Common Vines & Climbing Plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

Dicranopteris pectinata (Willd.) Underw., Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 34: 260. 1907.

Fig. 8. F-G

Basionym: Mertensia pectinata Willd.

Terrestrial fern. Rhizomes creeping, scabrous, light brown, with deciduous articulate hairs. Fronds clambering or decumbent, 1-2 m long, forming a dense thicket difficult to penetrate; pinnae unequally bifurcate, with a tuft of rigid, reddish trichomes in the area of bifurcation, but without accessory pinnae or these only in the primary bifurcations; axes cylindrical and brittle, primary rachis proleptic, with sympodial growth, tertiary rachis with two narrow longitudinal keels; leaf segments oblong-deltoid, the secondary venation 3-5 times bifurcate, the apex retuse, the margins revolute; lower surface glaucous, glabrous, or sometimes stellate-pubescent. Sori yellowish, 0.5-0.7 mm in diameter.

Phenology: Probably found in fertile condition throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7120; 9333; 9372; Britton, N.L. 584; Cowgill 630; Cowles, H.T. 398; Goll, G.P. 438; 938; Proctor, G.R. 39503; 41133; Sintenis, P. 1768; Underwood, L.M. 266.
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Gleichenia bifida (Willd.) Spreng., Syst. Veg. ed. 16, 4: 27. 1827.

Fig. 9. A-C

Basionym: Mertensia bifida Willd.

Terrestrial fern. Rhizomes creeping, reddish brown, with attenuate, ciliate scales at the apex. Fronds clambering or decumbent, 1-2 m in length, forming a dense thicket difficult to penetrate; pinnae 3 times bifurcate, with small accessory pinnae and densely covered with scales in the bifurcation; rachis cylindrical, those of the young pinnae covered with pale brown ciliate scales; primary rachis with proleptic indeterminate growth, the secondary ones short; terminal pinnae 20-35 × 3-5 cm, the midvein densely covered with ferruginous scales on the lower surface; secondary pinnules oblong-deltoid, the apex obtuse; upper surface glabrous; lower surface densely covered with ferruginous scales. Sori ferruginous.

Phenology: Probably found in fertile condition throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 9322; 9373; 9447; 10218; 10524; Britton, N.L. 503; 5389; 6561; 7573; Cowles, H.T. 399; Eggers, B. 1202; Gaibee; Goll, G.P. 413; 435; 929; Hioram, B. 283; Proctor, G.R. 39418; Shafer, J.A. 3422; Sintenis, P. 429; 1769; 3988; Stimson 1282; Underwood, L.M. 288; 330; Webster, G.L. 8627.
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Lomariopsis sorbifolia (L.) Fée, Mém. Foug. 2: 69. 1845.

Fig. 10. E

Basionym: Acrostichum sorbifolium L.

Terrestrial fern, 1-1.5 m long. Rhizomes scandent by aerial roots, light brown, slightly compressed or obtusely triangular, with longitudinal keels, sometimes sulcate, 5-10 mm wide, densely covered with light brown, narrowly lanceolate, ciliate, imbricate scales, 8-12 mm long. Sterile fronds 25-115 cm long; stipes 5-30 cm long, light brown, sulcate, with scattered scales; rachis narrowly winged; pinnae 30-52, alternate or subopposite, ovate to lanceolate, chartaceous, 6-13 × 1.5-2.3 cm, with the midvein prominent on both surfaces, the apex long-acuminate to caudate, the base cuneate, equilateral, the margins finely serrate, slightly revolute; lower surface with the secondary venation conspicuous, parallel, free. Fertile fronds smaller than the sterile ones; pinnae linear, 4-8.5 × 3-5 mm, the apex obtuse, the base cuneate; lower surface densely covered with dark brown sporangia.

Phenology:Collected in fertile condition from May to November.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 10816; Sintenis, P. 1762.
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Thunbergia alata Bojer ex Sims, Bot. Mag. 52, t. 2591. 1825.

Fig. 14. G-L

Herbaceous vine, creeping or climbing, twining, 2-3 m in length. Stems cylindrical, slender (ca. 2 mm), puberulous. Leaves opposite; blades 4.5-10.5 × 3.2-6 cm, ovate, lobed, chartaceous, the apex acute, the base subcordiform; upper surface dark green, dull, pubescent; lower surface pale green, dull, with prominent venation; petioles 4-8 cm long, winged, pubescent. Flowers axillary, solitary; pedicels pubescent, 4-5 cm long; bracts green, ovate, pubescent, 1.5 cm long, covering the calyx and the corolla tube. Calyx yellowish green, with 12 filiform lobes, ca. 4 mm long; corolla orange, pale yellow, or less frequently whitish, infundibuliform, with 5 lobes, the tube ca. 2.5 cm long, narrow at the base, dark violet inside, the lobes ca. 2.5 cm long with the apex truncate, the limb ca. 5 cm in diameter; stamens with glandular hairs on the basal portion. Capsules ca. 4 mm long, depressed-globose to 4-lobed at the base, the upper half in the form of a beak, dehiscent by two valves; seeds 2 or 4, 1.2-1.5 mm long, semicircular, reticulate.

Phenology: Flowering sporadically throughout the year.

Status: Exotic, very common, naturalized in Puerto Rico.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3050; 7002; 7135; Boom, B. 9895; Eggers, B. 760; Fisher, M.J. 21; 22; 23; Goll, G.P. 71; 152; Heller, A.A. 624; 6312; 6392; Liogier, A.H. 30010; Prey, N. 82; Sargent, F.H. 189; Sintenis, P. 158; Stevenson, J.A. 98; 306; 3328; Underwood, L.M. 757.
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Thunbergia grandiflora (Roxb. ex Rottler) Roxb., Hort. Geng. 45. 1814.

Fig. 15. A-F

Basionym: Flemingia grandiflora Roxb. ex Rottler

Woody vine, twining, 10-15 m in length. Stems cylindrical, up to 2.5 cm in diameter, striate, puberulous; cross section of the stem with the pith hollow and the xylem tissue with wide rays. Leaves opposite; blades 15-26 × 13-30 cm, ovate or broadly ovate, chartaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base cordiform or subcordiform, the margins lobate-dentate, ciliate; upper surface dark green, shiny, puberulous, with slightly prominent venation; lower surface light green, ull, glabrous or puberulous, with prominent venation; petioles 6-12 cm long, sulcate. Flowers arranged in axillary cymes; pedicels robust, cylindrical, 4-6 cm long; bracts light green, membranaceous, ovate, ca. 4 cm long, covering the calyx and the corolla tube. Calyx green, in the form of a ring, 4-5 mm long; corolla lilac or white, infundibuliform, with 5 lobes, the tube 6-7 cm long, light yellow inside, narrow at the base, the limb 6-7 cm in diameter. Capsule ca. 3 cm long, subglobose at the base, the upper half in the form of a beak, dehiscent in two halves.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year and fruiting sporadically from May to July.

Status: Exotic, very aggressive, widely cultivated and naturalized in Puerto Rico.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7049; 9350; 9418.
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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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Pentalinon luteum (L.) Hansen & Wunderlin, Taxon 35: 167. 1986.

Fig. 19. G-J

Basionym: Vinca lutea L.

Synonym: Urechites lutea (L.) Britton

Babeiro amarillo, Wild allamanda

Woody vine, twining, much branched from the base, up to 5 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems smooth, cylindrical, pubescent when young, lenticellate; bark thin, copper-colored. Leaves opposite; blades 3-7 × 1.5-3.7 cm, elliptical or obovate, coriaceous, glabrous, the apex rounded and mucronate, the base rounded to obtuse, the margins entire, revolute; upper surface shiny with the midvein yellowish; lower surface dull, with a prominent midvein, puberulous; petioles ca. 5 mm long, cylindrical, pubescent. Flowers in axillary cymes, few-flowered; pedicels cylindrical, pubescent, 1.5-2 cm long. Calyx light green, pubescent, of five lanceolate sepals, ca. 12 mm long; corolla yellow, infundibuliform, ca. 3 cm long, with cardinal red lines inside, the limb 3 cm in diameter, with 5 rounded lobes. Follicles woody, linear, divaricate; seeds numerous, with long, silky hairs.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 368; 685; 686; 1835; 2833; 4292; 11298; Johnston, J.R. 821; Sargent, F.H. 723; Shafer, J.A. 2737; Sintenis, P. 1891; Stevenson, J.A. 6583.
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Tournefortia volubilis L., Sp. Pl. 140. 1753.

Fig. 52. H-K

Synonym: Tournefortia ferruginea Lam.

Twining vine, 2-7 m in length. Stems cylindrical, slender, ferruginous-pubescent to glabrous, lineate-lenticellate when mature. Leaves alternate; blades 3.5-10 × 0.6-3.5 cm, lanceolate, ovate, or less frequently oblong, chartaceous, the apex acuminate or less frequently acute, the base rounded, subcordiform, or less frequently obtuse, sometimes unequal, the margins entire; upper surface pubescent or glabrous, sometimes pustulose, with the venation slightly sunken; lower surface pubescent or less frequently glabrous, pale, with prominent venation; petioles 2-7 mm long. Flowers numerous, sessile or subsessile, in terminal branched scorpioid cymes. Calyx green, crateriform, the sepals subulate, 1-2 mm long, strigose; corolla greenish white or greenish yellow, hypocrateriform, ca. 2 mm long, the tube pubescent outside, the lobes subulate, 1-1.5 mm long; stamens inserted, the anthers sessile. Drupes ovoid, usually 2-4-lobed, ca. 3 mm in diameter, white, with 2-4 circular black spots.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, common.

