Stegnosperma cubense A.Rich.
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Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro. 2005. Vines and climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 51: 1-483.
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Family
Stegnospermataceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - Erect, clambering, or creeping shrub, with numerous lateral branches, attaining 1.5-5 m in length. Stems cylindrical, glabrous, dark gray, with minute lenticels. Leaves alternate, coriaceous or chartaceous, elliptical, 1.2-6 x 0.9-2.7 cm, the apex obtuse or less frequently acute or rounded. the base obtuse, the margins crenulate; upper surface dark green, dull, with inconspicuous venation; lower surface light green, dull, with the midvein prominent; petioles 4-10 mm long; stipules absent. Flowers fragrant, in racemes at the end of short axillary branches, up to 7 cm long; peduncle glabrous; pedicels 2-3 mm long. Sepals 5, white, ca. 2.5 mm long, elliptical, more or less concave; petals 5, white, elliptical, 2.5-3 mm long; stamens 10, the filaments connate at the base; ovary superior, with 3-5 carpels, stigmas 3-5, sessile, elongate. Fruit a reddish capsule, ovoid, 4-5.5 mm long, opening by 3-4 woody valves. Seeds ellipsoid, black, shiny, ca. 4 mm long, covered by a white to pink aril.
Phenology - Collected in flower from June to September and from November to January and in fruit from January to March and from August to September.
Conservation Status - Probably exotic, cultivated, probably naturalized.