Argyreia

Loureiro

Fl. Cochinch. 1: 95, 134. 1790.

Common names: Elephant creeper Hawaiian wood-rose
Introduced
Etymology: Greek argyros, silver, alluding to abaxial leaf surface appearance
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 14.

Perennials. Stems twining-climbing, white-hairy when young, glabrescent. Leaves petiolate; blade ± cordate-ovate, [40–]180–270 mm; surfaces: abaxial white-hairy, adaxial glabrous or glabrate. Inflorescences cymose. Flowers: sepals ovate [various], [3–]15–20 mm; corolla lavender [purple, red, rose, or white], funnelform [campanulate or tubular], [30–]60–65[–85] mm, limb 5-lobed to nearly entire; styles 1; stigmas 2, globose. Fruits berrylike, ellipsoid to globose, fleshy, indehiscent. Seeds 1–4, ovoid, usually glabrous, rarely hairy on hilum. x = 15.

Distribution

Introduced; Florida, Asia, Australia, introduced also in Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America (Venezuela), Africa.

Discussion

Species ca. 90 (1 in the flora).

Argyreias are widely cultivated.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

... more about "Argyreia"
Daniel F. Austin† +
Loureiro +
Elephant creeper +  and Hawaiian wood-rose +
Florida +, Asia +, Australia +, introduced also in Mexico +, West Indies +, Central America +, South America (Venezuela) +  and Africa. +
Greek argyros, silver, alluding to abaxial leaf surface appearance +
Fl. Cochinch. +
Introduced +
Argyreia +
Convolvulaceae +