Commentary: This species can be distinguished with certainty from T. microphylla by the presence of at least some leaves with acuminate apices (some individuals present leaves with acute apices, but leaves with acuminate apices will always be found). Tournefortia volubilis, as a general rule, has the lower surface of the leaves with rather conspicuous venation, while T. microphylla, on the contrary, has inconspicuous venation.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 986; 1083; 10901; Britton, N.L. 271; Liogier, A.H. 31147; Sintenis, P. 640; 1316; 4957; 5221.
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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.
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Barbieria pinnata (Pers.) Baill., Hist. Pl. 2: 263. 1870.

Fig. 97. E-I

Basionym: Galactia pinnata Pers.

Synonyms: Clitoria pinnata (Pers.) R.H. Sm. & G.P. Lewis

Clitoria polyphylla Poir.

Barbieria polyphylla (Poir.) Dc.

Woody vine or clambering shrub, twining, attainig 4-10 m in length. Stems slender, much branched, striate, hirsute, glabrescent, coppercolored, with some whitish lenticels. Leaves alternate, imparipinnate; leaflets 11-21, chartaceous, oblong, 2-5.5 × 1.2-2.2 cm, the apex rounded and mucronate, the base rounded or obtuse, the margins entire, ciliate; upper surface pale green, dull, with inconspicuous venation; lower surface green, silky or whitish, pubescent, with the midvein prominent, yellowish, covered with minute hairs; petiolules 1-2 mm long, ferruginous-pubescent; petioles 1-4 cm long, pilose; rachis pilose, with a pair of stipels at the base of each pair of leaflets; stipels linear, 3-5 mm long; stipules lanceolate, 5-9 mm long, pubescent, persistent. Inflorescences of axillary racemes of few distal flowers, 4-16 cm long; bracts lanceolate, pubescent, forming an involucre at the base of the calyx. Calyx tubular, reddish, striate, 2.5-3.5 cm long, with five subulate sepals, acuminate, 0.8-1 cm long, the ventral sepals slightly longer than the lateral ones; corolla red or red-orange, the standard oblong-oblanceolate, unguiculate, 5-6 cm long, the wings oblong, 9-13 mm long, the keel elliptic-oblong, 17-23 mm long; stamens 10, staminal column white, the anthers white; ovary superior, linear, 8-11 mm long, white-pubescent. Legume subsessile, oblong, flattened, laterally compressed between the seeds, 5-7 × 0.5-0.6 cm, pubescent, with the margins sinuate and the calyx persistent at the base. Seeds 4-9 per fruit, dark brown or black, oblong, 4-6 mm long.

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

Status: Native, not very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7074; Goll, G.P. 937; Sintenis, P. 151; 5710; 5942; Stevenson, J.A. 248.
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Canavalia rosea (Sw.) Dc., Prodr. 2: 404. 1825.

Fig. 99. H-L

Basionym: Dolichos roseus Sw.

Synonyms: Dolichos maritimus Aubl.

Canavalia maritima (Aubl.) Urb.

Canavalia maritima Thouars

Dolichos obtusifolius Lam.

Canavalia obtusifolia (Lam.) Dc.

Woody vine, creeping or twining, much branched from the base, attainig 2-6 m in length. Stems smooth, glabrescent, green, mulberrycolored at the nodes, with adventitious roots. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets 4-10.4 × 3-10 cm, chartaceous, oblong, ovate, or orbicular, involute, the apex obtuse, rounded, retuse and mucronate, the base cuneate or rounded, the margins entire; upper surface glabrous except for the puberulent veins; lower surface puberulent, yellowish green, dull, with prominent venation; rachis sulcate, villous, 3-4.5 cm long; petiolules swollen, villous, ca. 1 cm long; petioles sulcate, villous, swollen at the base, 4-6 cm long; stipels absent; stipules triangular, persistent. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes, 25-30 cm long, the flowers in pairs on each nodal swelling along the rachis; bracts minute, deciduous. Calyx 8-11 mm long, yellowish green, with five lobes, three small and two large, puberulent; corolla violet-pink, the standard broadly elliptical, 2-2.5 cm long, reflexed, white in the center, the wings and the keel shorter than the standard. Legume 10-17 × 2.3-2.5 cm, oblong, not flattened, subwoody, with three keels on each valve. Seeds numerous, 1.5-1.8 cm long, ellipsoid, brown, with the hilum white.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting almost throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 776; 2018; 2911; 4320; 5301; 6975.
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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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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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Stigmaphyllon emarginatum (Cav.) A. Juss., Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot., Ii, 13: 290. 1840.

Fig. 122. D-G

Basionym: Banisteria emarginata Cav.

Synonyms: Stigmaphyllon periplocifolium (Desf.) A. Juss.

Stigmaphyllon lingulatum (Poir.) Small

Woody vine, twining, attainig 5-10 m in length. Stem up to 8 cm in diameter; much branched from the base; bark very rough, reddish brown. Branches copper-colored, glabrous, more or less cylindrical, lenticellate, the young portions strigulose. Leaves opposite, coriaceous, lanceolate, ovate, oblong, linear, or less frequently rounded, 2.5-10(13) × 1-5.5(10.5) cm, sparsely appressed-pubescent when young, glabrescent, the apex acute or obtuse, emarginate-mucronate, the base truncate or cordiform, the margins entire or undulate; upper surface shiny, with the reticulate venation prominent; lower surface pale green, dull, with the midvein prominent; petioles yellowish, flattened on the upper surface, 0.2-2 cm long, with two discoid glands in the area adjacent to the blade; stipules triangular, minute. Inflorescences of axillary umbels, corymbs, or pseudoracemes, with 15-35 flowers; peduncles pubescent, 0.2-2.5 cm long; pedicels 3-23 mm long, articulated above the base; bracts minute, eglandular. Calyx of 5 ovate-triangular sepals, 4(5) of which have a pair of glands outside at the base. Petals 5, yellow, rounded, unguiculate, 11-15 mm long; stamens unequal, glabrous or puberulent; anterior style shorter; stigmas green. Mericarps 1.6-2.2 cm long, with an asymmetrical dorsal wing, curved on the upper margin and crenate on the lower margin.

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

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 591; 790; 992; 2017; 2897; 3965; 4042; 4355; 5206; 5366; 5439; 7081; 9307; 10536; 11218; 11228; 11430; 11473.
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Schlegelia brachyantha Griseb., Cat. Pl. Cub. 191. 1866.

Fig. 152. A-E

Synonyms: Schlegelia brachyantha var. portoricensis Urb.

Schlegelia portoricensis (Urb.) Britton

Schlegelia axillaris sensu A. Stahl, non Griseb.

Woody vine, 10-15 m in length, climbing by adventitious roots that are produced in the area of the nodes. Stems cylindrical, lenticellate, up to 5 cm in diameter. Leaves opposite; blades simple, 6-12 × 3-7 cm, elliptical, oblong, or obovate, coriaceous, fragile, glabrous, the apex obtuse or rounded, sometimes retuse, the base acute, obtuse, or rounded, the margins smooth, revolute; upper surface dark, shiny, with the midvein sunken; lower surface yellowish green, with a prominent midvein; petioles recurved, thick, grayish, 8-12 mm long. Flowers in small axillary racemes; pedicels pubescent, 4-8 mm long. Calyx green, campanulate, truncate, ca. 5 mm long; corolla white or pink with mulberry-colored lines inside, tubular, 15-18 mm long, the limb with 5 rounded lobes, unequal; stamens 4, exserted, 2 fertile, 2 staminodia. Berry globose, purple when ripe, 6-10 mm in diameter; seeds angular, surrounded by the pulp of the fruit.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year, particularly from March to August, and fruiting in June.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2964; Britton, N.L. 5534; 6383; Eggers, B. 1318; Liogier, A.H. 10762; 28533; Sargent, F.H. 312; Shafer, J.A. 3446; Sintenis, P. 3075; Stevenson, J.A. 5233.
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Tournefortia bicolor Sw., Prodr. 40. 1788.

Fig. 50. A-E

Synonym: Tournefortia laevigata Lam.

Woody vine, twining, attaining 10 m in length. Stems cylindrical, strigose, glabrous when mature, attaining 4-5 cm in diameter. Leaves alternate; blades 4-15 × 2.5-8 cm, lanceolate or elliptical, chartaceous, the apex acute or short-acuminate, the base cuneate or obtuse, the margins entire or crenulate; upper surface glabrous or appressedpubescent or scabrid, puberulous on the venation, lower surface glabrous, with prominent puberulous venation; petioles sulcate, strigulose, 5-25 mm long. Flowers numerous, sessile, in scorpioid cymes, branched, the axes strigose. Calyx green, crateriform, strigose, the sepals subulate, 1.5-2 mm long; corolla white, hypocrateriform, 4-6 mm long, strigose outside, the lobes ovate, spreading, ca. 1 mm long; stamens inserted; ovary ovoid, with 4 chambers, the stigma sessile. Drupe globose, white, ca. 8 mm in diameter, separating into 4 pyrenes on drying.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from February to August.

Status: Native, uncommon.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 4121; Britton, E.G. 2866; Britton, N.L. 339; 6269; Sargent, F.H. B20; Sintenis, P. 1420; 6211.
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Cordia polycephala (Lam.) I.M. Johnst., J. Arnold Arbor. 16: 33. 1935.

Fig. 49. G-L

Basionym: Varronia polycephala Lam.

Synonym: Varronia corymbosa (L.)Desv.

