Tragia volubilis L.

  • Authority

    Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.

  • Family

    Euphorbiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Tragia volubilis L.

  • Description

    Species Description - Twining herbaceous vine, many-branched from a semi woody base; branches to 3 m long, covered with appressed, minute hairs and also glandular, stinging hairs. Leaves alternate, often congested on short, lateral branches; blades 2-8 x 0.9-4 cm, oblong, ovate, or lanceolate, membranous, upper surface usually with glandular stinging hairs, the apex acuminate, the base nearly truncate or cordate, the margins serrate; petioles slender, 0.3-6 cm long; stipules awl-shaped, ca. 4 mm long. Racemes axillary, with greenish flowers. Staminate flowers numerous, 1 per node, distributed along entire inflorescence; calyx 0.8-1 mm long; stamens 2 or 3, short. Pistillate flowers on pedicel at base of racemes; calyx ca. 1 mm long, pilose; ovary hispid. Capsule of 3 rounded cocci, 7 mm diam., covered with stinging, hispid hairs. Seeds globose, ca. 2 mm diam., brown, smooth.

  • Discussion

    Common names: bran nettle, creeping cowitch, stinging nettle.

    Note: Contact with this plant causes a severe rash and a burning sensation that can last for nearly half an hour.

  • Distribution

    A common weed of disturbed dry areas, but also in humid forests. Bethany (B204), Cinnamon Bay (Ml7008), Susannaberg (A703). Also on St. Croix, St. Thomas, and Tortola; throughout tropical 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|