Matelea variifolia (Schltr.) 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 - Herbaceous vine, twining, 3-4 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems slender, cylindrical, puberulous, glabrescent, 2 mm or less in diameter; pubescence of curved, reflexed hairs. Leaves opposite; blades 4.5-10 x 2-4.5 cm, lanceolate, elliptical, or oblong, membranaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base acute, rounded, or cordiform, the margins entire; upper surface dark green, glabrous, with 2 acicular glands at the union with the petiole; lower surface pale green, glaucous, glabrous; petioles 0.8-4 cm long, with 2 lines of hairs along the upper surface. Flowers few, arranged in short-pedunculate cymes; pedicels 6-8 mm long. Calyx green, rotate, of 5 oblong-ovate sepals, 2-2.5 mm long; corolla rotate, pale green with dark green venation, 10-14 mm in diameter, the lobes rounded, imbricate, ca. 5 mm long; corona annular, green. Fruits unknown.
Phenology - Flowering from May to October.
Conservation Status - Endemic to Puerto Rico, uncommon.
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Discussion
After a careful study of the type specimen of Matelea borinquensis Alain, I have come to the conclusion that it represents Matelea variifolia. The type specimen of M. borinquensis {Alain et al. 35111) is too poor to characterize its morphology adequately. The size and shape given for the petals cannot be considered as valid because they are based on floral buds. In addition, the characterization of the corona ("lobis triangularibus 1.5 mm longis") can not be critically evaluated because it is not discernible on the specimen.