Woody shrub, clambering, up to 5 m in length. Stems pubescent when young, cylindrical, attaining 1.5 cm in diameter. Leaves alternate; blades 4-15 × 2-5.5 cm, ovate, lanceolate, or elliptical, coriaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base obtuse or rounded, sometimes unequal, the margins serrate; upper surface scabrous, the venation sunken; lower surface pale green, more or less pubescent, with prominent reticulate venation; petioles pubescent, 5-10 mm long. Flowers numerous, sessile, arranged in terminal or axillary paniculate or corymbose heads. Calyx yellowish green, crateriform, pubescent, 2.5-3 mm long; corolla white, campanulate, 4-5 mm long, the lobes much shorter than the tube, the tube pubescent inside; stamens and stigmas inserted. Drupe red, globose, 3-4 mm in diameter, completely covered by the accrescent calyx.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year, particularly in June and July.

Status: Native, very common.

Commentary: Cordia wagnerorum Howard was originally described as a clambering shrub; nevertheless, the clambering habit seems to be the exception to the rule, since I have only observed this species as an erect shrub. For this reason, this species has been excluded from the present work.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 96; 822; 2059; 3054; 3834; 5174; 10465; 10481; 11219; 11477.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

Securidaca virgata Sw., Prodr. 104. 1788.

Fig. 1E; 141. E-M

Synonym: Elsota virgata (Sw.) Kuntze

Woody vine, twining, with pendulous branches, attainig 5-10 m in length. Stems cylindrical, puberulent, slightly flattened when mature; cross section with bands of vascular tissue alternating with bands of parenchyma. Leaves alternate, 1-2 cm long, obovate or oblong, minutely strigulose, the apex rounded, retuse, the base cuneate or obtuse, the margins entire, revolute, the venation inconspicuous on both surfaces; petioles ca. 1 mm long, strigulose. Inflorescences of terminal racemes; pedicels ca. 6 mm long, minutely sericeous; calyx of 5 sepals, unequal, the 3 outer ones 2-4 mm long, pink, rounded, strigulose, the inner ones petaloid, 8-12 mm long, pink, rounded; keel white, ca. 8 mm long, the upper petals yellow, fleshy, slightly shorter than the keel. Samara 3-4 cm long, minutely sericeous, especially the seminiferous locule, the wing with reticulate venation, 2-3 × 1 cm.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3747; 6954; 7127; 9453; Britton, N.L. 983; 4478; 5809; Cowell, J.F. 582; Eggers, B. Goll, G.P. 410; 586; 1055; Heller, A.A. 4385; Holdridge, L. 215; Sargent, F.H. 250; Shafer, J.A. 2380; Sintenis, P. 46; 1065; 5291; 6658; Stevenson, J.A. 102; Underwood, L.M. 77; Webster, G.L. 8844.
less ↑

Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw., Fl. Ind. Occ. 1150.1800.

Fig. 88. A-E

Basionym: Sicyos edulis Jacq.

Herbaceous vine climbing by axillary tendrils, 10 or more m in length. Stems much branched, greenish, striate, pubescent when young, glabrous when mature, sometimes pubescent at the nodes; tendrils axillary or lateral to the leaves, thick, with 4 or 5 branches that intertwine in a spiral. Leaves alternate; blades 6-22 × 6-22 cm, ovate or rounded, 3-5-lobed-angled, chartaceous, the venation 5-9-palmate, the lobes acute at the apex, the base cordiform, the margins entire or denticulate; upper surface dark green, scabrous, with the venation slightly prominent; lower surface yellowish green, with prominent venation, pubescent; petioles thick, 4-15 cm long. Staminate flowers in axillary racemes; calyx green, campanulate, with 5 minute lanceolate lobes; corolla yellowish green, the lobes oblong, 6-8 mm long; stamens yellow. Pistillate flowers solitary on a long pedicel axillary to the staminate inflorescence; calyx green, campanulate, with oblong lobes, ca. 4 mm long; corolla yellowish green, with five deep lobes, oblong, 10-12 mm long; ovary inferior, obovoid-fusiform, pubescent. Fruit fleshy, pyriform, sulcate, 8-16 cm long, green or white, usually spinulose. Seed one, lenticular, germinating inside the fruit.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, very common.
less ↑

Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski in Acev.-Rodr., Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 114. 1996.

Fig. 41. D-I

Basionym: Silphium trilobatum L.

Synonym: Wedelia trilobata (L.) Hitchc.

Creeping or decumbent herb, sometimes scandent, attaining 2 m in length. Stems obtusely quadrangular or cylindrical, puberulous. Leaves opposite; blades 3-10 × 2.5-6 cm, oblanceolate or rhombic, usually 3-lobed, chartaceous, the apex obtuse or acute, the base obtuse or attenuate, the margins serrate; upper surface pubescent or puberulous; lower surface pubescent or puberulous, with glandular dots, with prominent venation and pubescent; petioles 0-5 mm long. Capitula of numerous flowers, solitary, terminal; peduncles 3.5-14 cm long, puberulous; involucre turbinate; phyllaries in one series, 12-14, unequal, 10-14 cm long, oblanceolate or oblong, green; disc corollas tubular, yellow, 4.5-5.5 mm long, papillose on the outer surface of the lobes; ray corollas ligulate, the ligules ca. 15 mm long, subelliptical, trilobed at the apex. Achenes pyriform, ca. 2 mm long; pappus forming a corona, ca. 1 mm high.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Ornamental, cultivated and naturalized, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 923; 2894.
less ↑

Vigna luteola (Jacq.) Benth. in Mart., Fl. Bras. 15(1): 194. 1859.

Fig. 115. D-H

Basionym: Dolichos luteolus Jacq.

Synonyms: Dolichos repens L.

Vigna repens (L.) Kuntze, non Baker

Herbaceous vine, creeping or climbing, twining, attainig 10 m in length. Stems branched from the base, slender, cylindrical, ferruginouspilose. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets chartaceous, ovate or lanceolate, 2.5-7.5 × 1-5 cm; upper surface glabrous, with slightly prominent venation; lower surface sparsely appressedpubescent, especially on the prominent veins, the apex acute, obtuse, or less frequently acuminate, the base cuneate to rounded, slightly asymmetrical on the lateral leaflets, the margins entire, ciliate; petiolules 2-3 mm long, pubescent; rachis 9-13 mm long, marginate or narrowly winged; petioles 2-9 cm long, marginate or narrowly winged; stipels oblong, 2-2.5 mm long; stipules lanceolate, ca. 3 mm long, auriculate at the base. Pseudoracemes axillary, up to 30 cm long, the flowers 1-2 per node, which are found in the distal portion of the inflorescence; pedicels 4-5 mm long, erect, with the calyx in a horizontal position or reflexed. Calyx green, campanulate, 4-5 mm long, the sepals unequal, the longer (3 mm) ones subulate, the shorter (1.5-2 mm) ones deltate, ciliate. Corolla brilliant yellow; standard rounded, 1.5-2 cm long; the wings and the keel as long as the standard. Legume pointing downward, linear, almost cylindrical, slightly curved, with the margins slightly sinuate between the seeds, 4-7 cm long, ca. 5 mm wide, glabrous or pubescent, blackish on drying. Seeds oblong or rectangular, ca. 5 mm long, reddish brown.

Phenology: Flowering almost throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2994; 4005; 5179; 7089; 7915; 9389; 10773; 11240; Britton, N.L. 208; 1594; 5511; Goll, G.P. 16; 954; Heller, A.A. 240; 4682; Shafer, J.A. 2729; Sintenis, P. 170; 3947; 6715; Stevenson, J.A. 5474; Underwood, L.M. 5; Webster, G.L. 8621.
less ↑

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

Fig. 184. A-F

Synonyms: Smilax ilicifolia sensu Boldingh non Desv.

Smilax havanensis var. portoricensis A. Dc.

Smilax guianensis var. subarmata O.E. Schulz

Smilax coriacea var. ilicifolia O.E. Schulz

Smilax subarmata O.E. Schulz

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

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

Status: Native, very common.

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

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

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.
less ↑

Mikania cordifolia (L.f.) Willd., Sp. Pl. 3: 1746. 1804.

Fig. 35. E-H

Basionym: Cacalia cordifolia L.f.

Synonyms: Mikania gonoclada Dc.

Mikania convolvulacea Dc.

Slightly woody vine, twining, 2-5 m in length. Stems pubescent, octagonal, striate. Leaves opposite; blades 7-12 × 3.5-7.4 (9) cm, ovate, slightly aromatic, chartaceous, the apex acute, the base cordiform or subcordiform, the venation with three main veins, the margins serrate, upper surface dull green, puberulous; lower surface glaucous, densely pubescent, with prominent venation; petioles 5-4 cm long, sulcate; pseudostipules divided in lanceolate segments, whitish. Capitula numerous, arranged in axillary corymbiform cymes; subinvolucral bract linear to lanceolate, 4-5 mm long, pilose; phyllaries elliptical or narrowly ovate, 6-8 mm long, green, pubescent; corollas white, infundibuliform, aromatic; anthers brown, connate, exserted. Achenes prismatic, with 5 longitudinal ribs, ca. 3 mm long, grayish, scabrid; pappus of numerous white setae, scabrous, ca. 4.5 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from November to March.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Abbott 1532; Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3739; 4109; 4215; 7124; 7809; 9343; Boom, B. 7071; Britton, N.L. 368; 1669; 2349; 8578; Heller, A.A. 211; 4664; 6334; 6379; Liogier, A.H. 10646; Shafer, J.A. 2644; Sintenis, P. 204; 3052; 6194; Stevenson, J.A. 1154.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

Cissus verticillata (L.) Nicolson & Jarvis, Taxon 33: 727. 1984.

