Matelea maritima (Jacq.) Woodson
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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
Apocynaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - Slightly woody vine, twining, 5-7 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems densely pubescent and sulcate when young, whitish and corky when mature, 4 mm or more in diameter. Leaves opposite; blades 4-10.5 x 3-7.5 cm, ovate, chartaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base cordiform, the margins entire; upper surface dull, pubescent, with 2 (3-7) acicular glands in the area adjacent to the petiole: lower surface pale. densely pubescent, the venation yellowish; petioles cylindrical, densely pubescent, 2-7 cm long. Flowers few, in small axillary cymes. Calyx green, rotate, ca. 2 mm in diameter, the sepals ovate or lanceolate, pubescent; corolla rotate, greenish, 4-6 mm in diameter, the petals ovate, not imbricate; corona yellowish green, with short and rounded lobes. Follicles ovoid-fusiform, green, 5-8 x 3.5-4.5 cm, pubescent, verrocose; seeds numerous, brown, with long, white, silky hairs.
Phenology - Flowering from October to November and fruiting from December to March.
Conservation Status - Native, very common.
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Common Names
guanabanilla cimarrona, pompon, beach milk vine