Asclepias curassavica L.
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Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.
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Family
Apocynaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Erect herb to 60 cm tall. Leaves opposite or less often in whorls of 3; blades glandless, 7-13 x 1.5-3.5 cm, elliptic, chartaceous, glabrous except for a few hairs on veins, the apex acuminate, the base obtuse or attenuate, the margins entire; petioles 0.5 -1 cm long. Calyx 5-6mm long, bell -shaped, pubescent, the sepals lanceolate; corolla orange, the petals oblong - elliptic, 4-6 mm long, reflexed; corona yellow; anthers lanceolate; stigma lobed. Follicle 6-9 x0.5 cm, spindle - shaped, smooth, straw colored at maturity. Seeds lenticular, brown, the hairs silky white.
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Discussion
Common names: kittie mcwanie, pretie guana, wild ipecacuana
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Distribution
A common weed along roadsides and in open or waste grounds. Bordeaux area (A1898), Susannaberg (A4680). Also on St. Croix, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda; in Florida, continental tropical America, and the West Indies.
West Indies| Florida United States of America North America| Virgin Gorda Virgin Islands South America| Tortola Virgin Islands South America| Saint Thomas Virgin Islands of the United States South America| Saint Croix Virgin Islands of the United States South America|