Fig. 164. A-D

Basionym: Viscum verticillatum L.

Synonym: Cissus sicyoidesL.

Non-woody vine, that climbs by means of tendrils and attains more than 10 m in length. Stems fleshy, with abundant watery latex, cylindrical when young, flattened when mature, attaining 5 cm in diameter, the nodes swollen. Leaves alternate, coriaceous, ovate, 5-12 × 3.8-6.5 cm, the apex acute or rounded, the base cordiform, the margins revolute, denticulate; upper surface green, shiny; lower surface green, dull, with prominent venation; petioles 2-5 cm long, sulcate; stipules 2.5-3.5 mm long, auriculate; tendrils opposite the leaves, simple or bifurcate, up to 25 cm long, twisting in the form of a spiral. Inflorescences of compound cymes that are borne opposite the leaves; pedicels ca. 3 mm long, yellowish green or reddish. Calyx yellowish green or reddish, 0.7-1 mm long; petals 4, yellowish or pink, oblong-lanceolate, 2-2.5 mm long, deciduous; disc annular, yellow, 0.5-0.8 mm high. Fruits globose, fleshy, 0.7-1 cm in diameter, shiny, dark violet or black, with one or two seeds inside.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 169; 819; 833; 2088; 2420; 2820; 3993; 4683; 5114; 5172; 7088; 10591; 10929; 11681.
less ↑

Distictis lactiflora (Vahl) Dc., Prodr. 9: 191. 1845.

Fig. 3. A; 44. E-H

Basionym: Bignonia lactiflora Vahl

Synonym: Macrodiscus lactiflorus (Vahl)Bureau

Woody vine that climbs by tendrils with adhesive discs and attains 5 m or more in length. Mature stems cylindrical with the bark light brown, shredded; cross section with peripheral phloem forming a cross of 4 arms. Branches quadrangular, striate, puberulous, with thickened nodes; pseudostipules foliaceous, 3-4 mm long, deciduous. Leaves opposite, 2-foliolate, with a terminal tendril with 3 branches, 2 of them modified into an adhesive disc; leaflets 2.7-8 × 2-4.5 cm, oblong, elliptical to subrounded, coriaceous, with the reticulate venation conspicuous, the apex obtuse, acute, or acuminate, the base rounded or acute, unequal; upper surface shiny, glabrous, puberulous, or minutely lepidote; lower surface pale green, dull, covered with minute transparent scales, venation prominent; petioles 1-2 cm long, the petiolules 5-10 mm long, both with 2 rows of crimped hairs. Flowers fragrant, in pendulous, terminal racemes or panicles, 10-30 cm long; peduncles and pedicels pubescent. Calyx simple, green, crateriform, 5-7 mm long, truncate at the apex or minutely denticulate; corolla white, infundibuliform, 2.5-5.5 cm long, the tube yellow inside, the lobes 5, rounded, ca. 1.5 cm long. Capsule woody, elliptical, 6.5-13 × 1.7-3.5 cm, somewhat compressed or subcylindrical, with the apex and base acute; seeds numerous, compressed, ca. 2.5 cm long, the central circular body ca. 7 mm in diameter, with a surrounding marginal hyaline wing.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting almost throughout the year, especially from November to July.

Status: Native, very common in southwestern Puerto Rico.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 982; 2203; 4660; 5403; 7010; 10557; 11822; Britton, N.L. 1268; 1771; 5849; Goll, G.P. 500; 694; Heller, A.A. 341; Shafer, J.A. 2789; Sintenis, P. 577; 2116; 2173; 3091; 3187; 3304; 6819; Underwood, L.M. 459.
less ↑

Matelea maritima (Jacq.) Woodson, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 28: 222. 1941.

Fig. 29. A-D

Basionym: Asclepias maritima Jacq.

Synonym: Ibatia maritima (Jacq.) Decne.

Slightly woody vine, twining, 5-7 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems densely pubescent and sulcate when young, whitish and corky when mature, 4 mm or more in diameter. Leaves opposite; blades 4-10.5 × 3-7.5 cm, ovate, chartaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base cordiform, the margins entire; upper surface dull, pubescent, with 2 (3-7) acicular glands in the area adjacent to the petiole; lower surface pale, densely pubescent, the venation yellowish; petioles cylindrical, densely pubescent, 2-7 cm long. Flowers few, in small axillary cymes. Calyx green, rotate, ca. 2 mm in diameter, the sepals ovate or lanceolate, pubescent; corolla rotate, greenish, 4-6 mm in diameter, the petals ovate, not imbricate; corona yellowish green, with short and rounded lobes. Follicles ovoid-fusiform, green, 5-8 × 3.5-4.5 cm, pubescent, verrocose; seeds numerous, brown, with long, white, silky hairs.

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

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 652; 903; 1034; 2737; 4076; 4674; Britton, N.L. 1641; 1932; Goll, G.P. 750; Proctor, G.R. 46582; Shafer, J.A. 2657; Sintenis, P. 2174; 3208.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

Ipomoea repanda Jacq., Enum. Syst. Pl. 13. 1760.

Fig. 69. C-F

Synonym: Exogonium repandum (Jacq.)Choisy

Herbaceous vine, twining, attaining 10 m in length, usually producing abundant milky latex. Roots tuberous, elongate or rounded. Stems slender, glabrous, cylindrical, striate when young, lenticellate on the mature portions. Leaves alternate; blades simple, 5-18 × 1.5-13 cm, glabrous, chartaceous, ovate, lanceolate, or sometimes trilobed, the apex and lobes acute or acuminate, mucronate, the base cordiform, truncate, or rounded, the margins revolute, entire or slightly undulate; upper surface dark green, shiny; lower surface pale green, punctate, with a prominent midvein; petioles 1.5-6 cm long, sulcate, glabrous. Flowers in compound dichasial cymes, pendulous; bracts deciduous. Calyx pink, crateriform, not accrescent, the sepals unequal, 8-10 mm long, ovate, obtuse at the apex; corolla bright pink, hypocrateriform, 4-5.5 cm long, the limb with 5 deep lobes, oblong, obtuse, reflexed; stamens and stigmas pink or white, exserted. Capsules conical to ellipsoid, the pericarp thin, pale brown, 1.2-1.5 cm long, apiculate; seeds 4 per capsule, black, 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, especially from June to January.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 163; 620; 2400; 2559; 2563; 2839; 3123; 3128; 7117; Britton, N.L. 1516; 7122; Eggers, B. 1321; Hartley 13328; Howard, R.A. 16812; Liogier, A.H. 10438; Sargent, F.H. 113; Shafer, J.A. 3604; Sintenis, P. 289; 5330; Stevenson, J.A. 1156; Vélez, I. 1480.
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 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 ↑

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.
less ↑

Passiflora rubra L., Sp. Pl. 956. 1753.

Fig. 135. B-D.

Herbaceous vine, that climbs by means of axillary tendrils and attains 2-5 m in length. Stems angular, almost triangular, pilose, striate, attaining 5 mm wide, with many lateral branches. Leaves alternate, simple, bilobate or less frequently with a third lobe in a central position, 4-12 × 4-12 cm, chartaceous, pubescent, with three main veins that are borne from the base, the lobes acute, divergent, mucronate, the base cordiform, the margins entire; lower surface with the veins prominent, with a reddish tonality; petioles 2-4 cm long, pubescent, with a reddish tonality, without glands; stipules subulate, pubescent, ca. 5 mm long; tendrils simple, pubescent, up to 20 cm long. Flowers axillary, solitary or in pairs; pedicels pubescent, 3-5 cm long. Sepals oblong, 1.3-2.5 cm long, pilose and green on the outer surface, white on the inner surface; petals linear, whitish, 0.9-1.5 cm long; corona biseriate, the outer segments filiform, 1-1.3 cm long, pink to purple, the inner ones minute; gynophore cylindrical, 0.6-1 cm long; stamens 5, greenish; ovary ellipsoid-globose, green, hirsute, the styles reflexed, the stigmas capitate. Fruit a fleshy capsule, tardily dehiscent, up to 2 cm in diameter, ellipsoid or ovoid, red or red-pink, pilose, with 8 longitudinal ribs. Seeds numerous, elliptical, 3-4 mm long, transversely sulcate, covered by a white aril.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 103; 285; 905; 2438; 4052; 9375; Axelrod, F. 5246; 5812; Britton, N.L. 824; Goll, G.P. 250; 303; 374; Heller, A.A. Shafer, J.A. 2987; Sintenis, P. 341; 2804; 6017; Stevenson, J.A. 153; Underwood, L.M. 362.
less ↑

Cissus trifoliata (L.) L., Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 897. 1759.

Fig. 164. E-F

Basionym: Sicyos trifoliata L.

Synonym: Cissus acida L.

Non-woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 2-15 m in length. Stems much branched, cylindrical, fleshy, 3-8 mm in diameter, glabrous or puberulent, reddish brown or grayish when mature, the nodes swollen. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate, fleshy, glabrous; leaflets ovate, obovate, or oblong, 2-3 × 1-2.6 cm, the apex rounded, acute, or truncate, the base cuneate or attenuate, the margins deeply dentate-mucronate on the upper half; upper surface and lower surface dull; petioles fleshy, sulcate, 1-3 cm long; stipules 3.5-5 mm long, lanceolate; tendrils opposite the leaves, simple, filiform, 6-8 cm long, twisted in the form of a spiral. Inflorescences in cymes, opposite the leaves. Calyx yellowish green, 1.5-2 mm long. Petals 4, yellowish or whitish, reflexed, 2-2.5 mm long, lanceolate-triangular, deciduous. Fruits depressed-globose, 7-8 mm in diameter, shiny, metallic blue or black when ripe.

