulent, ca. 5 mm long. Seeds globose, ca. 3 mm in diameter, with black spots.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 600; 660; 1048; 1882; 2325; Axelrod, F. 6231; Sintenis, P. 626; 3579; Stevenson, J.A. 2158.
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Tragia volubilis L., Sp. Pl. 980. 1753.

Fig. 93. F-J

Climbing or creeping vine, twining, attainig 1-3 m in length. Stems slender, with appressed and glandular stinging hairs. Leaves alternate, usually clustered on short lateral branches, membranaceous, oblong, ovate, or lanceolate, 2-8 × 0.9-4 cm, the apex acuminate, the base subtruncate or cordiform, the margins serrate; upper surface pale green, with stinging glandular hairs, the midvein slightly prominent; lower surface pale green, with prominent venation, puberulent; petioles slender, 0.3-6 cm long; stipules subulate, ca. 4 mm long. Flowers greenish, in axillary racemes. Staminate flowers numerous, along the length of the inflorescence. Calyx 0.8-1 mm long; stamens 2-3. Pistillate flowers on long pedicels at the base of the raceme. Calyx ca. 1 mm long, pilose; ovary hispid. Capsule with three rounded lobes, ca. 7 mm in diameter, covered with stinging hairs. Seeds globose, ca. 2 mm in diameter, brown, smooth.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting almost throughout the year.

Status: Native, rather common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 703; Britton, N.L. 36; 337; Goll, G.P. 539; 631; 1024; Heller, A.A. 340; Millspaugh 696; Sargent, F.H. A75; Sintenis, P. 722; Stevenson, J.A. 991; 1974; Underwood, L.M. 393; 728.
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