Chamissoa altissima (Jacq.) Kunth
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Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro. 2005. Vines and climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 51: 1-483.
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Family
Amaranthaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - Liana or woody shrub, clambering, 3-15 m in length, with numerous pendulous branches. Stems angular when young and cylindrical when mature, up to 3 cm in diameter, glabrous; cross section of the stem with bands of vascular tissue alternating with very narrow bands of parenchymatous tissue. Leaves alternate; blades 8-14 x 3-7 cm, elliptical, ovate, or elliptic-ovate, chartaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base rounded, the margins undulate; upper surface slightly shiny, puberulous; lower surface pale green, dull, with prominent venation; petioles slender, usually reddish, 2-4.5 cm long. Flowers in terminal panicles, 4-16 cm long. Perianth white to greenish, with five ovate tepals, concave, acute, ca. 3 mm long, glabrous; stamens 5; stigma bifid. Capsule ovoid, truncate at the apex, membranaceous, turning from green to white, 3-4 mm long; seeds dark brown, shiny, completely covered by a white arillode
Phenology - Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.
Conservation Status - Native, very common.