Phenology: Flowering from March to July and fruiting from July to August.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 1017; 1799; 2693; 4375; 5127; 5363; 5446; 11251; 11497; Axelrod, F. 6346; Breckon, G. 4067; Sintenis, P. 4901; Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2015.
less ↑

Hippocratea volubilis L., Sp. Pl. 1191. 1753.

Fig. 58. A-H

Synonym: Hippocratea ovata Lam.

Woody vine, climbing, which supports itself on other plants by twining lateral branches and attains 10-15 m in length. Stems green, quadrangular, becoming grayish and cylindrical when mature; branches opposite, twining, developing before the leaves. Leaves opposite; blades 4-17 × 2-8 cm, elliptical or oblong, coriaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base obtuse or rounded, sometimes unequal, the margins crenulate or slightly serrate; upper surface shiny, glabrous, with the veins slightly sunken; lower surface pale green, dull, glabrous, with the venation slightly prominent; petioles 3-7 mm long; stipules absent. Flowers numerous, in axillary corymbs. Calyx yellowish green, of 5 rounded sepals, ca. 1 mm long; corolla of 5 yellowish or whitish petals, free, oblanceolate, 2.5-3 mm long, pubescent on the distal portion; stamens 3, the filaments connate into a conical disc, which almost totally surrounds the ovary; ovary superior, tricarpellate, the style one, with a punctiform stigma. Mericarps 3, divergent, flattened, conspicuously veined, 4-8 cm long; seeds few, winged, ca. 4 cm long, the seed-bearing portion elliptical, the wing oblong.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year and fruiting from October to January.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 248; 569; 2999; 6175; 6186; 7130; Axelrod, F. 4630; Britton, N.L. 1440; 1599; 1917; 4345; 5812; Eggers, B. 1160; Heller, A.A. 266; 4424; Liogier, A.H. 10265; 30929; Pfeifer 2934; Shafer, J.A. 2876; 2899; 2910; 3247; Sintenis, P. 795; 1854; 5164; 6392; Stevenson, J.A. 396; 2692; Underwood, L.M. 643.
less ↑

Capparis flexuosa (L.) L., Sp. Pl. ed. 2, 722. 1762.

Fig. 56. A-E

Basionym: Morisonia flexuosa L.

Synonym: Capparis saligna Vahl

Woody shrub, erect or clambering, much branched from the base, 2-10 m in length. Branches pendulous, glabrous, light brown, smooth, attaining 20 cm in diameter at the base. Leaves alternate; blades 4-10 × 1.5-2.5 cm, oblong or linear, coriaceous, glabrous, the apex rounded or emarginate, the base rounded, the margins entire, revolute; upper surface yellowish green, shiny or dull; lower surface pale green, dull, with a prominent midvein; petioles 5-8 mm long, light brown. Flowers fragrant, nocturnal, clustered in terminal corymbs. Calyx yellowish green, of 4 imbricate sepals, rounded, fleshy, 6-10 mm long; petals green or yellowish green, 4, elliptical, 1.5-3 cm long, concave; stamens numerous, white, 4-6 cm long. Follicles fleshy, cylindrical-torulose, 6-8 cm long, light brown, with longitudinal dehiscence, the inner walls red-orange; seeds pendulous from the parietal placenta, oblong, ca. 1 cm long, with a white, fleshy covering.

Phenology: Flowering from March to October and fruiting in August and September.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 1026; 1826; 1947; 2312; 2351; 2521; 4664; 4687; 4688; 5202; 7079; Axelrod, F. 6338; Gregory 188; Heller, A.A. 6163; Johnston, J.R. 798; Little, E.L. 21636; Mill. 1667; Sargent, F.H. 46; Shafer, J.A. 2658; 2767; Sintenis, P. 869; 3334; 3379; 3613; 3841; 3954; 4999; 5487; Stevenson, J.A. 2502; 5490; Underwood, L.M. 586; 592; 645.
less ↑

Momordica charantia L., Sp. Pl. 1009. 1753.

Fig. 86. G-K

Herbaceous vine, creeping or climbing by axillary tendrils, attaining 8 m in length. Stems green, slender, subcylindrical, striate, villous; tendrils simple, 9-11 cm long. Leaves alternate; blades 3-11 × 3-10 cm, 5-7-lobed, membranaceous to chartaceous, the apex obtuse or acute, the base cordiform, the margins deeply undulate or dentate; upper surface dark green, dull, puberulous; lower surface yellowish green, dull, with prominent venation, puberulous; petioles slender, sulcate or slightly winged, villous, 3-6 cm long. Flowers solitary, axillary; peduncle elongate, with a foliose bract below the middle. Calyx yellowish green, campanulate, 10-12 mm long, the lobes lanceolate; corolla pale yellow, rotate, ca. 3.5 cm in diameter. Capsule ellipsoid-angular to fusiform, muricate, 3-5 cm long, changing from green to yellow-orange when mature, dehiscent at the apex by 3 valves; seeds pendulous, compressed, covered by a red and fleshy aril.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, very common.

Commentary: Momordica charantia has at least three forms that are cultivated for their edible fruits. These are known as “bitter melon” and “bitter gourd” and may attain up to 60 cm long. In Puerto Rico the wild form, not a cultivated one, is found, although there exists one collection (Sintenis 919), made in 1885, with fruits ca. 15 cm long, apparently from a cultivated plant.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2678; 2734; 4671; Britton, N.L. 16; Goll, G.P. 60; 310; Heller, A.A. 153; 4458; Sargent, F.H. 123; Shafer, J.A. 2520; Sintenis, P. 726; 919; Stevenson, J.A. 97.
less ↑

Cayaponia racemosa (Mill.) Cogn. in A.Dc. & C.Dc., Mon. Phan. 3: 768. 1881.

Fig. 80. C-G

Basionym: Bryonia racemosa Mill.

Climbing herbaceous vine, with axillary tendrils, attaining 10-15 m in length. Stems green, cylindrical, striate, glabrous, swollen at the nodes; tendrils trifid, 15 cm long or longer. Leaves alternate; blades entire or 3-7-lobed, 4-20 × 3-17 (25) cm, ovate, chartaceous or subcoriaceous, the lobes oblong, the apex acuminate or acute, the base cordiform or reniform, the margins spinulose; upper surface scabrid; lower surface light green, dull, with the reticulate venation prominent, puberulous; petioles sulcate or slightly winged, glabrous, 4-7 cm long. Flowers unisexual, in axillary racemes. Calyx pale green, crateriform or campanulate, 3-4 mm long, the lobes triangular; corolla greenish white, tubular, the tube ca. 3 mm long, pubescent inside, the lobes 3-5 mm long, reflexed. Berry ovoid, 10-12 mm long, green, turning orange when ripe; seeds 2-3, elliptical, ca. 8 mm long, not arillate.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common throughout Puerto Rico.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 9355; 10805; 11444; Axelrod, F. 4441; 6087; Britton, N.L. 1784; Stevenson, J.A. 772.
less ↑

Cayaponia americana (Lam.) Cogn. in A.Dc. & C.Dc., Monogr. Phan. 3: 785. 1881.

Fig. 80. A-B

Basionym: Bryonia americana Lam.

Herbaceous vine, slender, climbing or creeping, with axillary tendrils, attaining 10 m in length. Stems angular, glabrous or puberulous, swollen at the nodes; tendrils simple or branched, usually longer than the leaves. Leaves alternate; blades 5-20 × 5-18 (25) cm, chartaceous, ovate, palmatilobed, with 3-5 more or less deep lobes, oblong to linear, the apices acute, acuminate, or rounded, the base cordiform or lyrate, the margins entire or crenate; upper surface dark green, shiny, hispidulous, with the venation sunken and pubescent; lower surface yellowish green, dull, with the venation reticulate, prominent, and pubescent; petioles sulcate, puberulous, 2-7 cm long. Flowers solitary or in short racemes. Calyx green, campanulate, 5-9 mm long; corolla white or greenish yellow, minutely pubescent, the tube ca. 1 cm long, the lobes 12-15 mm long, oblong, reflexed; stamens exserted, the filaments greenish, pubescent at the base, the anthers yellow. Berry ellipsoid, 1.5-2 cm long, smooth, olive-green, turning orange or red-orange when ripe; seeds ovate, 0.8-1.2 cm long, not arillate.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from February to December.

Status: Native, very common throughout Puerto Rico.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 702; 1850; 2065; 2625; 2735; 3856; 7853; 10792; 10860; 10896; 11320; Axelrod, F. 5064; Britton, N.L. 128; 923; 1240; 4146; 7800; Heller, A.A. 4663; Liogier, A.H. 10468; 28920; Sargent, F.H. 615; Shafer, J.A. 2640; Sintenis, P. 1441; 2398; 5015; 5236; Stevenson, J.A. 5209; Wilson, P. 265.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

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.
less ↑

Melothria pendula L., Sp. Pl. 35. 1753.

Fig. 86. A-F

Synonyms: Bryonia guadalupensis Spreng.

Melothria guadalupensis (Spreng.) Cogn.

