Dichorisandra hexandra (Aubl.) Standl.
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Authority
Mori, S. A., et al. 1997. Guide to the vascular plants of central French Guiana: Part 1. Pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and monocotyledons. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 76: 1-422.
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Family
Commelinaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Lax herbs to vine-like, the stems prostrate or subscandent, 1-2 m long, nearly glabrous. Leaf sheaths (1)1.5-2.5 cm long, cylindrical, hirtellous, densely ciliate at mouth; petiole short but distinct; blade variable, usually oblong, from ovate to linear-oblong, with distinct, often long-acuminate apex, rounded or subcuneate and often asymmetrical at base, 4-17 X 1.5-5.5 cm, usually glabrous, sometimes puberulous or pubescent. Thyrses terminal, sessile or pedunculate, ovate or oblong, dense, 3-6 X 2-5 cm, ± hirtellous, the bracts of cincinni usually ca. 10 mm long. Flowers: sepals 8-10 X 4 - 5 mm, oblong, obtuse, abaxially puberulous, persistent, greenish white or somewhat violet, paler at base, two of them navicular and distinctly cucullate; petals to 15 mm long, the base white, the apex bright blue to violet; filaments 2-3 mm long, glabrous, flat, the anthers large, cordate at base, linearoblong, 5-6 X 1.5-2 mm, violet; style bright violet. Fruits broadly ellipsoid, truncate or refuse at apex, verrucose, sessile, subcoriaceous, yellow to red, turning violet to blackish. Seeds 1-3(5) per locule, when >1 then in 2 rows, embedded in fleshy, red arils, various in form, 4-6 mm diam., with black, radially wrinkled testa.