Oxypetalum cordifolium (Vent.) Schltr.
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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, attaining 4 m in length, with abundant milky latex. Stems cylindrical, pubescent, ca. 3 mm in diameter. Leaves opposite; blades 4-10 x 4-6 cm, ovate, pubescent, the apex acuminate or cuspidate, the base deeply cordiform, the margins entire; upper surface dull green, with 5 acicular glands at the union with the petiole; lower surface pale green, dull, with slightly prominent venation; petioles pubescent, slender, 2-3 cm long. Flowers few, arranged in umbelliform cymes; peduncle ca. 2 cm long; pedicels 1-1.5 cm long. Calyx crateriform, green, the sepals linear-lanceolate, subulate, pubescent on the outer surface, 3.5-4 mm long; corolla campanulate, yellowish or light green, pubescent outside, the tube ca. 4 mm long, the lobes linear-attenuate, 1 .5-2 cm long; corona of cuneate-spathulate segments, fleshy, ca. 2.5 mm long; pollinia with an acicular appendage in the area where they connect to the translator arms; stigmatic branches ca. 5 mm long. Follicles fusiform, ca. 8 cm long.
Phenology - Collected in flower in May.
Conservation Status - Native, extremely rare.