Herbaceous vine, much branched, which climbs by tendrils, attaining 1-2 (4) m in length. Stems slender, 2-3 mm in diameter, green, slightly striate, puberulous and with some minute hairs; tendrils axillary, simple, filiform, 6-9 cm long. Leaves alternate; blades ovate or 3-5-lobed, membranaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, mucronate, the base lyrate or cordiform, the margins crenate, repand, or denticulate; upper surface green, shiny, scabrid, with the venation flat; lower surface light green, dull, scabrid, with the venation slightly prominent; petioles shorter than the blade, sulcate. Staminate and pistillate flowers in the same raceme; peduncles 2-3 cm long. Calyx yellowish green, campanulate, ca. 5 mm long; corolla pale yellow, campanulate, ca. 5 mm long, with 5 deep lobes; stamens subsessile, adnate to the corolla tube, the anthers free, the pistil with an annular disc at the base. Berry ovoid, smooth, 1.5-1.8 cm long, olive green when ripe; seeds numerous, elliptical or ovate, ca. 5 mm long, not arillate.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2413; 5430; Britton, N.L. 1668; 2062; Goll, G.P. 180; 327; 328; 351; 608; 873; 874; Kuntze, C.E.O. 376; Sintenis, P. 897; Stevenson, J.A. 1797; Underwood, L.M. 35; 207; 349.
less ↑

Hylocereus trigonus (Haw.) Saff., Annual Rep. Board Regents Smithsonian Inst. 1908: 553. 1909.

Fig. 54. A-C

Basionym: Cereus trigonus Haw.

Much branched vine, which climbs by aerial roots and attains 10 m in length. Stems fleshy, 1.4-2 cm wide, lenticellate, triangular, with 3 or 4 prominent, undulate, longitudinal ribs, with a group of spines on each of the protuberances that are found along the margin; spines conical, 4-7 mm long, grayish or brown, usually in groups of 8. Flowers solitary, pendulous, 20-24 cm long, axillary to the group of spines or terminal on the branches; perianth infundibuliform; outer tepals fleshy, green, the basal ones ovate, ca. 2 cm long, the distal ones oblong, 3.5-7.5 cm long, the inner tepals white, turning yellowish when mature. Berries ovoid, pink-purple, 12-14 × 5-7 cm, with tepals of the hypanthium persistent; seeds numerous, minute, black, covered with a white gelatinous matrix.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from July to December.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2874; 5091; 7042; 11250; Britton, N.L. 1583; 1860; 1931; 2305; Hioram, B. 12; Shafer, J.A. 2834.
less ↑

Gouania lupuloides (L.) Urb., Symb. Antill. 4: 378. 1910.

Fig. 144. A-H

Basionym: Banisteria lupuloides L.

Synonym: Rhamnus domingensis Jacq.

Gouania domingensis (Jacq.) L.

Woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 7-12 m in length. Stems with many lateral branches; bark grayish, fissured. Branches cylindrical, green, glabrous or puberulent; tendrils simple, semicircular in form, basal to the inflorescences or terminal on short lateral branches. Leaves alternate, 4.5-7.5(10.5) × 2-4(6.5) cm, chartaceous, ovate or elliptical, glabrous or puberulent, the apex acute or short-acuminate, the base rounded or subcordiform, the margins serrate; upper surface dark green, shiny, with the venation sunken; lower surface pale green, slightly shiny, with prominent venation; petioles 0.5-1.5 cm; stipules 2-3 mm long. Inflorescences of racemes, terminal or on short axillary branches, 5-10 cm long, pubescent. Calyx pubescent outside, the sepals ca. 1 mm long, triangular, glabrous on the inner surface; petals yellowish, ca. 1 mm long, forming a hood that covers the stamen; stamens slightly shorter than the petals; disc ca. 1 mm high. Fruit a threewinged schizocarp, 5-7 mm long, dehiscent into 3 trigonal mericarps. Seeds 3-4 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering from August to March and fruiting from November to March.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2295; 3812; 7011; 7087; Goll, G.P. 230; 386; 582; Heller, A.A. 6104; Liogier, A.H. 10346; Shafer, J.A. 2356; 2860; Sintenis, P. 200; 1261; 1960; 2924; 5508; 5550; Stevenson, J.A. 385; 697.
less ↑

Cissampelos pareira L., Sp. Pl. 1031. 1753.

Fig. 125. A-J

Dioecious vine, slightly woody, twining, attainig 3-6 m in length. Stems slender, cylindrical, glabrous or pilose. Leaves alternate, chartaceous, broadly ovate to almost circular, 4-12 × 4-10 cm, the apex rounded, obtuse, emarginate, usually mucronate, the base cordiform, subtruncate, usually peltate; upper surface glabrous, yellowish green or grayish, dull; lower surface pale green, almost whitish, sparsely or densely pubescent, with the venation palmate, prominent, the margin revolute, crenate; petioles cylindrical, pubescent, 2-7 cm long, with the base swollen. Inflorescences of axillary cymes or cauliflorous; bracts of the pistillate inflorescences foliaceous, ovate, pilose. Flowers 1-1.5 mm long, greenish. Calyx pilose. Drupe globose, redorange, 4-5 mm in diameter, fleshy, partially covered by a bract. Seed horseshoe-shaped.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 826; 1868; 2219; 2439; 3126; 5343; 7090; 11312; Axelrod, F. 6003; Britton, N.L. 126; 667; Heller, A.A. 332; 1283; Otero, J. 564; Sargent, F.H. 223; Shafer, J.A. 2482; 3255; Sintenis, P. 326; 5186; 5354; Stevenson, J.A. 259; 435; 1971; Underwood, L.M. 305; 321; 350; 357; Wilson, P. 282.
less ↑

Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) A. H. Gentry, Brittonia 25: 236. 1973.

Fig. 3. D; 45. A-C

Basionym: Bignonia unguis-cati L.

Synonyms: Batocydia unguis (L.) Dc.

Doxantha unguis-cati (L.) Miers

Woody vine, which climbs by tendrils and attains 10-15 m in length. Stems cylindrical, lenticellate, up to 6 cm in diameter; cross section of the mature stem with multilobed xylem, the lobes alternating with radially arranged phloem tissue; nodes thickened; interpetiolar zone not glandular. Pseudostipules ovate, ca. 5 mm long. Leaves opposite, 2-foliolate, with a terminal tendril, trifid like a claw, generally of short duration; leaflets 6-16 × 1.2-7 cm, elliptical, oblong, or obovate, chartaceous or coriaceous, glabrous or with punctiform scales, the apex acute or acuminate, the base acute, rounded, or unequal, the margins undulate or rarely denticulate; upper surface dark, shiny, with sunken venation; lower surface light green, dull, with prominent venation; petioles 1-4.5 cm long, petiolules 0.5-2.5 cm long, both glabrous. Flowers solitary or in pairs, axillary; pedicel ca. 2 cm long. Calyx green, campanulate, 12-16 mm long, with 5 unequal lobes; corolla brilliant yellow, infundibuliform, 4-8 cm long, the limb 3-6 cm in diameter, with 5 unequal lobes, rounded; stamens 4, didynamous, inserted; ovary covered with punctiform scales. Capsule linear, somewhat woody, brown, 25-95 cm long; seeds numerous, 1-3.5 cm long, with 2 membranaceous wings.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2110; 2803; 3958; 9352; 11272; Axelrod, F. 4740; Britton, N.L. 66; Heller, A.A. 1233; Howard, R.A. 15754; Sargent, F.H. 74; Shafer, J.A. 2001; 2349; Sintenis, P. 550; 862; 1242; 1285; 1415; 3270; 5000; Underwood, L.M. 371; 782; Stevenson, J.A. 1757.
less ↑

Dicranopteris flexuosa (Schrad.) Underw., Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 34: 254. 1907.

Fig. 8. A-E

Basionym: Mertensia flexuosa Schrad.

Synonym: Gleichenia flexuosa (Schrad.) Mett.

Terrestrial fern. Rhizomes creeping, with deciduous setose trichomes. Fronds clambering or decumbent, 1-2 m long, forming a dense thicket difficult to penetrate; pinnae 4 times bifurcate, with a pair of accessory pinnae of reduced size and a tuft of rigid, reddish trichomes in the area of bifurcation; rachis cylindrical and brittle, the primary rachis with proleptic indeterminate growth, the secondary or tertiary rachis of determinate growth, the latter angular; secondary pinnules oblong-deltoid to linear, glabrous, the secondary venation 2-4 times bifurcate, the apex obtuse, the margins revolute; lower surface pale green, glabrous. Sori reddish brown, 0.2-0.4 mm in diameter.

Phenology: Probably found in fertile condition throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 9427; 9448; Britton, N.L. 8126; Heller, A.A. 4353; Hioram, B. 329; Proctor, G.R. 39416; 41104; 41158; Stevenson, J.A. 227; 3259; Underwood, L.M. 1286.
less ↑

Mimosa ceratonia L, Sp. Pl. 523. 1753.

Fig. 119. A-D

Synonym: Lomoplis ceratonia (L.) Raf.

Woody vine, climbing, much branched, that supports itself on other plants by means of spines that are borne along the length of its stem and leaf axes, attaining 2-6 m in length. Stems green or with a reddish tinge, obtusely quadrangular, glabrous, striate, with numerous recurved spines, becoming almost cylindrical and grayish when mature. Leaves alternate, 7-15 cm long, bipinnate; pinnae 4 or 5, pairs opposite; rachis sulcate, with numerous recurved spines; leaflets opposite, 3-8 pairs per pinna, 1-1.5 cm long, obliquely obovate to almost rounded, chartaceous, the apex rounded, the base rounded-obtuse, asymmetrical, the margins slightly revolute, sometimes ciliate; upper surface dark green, dull, glabrous; lower surface pale green, dull, with prominent venation; stipules 8-10 mm long, lanceolate. Heads 1.3-1.7 cm in diameter, in terminal racemes; peduncles 1-2 cm long, with numerous recurved spines. Calyx 0.7-1 mm long, glabrous; corolla pink, infundibuliform, ca. 2 mm long, with three petals or lobes; filaments white, 4-6 mm long. Legumes flattened, straight or slightly curved, 4-6 × 1.5-1.7 cm, coriaceous, dehiscent by the walls that separate from the thickened margin, covered with recurved spines. Seeds 7-8 mm long, oblongelliptical, flattened, dark brown.

