Maytenus phyllanthoides
Bot. Voy. Sulphur, 54. 1844.
Common names: Gutta-percha leather leaf mangle dulce
Illustrated
Synonyms: Tricerma phyllanthoides (Bentham) Lundell
Shrubs or trees 0.2–7 m. Stems erect to spreading, or decumbent to prostrate; branchlets erect or spreading, puberulent. Leaves: petiole 1–6 mm; blade oblong-elliptic to obovate, 1.5–5(–6) × 1–2.5(–3.5) cm, base cuneate or rounded, margins entire or remotely serrulate, sometimes wavy, apex obtuse to rounded, sometimes mucronate. Flowers: sepals reddish, rounded; petals 2–3 mm. Capsules bright red, 8–12 × 4–6 mm.
Distribution
Fla., Tex., Mexico, West Indies (Bahamas, Cuba).
Discussion
Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).
Recognition of two varieties follows G. L. Nesom (2009e).
Selected References
None.
Key
| 1 | Leaf blade bases cuneate; stems erect to spreading. | Maytenus phyllanthoides var. phyllanthoides |
| 1 | Leaf blade bases rounded; stems decumbent to prostrate. | Maytenus phyllanthoides var. ovalifolia |