Hippocratea volubilis
Sp. Pl. 2: 1191. 1753.
Revision as of 18:57, 16 December 2019 by FNA>Volume Importer
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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
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.