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Vines 20–25 m. Stems much-branched, ascending, green. Leaves: blade elliptic to ovate or obovate, 5–14 × 2–8 cm. Inflorescences 4–12 cm, brownish tomentulose or puberulent. Flowers 4–8 mm diam.; sepals 0.5–1.2 mm; petals 2.5–4 mm. Capsules 4–8 × 1.5–5 cm. Seeds 1.3–2.5 × 4–7 mm, wing obovate-oblong, 2–4 cm.

Phenology: Flowering spring–summer; fruiting fall–winter.
Habitat: Hammocks, stream banks, shores, mangrove and hardwood swamps.
Elevation: 0–10 m.

Distribution

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• Legacy Map

Fla., s Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America.

Discussion

Hippocratea volubilis often climbs to the tops of trees, binding itself and the supporting vegetation into an impenetrable network.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.