Lycianthes asarifolia
Gatt. Lycianthes, 423. 1929.
Illustrator:
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Herbs, stoloniferous or rhizomatous, hairs simple, eglandular. Stems creeping, rooting at nodes, pubescent to villous. Leaves mostly geminate (2d leaf often reduced, minute, caducous), glabrate; petioles of non-reduced leaves erect, 3–14(–23) cm; non-reduced leaf blades widely ovate to deltate, 2–12.5 × 1.6–12(–15) cm, base cordate to reniform, apex rounded to acute. Inflorescences solitary flowers. Pedicels erect, 4–9(–14) cm. Flowers: calyx campanulate, puberulent or glabrous, tube angled, 3–5 × 3–4 mm (accrescent in fruit to 12–14 mm diam.); corolla greenish white or yellow-white to white, 6–12(–15) mm; stamens slightly unequal; filaments 1–3 mm, glabrous; anthers yellow, 2.5–3.5 mm; ovary subglobose to conic, 1–2.7 mm; style exserted beyond anthers, 5–6 mm. Berries orange-red, compressed-globose or ellipsoid, 0.7–2.5 cm. Seeds 70–85 per fruit, 2–2.5 mm, (sclerotic granules not present).
Phenology: Flowering year-round.
Habitat: Residential areas, urban parks.
Elevation: 0–30 m.
Distribution
Introduced; La., Tex., South America.
Discussion
In the flora area, Lycianthes asarifolia is known only from Houston, Texas, and New Orleans, Louisiana, where it has become an invasive weed. The New Orleans population does not fruit and may be a self-sterile clone. The Houston populations bear fruit, outcompete other ground covers and lawn plants, and have the potential to invade other areas. Lycianthes asarifolia is native in South America, where it grows in moist forest or open habitats, including being weedy along roadsides and in croplands.
Selected References
None.