Capraria biflora L.

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Scrophulariaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Capraria biflora L.

  • Description

    Species Description - Erect subshrub 50-70 cm tall, branching along main stem or sometimes many-branched from a subwoody base; stems cylindrical, pilose. Leaf blades 2.5-6.5 x 1-1.7 cm, oblanceolate or obovate, chartaceous, pilose, the apex acute or obtuse, the base cuneate to obtuse, the margins serrate toward distal portion; petioles 0-1 mm long. Flowers paired in leaf axils or less often solitary or 3; pedicels 2-8 mm long, slender, pilose. Sepals oblong-linear, 4-5 mm long; corolla white, glabrous, 6-9 mm long, the lobes 5, oblong, acute at apex; stamens nearly exserted, the filaments to 2 mm long, the anthers ca. 1 mm long; ovary ovoid, glabrous, the style cylindrical, elongate, the stigma capitate, exserted. Capsule ovoid, grooved, ca. 5 mm long; seeds numerous, wedge-shaped, to 0.5 mm long.

  • Discussion

    Common names: goat weed, kabrita rotin.

  • Distribution

    A common plant of open disturbed areas, especially along sandy beaches. Center Line Road (A633), Waterlemon Bay (A1936). Also on St. Croix and St. Thomas; throughout tropical America.

    Saint Thomas Virgin Islands of the United States South America| Saint Croix Virgin Islands of the United States South America|