Cynophalla flexuosa

(Linnaeus) J. Presl in F. Berchtold and J. S. Presl

in F. Berchtold and J. S. Presl, Prir. Rostlin 2: 275. 1825.

Common names: Bay-leaved caper-tree limber-caper mimbre del monte
Basionym: Morisonia flexuosa Linnaeus Pl. Jamaic. Pug., 14. 1759
Synonyms: Capparis brevisiliqua de Candolle Capparis flexuosa (Linnaeus) Linnaeus
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 7. Treatment on page 197.
Revision as of 20:21, 24 September 2019 by FNA>Volume Importer

Plants 2–4 m. Stems ± terete, usually glabrous or glabrescent, rarely puberulent. Leaves: petiole 4–10 mm; blade 3–7(–9) × 2–4(–5) cm, coriaceous, base narrowly cuneate to rounded, apex emarginate, round, or acute, abaxial surface usually glabrescent, adaxial surface glabrous. Inflorescences (1–)2–6 cm. Pedicels 7–12 mm, (densely felted). Flowers nocturnal, fragrant; sepals orbiculate, decussate, proximal pair 5–7 × 10–12 mm, distal pair 3.5–5 × 1–1.5 mm, falling before anthesis, glabrous; petals white, becoming yellowish or reddish white, oblong-obovate, (10–)15–20 × 12 mm; stamens 40–60(–120) mm; gynophore 4–6(–8) cm. Capsules reddish brown to yellowish, irregularly constricted between seeds, 5–15(–28) × 9–13(–17) mm, seeds in 1 or 2 rows. Seeds green, 7–14 mm, covered with oily, white pulp. 2n = 16.


Phenology: Flowering spring–late summer.
Habitat: Coastal thickets, hummocks, marl flats
Elevation: 0-10 m

Distribution

V7 254-distribution-map.gif

Fla., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, n South America.

Discussion

Cynophalla flexuosa is wide-ranging and polymorphic; Floridian plants are sometimes recognized as subsp. flexuosa. Some South American plants are distinguished as subsp. polyantha (Triana & Planchon) H. H. Iltis.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Cynophalla flexuosa"
Gordon C. Tucker +
(Linnaeus) J. Presl in F. Berchtold and J. S. Presl +
Morisonia flexuosa +
Bay-leaved caper-tree +, limber-caper +  and mimbre del monte +
Fla. +, Mexico +, West Indies +, Central America +  and n South America. +
0-10 m +
Coastal thickets, hummocks, marl flats +
Flowering spring–late summer. +
in F. Berchtold and J. S. Presl, Prir. Rostlin +
Capparis brevisiliqua +  and Capparis flexuosa +
Cynophalla flexuosa +
Cynophalla +
species +