Hippocratea volubilis
Sp. Pl. 2: 1191. 1753.
Revision as of 20:10, 27 May 2020 by imported>Volume Importer
Illustrator:
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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.