Stems to 10+ m. Leaves: stip­ules deltate, 3–4 × 1–1.5 mm; stipels striate, linear-deltate, 2–3.5 × 1 mm; leaflet blades ovate to subhastate, lateral blades obliquely ovate, 5–8 × 3–4 cm, base trinervate, apex acute to acuminate, surfaces glabrous or glabrate, hairs subadpressed. Peduncles 12–18 cm, covered with antrorse trichomes. Inflorescences 20–40 cm, rachis with 10+ floral nodes, each with 5 or 6 flowers; bracts subulate, 3 mm. Pedicels 3–6 mm; bracteoles ovate-elliptic, 2 mm, 3- or 4-veined. Flowers 1 cm; calyx purplish, 3–5 mm, lobes subequal, lateral lobes ovate, ciliate; banner greenish outside, inner face purple, 9–10 mm, length less than width, base auriculate and unguiculate, apex emarginate; wings purple, widely oblong, 8–9 mm, base auriculate, short-clawed; keel light purple, curved, 7.5–8.5 mm, base auriculate, short-clawed, apex slightly twisted to right; ovules 2 or 3. Legumes light brown with dark patterns, 4–6 × 2–3 cm, dehiscent first on adaxial suture, slightly twisting, valves pulverulent. Seeds 1 cm diam.; hilum 0.8–1.1 mm. 2n = 22.

Phenology: Flowering Sep–Nov.
Habitat: Shrublands.
Elevation: 100–500 m.

Distribution

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Tex., Mexico, West Indies (Bahamas, Cuba).

Discussion

Oxyrhynchus volubilis was described as O. alienus from plants grown in Austin, Texas. The species is now cultivated as an ornamental; there appears to be little information available about it in the flora area (G. L. Nesom 2009), and it may not be naturalized there.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.