Mikania batatifolia
in A. P. de Candolle and A. L. P. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 5: 197. 1836 (as batataefolia).
Stems obscurely 6-angled, sometimes winged on angles, often densely glandular, glabrous or puberulent; internodes 3.5–13 cm. Petioles 10–40 mm, glabrous, glandular. Leaf blades deltate-ovate, 1.5–6 × 1–5 cm, (subcoriaceous to somewhat fleshy) bases cordate to subcordate, margins usually hastately dentate to ± lobed (lobes divergent), apices acute to acuminate, faces glabrous (and gland-dotted). Arrays of heads corymbiform, 2–4 × 2–6 cm. Heads 4–6 mm. Phyllaries lanceolate to narrowly ovate, ca. 3.5 mm, apices acuminate (abaxial faces puberulent). Corollas white, ca. 3 mm, gland-dotted, lobes deltate. Cypselae brown, 1.5–2 mm, densely gland-dotted; pappi of ca. 40 white, barbellate bristles ca. 3 mm.
Phenology: Flowering year round.
Habitat: Woodlands, savannas, salt marshes, swamps, usually in oölite or coral soils
Distribution
Fla., West Indies (Bahamas, Cuba).
Discussion
J. K. Small (1933), B. L. Robinson (1934), R. W. Long and O. Lakela (1971), and W. C. Holmes (1981, 1993) recognized Mikania batatifolia. Hn. Alain (1962) referred M. batatifolia to M. micrantha Kunth, a common, polymorphic taxon of humid American tropics. A. Cronquist (1980) merged M. batatifolia with M. scandens. In reexamining the members of the M. scandens complex, which includes M. batatifolia (Robinson), it is apparent that M. batatifolia is distinct. Differences with M. scandens, including chemical evidence, were cited by Holmes (1981). For additional information, see Holmes (1981, 1993).
Selected References
None.