Phenology: Flowering from June to January and fruiting from December to March.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 5152; 10512; Britton, N.L. 897; 1645; Goll, G.P. 406; Heller, A.A. 220; 6388; Shafer, J.A. 2717; Sintenis, P. 5050; Stevenson, J.A. 251; Underwood, L.M. 663.
less ↑

Neorudolphia volubilis (Willd.) Britton in Britton & Wilson, Bot. Porto Rico 5: 426. 1924.

Fig. 109. A-H

Basionym: Rudolphia volubilis Willd.

Woody vine, twining, attainig 5-10 m in length. Stems strong, flexible, cylindrical, slightly flattened and with numerous lenticels when mature. Leaves alternate, unifoliolate; leaflets coriaceous, (5)6-13 × 4-9 cm, ovate or broadly ovate, the apex long- or short-acuminate, the base cordiform or less frequently truncate, the margins entire or sinuate, revolute; upper surface dark green, slightly shiny, with slightly prominent venation and puberulent; lower surface yellowish green, with the reticulate venation prominent; petiolule thickened, pubescent, 4-5 mm long, with a pair of stipels at the base; petioles 2.5-5 cm long, sulcate, puberulent, with the base broadened. Inflorescences of cauliflorous or axillary pseudoracemes, pendulous, 12-24 cm long, the flowers in groups of 2-3 per node of the inflorescence; pedicels 10-12 mm long, pink; bracts minute, lanceolate. Calyx 2.5-3 cm long, pink, fleshy, almost campanulate, the sepals 5, two of which are broad and rounded, the remaining three lanceolate; corolla brilliant red, the standard ca. 5 cm long, oblong, folded in half longitudinally, enclosing the stamens, the remaining 4 petals (the wings and two petals homologous to the keel, which are not fused) ca. 1.5 cm long, linear and recurved; stamens 10, diadelphous, ca. 4 cm long, slightly exposed; ovary short-stipitate, with numerous ovules, the style slender, elongate, sericeous, the stigma punctiform. Fruit an oblong legume, flattened, 6-12 × 1-1.5 cm, pubescent, dehiscent by valves that open in a spiral. Seeds oblong or ovoid, 6-8 mm long, light brown.

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

Status: Endemic, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2984; Britton, N.L. 1059; 2010; Eggers, B. 1291; Shafer, J.A. 3227; Sintenis, P. 369; 1657; Stevenson, J.A. 240; Underwood, L.M. 91.
less ↑

Desmodium incanum Dc., Prodr. 2: 332. 1825.

Fig. 103. D-G

Synonym: Hedysarum canum J.F. Gmel.

Desmodium canum (J.F. Gmel.) Schinz & Thell.

Hedysarum supinum Sw.

Meibomia supina (Sw.) Britton

Decumbent or scandent herb, much branched from the woody base, attainig 1-1.5 m in length. Stems more or less cylindrical, appressedpubescent or pilose, glabrescent with age. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets 3-9 × 0.8-3.8 cm, elliptical, oblong, ovate, lanceolate, or exceptionally rounded, chartaceous, involute, the apex obtuse or acute, mucronate, the base obtuse or rounded, the margins entire; upper surface dark green, puberulent; lower surface grayish green, strigulose, with prominent venation; petiolules 1.5-3 mm long, pilose; petioles 0.7-3 cm long, pilose, canaliculate; rachis 3-10 mm long, pilose, canaliculate; stipules ovate to lanceolate, 6-10 mm long, persistent; stipels minute, subulate. Inflorescences of terminal pseudoracemes, 10-18 cm long, pubescent; bracts minute, persistent. Calyx green, campanulate, 2.5-3 mm long, strigulose; corolla pink or pink-violet, the standard ovate, 5-6 mm long, retuse, unguiculate at the base, the wings and the keel as long as the standard. Legume uncinate-pubescent, 2-4 cm long, crenate on the ventral suture, with 5-8 fertile segments. Seeds 2.5-3.5 mm long, oblongelliptical, light brown.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Apparently native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 864; 2291; 2518; 2785; 4159; 9417; 10492; 10587; 10925.
less ↑

Centrosema pubescens Benth., Ann. Wiener Mus. Naturgesh. 2: 119. 1837.

Fig. 100. G-I

Synonym: Bradburya pubescens (Benth.) Kuntze

Slightly woody vine, twining, attainig 8 m in length. Stems slender, appressed-pubescent. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets ovate, oblong, or elliptical, 3-8 × 1.6-4.5 cm, the apex acute or obtuse, the base rounded or obtuse, the margins entire; both surfaces glabrous to pubescent; upper surface with the venation sunken; lower surface with prominent venation; petiolules thickened, pubescent; petioles sulcate, almost quadrangular, 2-5 cm long, puberulent; stipels subulate, 2-2.5 mm long; stipules ovate, 2-4 mm long.

Flores solitary or in pairs at the end of bracteate, axillary peduncles, 5-10 cm long; bracts oblong, slightly longer than the calyx. Calyx asymmetrically campanulate, the tubular portion 5-7 mm long, with five very unequal lobes, the lateral ones deltate, ca. 1 mm long, the central ones subulate or linear, ca. 6 mm long; corolla pale violet, lavender, or less frequently yellowish or whitish with purple lines, the standard 2-4.5 cm wide, abaxially velvety, the wings and the keel shorter than the standard. Legume linear, 10-20 × 0.6 cm, the apex acuminate, with the margins ribbed, dehiscent by valves that twist on drying. Seeds 8-15 per fruit, oblong-quadrangular, dark brown, dull, 5-6 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering predominantly during the months from November to December, but may be found in flower from September to March.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 256; 1054; 6985; 9452; Axelrod, F. 10817; Britton, N.L. 2823; 6735; 7317; Heller, A.A. 210; 6084; Sargent, F.H. 122; Sintenis, P. 3080; 5588; Wetmore 175.
less ↑

Centrosema virginianum (L.) Benth., Comm. Legum. Gen. 56. 1837.

Fig. 100. J-M

Basionym: Clitoria virginiana L.

Synonym: Bradburya virginiana (L.) Kuntze

Slightly woody vine, twining, attainig 6-7 m in length. Stems slender, strong, cylindrical, finely pubescent. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets 2.5-7 × 0.5-2 cm (the terminal one longer than the lateral ones), lanceolate, oblong, ovate, or linear, chartaceous, the apex acute or obtuse, mucronate, the base cuneate to rounded, the margins entire or crenate, ciliate, both surfaces glabrous or puberulent; lower surface with prominent venation; rachis 0.7-1.5 cm long; petioles 2.3-2.8 cm long, slender, sulcate, thickened; stipels narrowly subulate, 4-5 mm long; stipules subulate, 3-5 mm long, persistent, markedly veined. Flowers 1-4, at the end of a bracteate axillary peduncle; bracts ovate or ovatelanceolate, persistent, notably veined. Calyx green, asymmetrically campanulate, with five subulate, subequal lobes, the tubular portion ca. 2 mm long, the lateral lobes ca. 5 mm long, the central lobes 7-8 mm long; corolla lilac or almost white, the standard broadly ovate, 3-4 cm wide, white in the center with purple lines, the wings and keel unguiculate, much shorter than the standard. Legume linear, 10-13 × 0.3-0.4 cm, the apex acuminate, the margins ribbed, dehiscent by valves that twist on drying. Seeds numerous, 3-4 mm long, oblong, brown or light brown with dark brown spots.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting almost throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 715; 823; 1929; 2318; 3896; 4409; 5426; 6959; 7851; 7881; 9414; 11227; 11383; Britton, N.L. 7; 262; 8125; Fisher, M.J. 8; Goll, G.P. 8; 144; 377; 526; Heller, A.A. 926; 6415; McKee 10603; Sargent, F.H. 355; Shafer, J.A. 2345; Sintenis, P. 2306; 3573; Stevenson, J.A. 17; 30; 729; 2198.
less ↑

Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth., J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 9: 125. 1865.

Fig. 111. A-D

Basionym: Dolichos phaseoloides Roxb.

Herbaceous vine, twining, much branched, attainig 15 m in length. Stems cylindrical, pilose. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets 3-12(14) × 2.9-8.7(13) cm, chartaceous, ovate or rhombic, the lateral ones asymmetrical, the apex acute, the base cuneate on the central leaflet, rounded-obtuse on the lateral ones, the margins entire; upper surface dark green, dull, pubescent, especially on the veins; lower surface pale green, strigose, with prominent venation; petiolules swollen, 4-5 mm long, pubescent; petioles sulcate, pubescent, up to 12 cm long, with the base swollen; stipules narrowly lanceolate, 3-5 mm long; stipels subulate, minute, persistent. Pseudoracemes axillary, up to 25 cm long, with 2-3 flowers per node; bracts minute, persistent; peduncles pubescent. Calyx campanulate, ca. 5 mm long. Legume linear, flattened, 6-9 cm long, slightly curved, dehiscent by valves that open in a spiral, the valves septate between the seeds. Seeds numerous, ca. 3 mm long, oblong, dark brown to almost black.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from November to March.

