Serjania polyphylla (L.) Radlk., Monogr. Serjania 179. 1875.
Fig. 151. G-J
Basionym: Paullinia polyphylla L.
Synonyms: Paullinia triternata Jacq.
Serjania triternata (Jacq.) Willd.
Woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 5-10(20) m in length. Stems cylindrical, sulcate, puberulent, glabrescent, producing abundant milky latex when wounded; mature stems cylindrical, smooth, deeply sulcate, light brown, attaining 5 cm in diameter; cross section with a central vascular cylinder and (5)8-10 peripheral vascular cylinders. Leaves alternate, triternate (27 leaflets) or exceptionally bipinnate (more than 27 leaflets); leaflets coriaceous, the margins deeply serrate or lobate on the distal portion; upper surface glabrous, shiny, with slightly prominent venation; lower surface light green, dull, with the reticulate venation slightly prominent, barbate in the axil of the veins nearest to the base, lineate; distal leaflets ovate or rhombic, 1.7-5 × 0.7-3 cm, the apex acute, obtuse, truncate, or acuminate, the base abruptly attenuate; lateral leaflets elliptical, ovate, or oblong, 1-3 × 0.8-2.7 cm, the apex obtuse or truncate, the base rounded, abruptly attenuate; primary and secondary rachis winged or narrowly winged; petioles 1-3 long, not winged, glabrous or puberulent; stipules minute, caducous; tendrils in pairs, spirally twisted, at the end of short axillary axes, from which an inflorescence usually develops. Inflorescences of axillary thyrses or forming a panicle when they are terminal on the branches; flowers zygomorphic, pedicellate, grouped in lateral cincinni. Calyx pale green, white-tomentose, of 5 sepals, 3-5 mm long. Petals white, obovate, 4-5 mm long; petaliferous appendages slightly shorter than the petals, fleshy, yellow, and bifurcate at the apex; disc unilateral, with 4 rounded or ovoid glands, glabrous or puberulent at the base; stamens 8, the filaments pilose; ovary trilocular, glabrous or puberulent. Mericarps samaroid, 1.5-2.5 cm long, with a wing on the lower portion, the seminiferous portion almost globose, reticulate, glabrous or puberulent, with a brown, ellipsoid seed inside.
Phenology: Flowering from September to April and fruiting from October to April.
Status: Native, very common.
Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 719; 2200; 7015; 9392; 10195; 11204; 11212; Boom, B. 10022; Britton, N.L. 772; 1307; 4311; 4651; 4964; Goll, G.P. 692; Heller, A.A. 6063; Sintenis, P. 274; 3406; 5646; 5772.
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Common Vines & Climbing Plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
