Tetrapterys inaequalis Cav.

• Authority

  Britton, Nathaniel L. Flora Borinqueña.

• Family

  Malpighiaceae

• Scientific Name

  Tetrapterys inaequalis Cav.

• Description

  Species Description - It has been suggested that this long, woody, yellow-flowered vine, frequent in Porto Rico, and distributed from Santo Domingo, eastward in the Virgin Islands, and southward through the Lesser Antilles, is specifically the same as the similar Tetrapteris citrifolia of Jamaica; if this identity is certainly determined, the specific name citrifolia, published in 1788, has two years priority. In Porto Rico, and on Vieques Island, this vine inhabits thickets, woodlands and river-banks at lower and middle elevations, conspicuous when in bloom, the flowers followed by curious, 4-winged fruits. Only 1 species of the genus inhabits Porto Rico. Tetrapteris (Greek, referring to the 4-winged fruits) is a genus of woody, much-branched vines, with 60, or more, species of tropical America, established by the Spanish botanist Cavanilles in 1790, with the species here illustrated typical. They have deciduous, mostly untoothed leaves, and clustered flowers at the ends of branches. The calyx usually bears 8 glands; there are 5 petals, 10 stamens, and the pistil has a 3-lobed ovary, and 3 styles. The 4-winged fruits (samaras) are crested, the 2 upper wings usually larger than the lower ones. Tetrapteris inaequalis (unequal, referring to the samara-wings) may become 6 meters long, or longer. The ovate, pointed, nearly or quite smooth leaves are from 6 to 16 centimeters long. The flowers are usually many in the clusters; the ovate sepals are 3 or 4 millimeters long, the 8 glands shorter; the bright yellow petals, ovate, or nearly orbicular, are from 6 to 8 millimeters long. The samaras are hairy, and 3 or 4 centimeters long.

• Discussion

  Bejuco de sopla Tetrapteris Malpighia Family Tetrapteris inaequalis Cavanilles, Dissertatio Botanica 9: 433.1790.