Status: Exotic, naturalized, very aggressive and very common.

Commentary: Apparently originally introduced on lands of the Agricultural Experiment Station in Mayagüez in Puerto Rico in 1940 from material from Malaya; today this species has a wide distribution throughout Puerto Rico.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 2411; 3740; 5432; 6966; Axelrod, F. 5819; 9472; Hermann, F.A. s.n.; Liogier, A.H. 10539; 10574.
less ↑

Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urb., Symb. Antill. 9: 457. 1928.

Fig. 107. E-J

Basionym: Phaseolus lathyroides L.

Synonym: Phaseolus semierectus L.

Erect or clambering herb, scarcely twining, with numerous basal or lateral branches, attainig 1.5-2(3) m in length. Stems almost cylindrical, up to 5 mm in diameter, pubescent, glabrescent. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets elliptical, ovate, or lanceolate, 3-5 × 2-3 cm, chartaceous, the apex mucronate, acute or obtuse, the base obtuse or cuneate, the margins entire; upper surface glabrous, dark green, dull; lower surface pale green, dull, puberulent, with prominent venation; petiolules thickened, pubescent, 2-3 mm long; petioles sulcate, pubescent, sometimes reddish, with the base thickened; stipules lanceolate, 5-10 mm long, with notable parallel venation; stipels subulate, minute. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes, 15-30 cm long, the flowers paired on the swellings on the distal portion of the rachis. Calyx campanulate, 5-7 mm long, strigose or puberulent, the sepals lanceolate, two of which are slightly smaller than the rest; corolla maroon, pink, and sometimes white, the standard 1-1.5 cm long, the wings longer than the standard, concave, the keel shorter than the standard, recurved in the form of a spiral. Legume linear, somewhat flattened and recurved, 6-12 cm × ca. 3 mm, dehiscent by valves that open in a spiral. Seeds numerous, 2-3 mm long, oblongreniform, dark brown.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Apparently native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 367; 860; 1854; 2117; 2757; 3879; 5187; 5393; 10715; 11362; 11498; Britton, N.L. 8786; Goll, G.P. 10; 149; Heller, A.A. 30; Liogier, A.H. 9966; Sargent, F.H. 91; Shafer, J.A. 2379; 2672; Sintenis, P. 376; Stevenson, J.A. 59; Underwood, L.M. 134; 164.
less ↑

Rhynchosia minima (L.) Dc., Prodr. 2: 385. 1825.

Fig. 111. E-H

Basionym: Dolichos minimus L.

Synonyms: Rhynchosia minima var. lutea Eggers

Rhynchosia minima var. pauciflora Kuntze

Dolicholus minimus (L.) Medic.

Non-woody vine, twining, attainig 1-4 m in length. Stems slender, densely pubescent, striate, cylindrical, with numerous resinous dots in the furrows. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate, chartaceous; margins entire, slightly revolute; upper surface dull, glabrous or white-pubescent, especially on the veins, with numerous orange resinous dots; lower surface pale green, glabrous, puberulent or pubescent, with minute orange resinous dots and the primary and secondary venation prominent; terminal leaflet rhombic, 0.9-2.8(7.5) × 0.6-2.8(6.3) cm, the apex acute or obtuse, the base cuneate; lateral leaflets asymmetrical, elliptical-ovate, slightly smaller than the terminal leaflet, the base obtuse; petiolules densely pubescent, 1-1.5 mm long; petiole striate, densely pubescent, 1.5-2 cm long; stipules subulate, 2-2.5 mm long, densely pubescent; stipels subulate, ca. 3 mm long. Inflorescence a raceme, as long as or longer than the leaves. Calyx green, the lobes lanceolate, 2-3 mm long; corolla yellow with purple or brown venation, the standard 5 mm long, orbicularovate; wings oblong, unguiculate, 4-5.5 mm long, with resinous dots. Legume falcate to oblongovate, flattened, minutely villous, 9-20 × 3-5 mm, with a beak at the apex. Seeds 2-3, ovate-reniform, dark brown to almost black, 3-4 mm long.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

Status: Probably exotic, naturalized, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 1957; 2337; 3921; 5374; 5398; 7222; 7776; 11274; Britton, N.L. 1857; Goll, G.P. 574; 733; Heller, A.A. 32; 4571; 6288; Johnston, J.R. 1157; Sargent, F.H. 587; Shafer, J.A. 2484; Sintenis, P. 117; 3140; 3888; 5493; Stevenson, J.A. 1157; 1351; Underwood, L.M. 212; 712.
less ↑

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

Fig. 172. A-E

Basionym: Asparagopsis setacea Kunth

Synonyms: Asparagus setaceus (Kunth) Jessop

Asparagus plumosus Baker

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

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7067; 9349.
less ↑

Chiococca alba (L.) Hitchc., Rep. Missouri Bot. Gard. 4: 94. 1893.

Fig. 146. A-H

Basionym: Lonicera alba L

Synonyms: Chiococca racemosa L.

Chiococca parvifolia Griseb.

Chiococca alba (L.) Hitchc. var. parvifolia (Griseb.) Urb.

Chiococca alba (L.) Hitchc. ssp. parvifolia (Griseb.) Steyerm.

Woody vine or shrub, twining, attainig 3-10 m in length. Stems sulcate, with numerous opposite lateral branches; cross section of the mature stem with several cortical vascular bundles. Leaves opposite, coriaceous, elliptical, lanceolate, ovate, or oblong, 3-8 × 1-3.5 cm, the apex obtuse, acute, or acuminate, the base obtuse or acute, the margins entire, revolute; upper surface dark green, dull; lower surface light green, dull, with the midvein prominent; petioles 4-7 mm long, glabrous or puberulent; stipules ca. 2 mm long, acicular. Flowers bisexual or pistillate, in axillary racemes, 2-5 cm long; pedicels 3.5-5 mm long. Hypanthium green, glabrous, laterally flattened, ca. 2 mm long, crowned by a crateriform calyx, 1-1.2 mm long, the sepals triangular, ca. 0.5 mm long; corolla infundibuliform, pentagonal, intense yellow, usually with reddish lines on the angles (purple in the floral buds), the tube 4.5-6 mm long, the lobes reflexed, 1.5-3 mm long; stamens slightly exserted, the filaments unequal, pilose, connate at the base into a short tube; style bilobate, exserted in the pistillate flowers. Fruit a circular drupe, laterally flattened, 5-7 mm long, fleshy, white when ripe.

Phenology: Flowering throughout the year and fruiting from June to March.

Status: Native, very common.

Commentary: There is too much variation in the characters that have been utilized to distinguish Chiococca alba from C. parvifolia, so that it is not possible to distinguish two species with certainty. For this reason, I consider C. alba in a broader sense, including C. parvifolia. On the other hand, in Puerto Rico there is another species of Chiococca that I consider to be in accordance with the original description of C. micrantha Johnst. This species is not included in this work, since it is of shrubby habit.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 162; 708; 1914; 2199; 2432; 2592; 3129; 3821; 5077; 5173; 7020; 7033; 7075; 7194; 7209; 9491; 10500; 11338; Axelrod, F. 4754; Britton, N.L. 1063; Fosberg, F.R. 44165; 51352; Holdridge, L. 232; Liogier, A.H. 9895; Sargent, F.H. 702; Shafer, J.A. 2945; 3792; Sintenis, P. 1; 278; 774; 1948; 2393; 2483; 3421; 6199; 6550; Stevenson, J.A. 269; 1798; Underwood, L.M. 157; 907; Webster, G.L. 8869.
less ↑

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

Fig. 174. A-E

Synonym: Rajania flexuosa Bello

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

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

Status: Exotic, naturalized, rather common.

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

Marcgravia rectiflora Triana & Planchon, Ann. Sci. Nat. Sér. 4, 17: 364. 1862.

Fig. 2F; 124. A-G

Synonyms: Marcgravia umbellata Griseb.

Marcgravia brittoniana Alain

Liana with two different morphological phases. Juvenile plants and branches climbing, ca. 1 m in length, sparsely branched, climbing by means of adventitious roots; stems flattened; leaves 1.5-2.5 cm long, ovate to oblong, retuse at the apex, very closely spaced. Adult plant attaining 10 m or more in length and with scandent or pendulous branches. Stems cylindrical, lenticellate, woody, flattened when adult, bilobate in cross section, attaining 2.5 cm wide. Leaves oblong or elliptical, 7-12.5 × 2.8-4 cm, coriaceous, glabrous, the apex acuminate, the base acute, obtuse, or less frequently rounded; the margins entire, with minute black dots; upper surface dark green, slightly shiny; lower surface yellowish green, with the midvein prominent, the secondary veins inconspicuous; petioles 2-3 mm long. Inflorescence an umbelliform raceme with 6-25 flowers and 1-3 nectaries in a central position, 3-3.5 × 0.4-0.5 cm; pedicels straight, 3.5-6 cm long, lenticellate; bracts 2, rounded, smaller than the sepals. Calyx green, 5-7 mm long, of 4 rounded sepals; corolla green, forming a calyptra, ca. 1 cm wide, early deciduous; stamens numerous, the filaments white; ovary green. Fruit globose, fleshy, light brown, lenticellate-rugose, 1.5-2 cm in diameter. Seeds numerous, minute, surrounded by a red pulp.

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

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 91; 581; 2198; 3736; 7145; 7151; 9404; 9457; Britton, N.L. 470; 2216; Heller, A.A. 359; Sintenis, P. 269; 1592; 4461; 5057; Stevenson, J.A. 5249; Underwood, L.M. 57; 823; 835.
less ↑

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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