Gonocalyx portoricensis (Urb.) A.C.Sm.
-
Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro. 2005. Vines and climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 51: 1-483.
-
Family
Ericaceae
-
Scientific Name
-
Description
Description - Clambering shrub attaining 3 m in length. Stems much blanched, slender, cylindrical, dark brown, the twigs reddish, densely pubescent. Leaves alternate, reddish when young, circular or broadly ovate, convex, rigid, 0.8-2 x 0.6-1.2 cm, the apex obtuse or rounded, mucronate, the base obtuse or rounded, the margins markedly revolute, entire or denticulate; upper surface green, shiny, glabrous, with the midvein sunken; lower surface pale green, shiny, glabrous or with scattered papilliform hairs, with the midvein prominent and the lateral venation inconspicuous; petioles 1.5-3 mm long. Flowers solitary, axillary, pendulous; peduncle 6-12 mm long. Calyx campanulate, with 5 longitudinal ribs, 3-3.5 mm long; corolla tubular, pale pink or white, ca. 16 mm long, with 5 erect, deltate lobes; stamens 10, the filaments ca. I mm long, pubescent on the upper margin, the anthers with the distal, tubular portion of the theca 4-5 times longer than the theca, not exserted; ovary inferior, the style thick. the stigma white, slightly exserted. Fruits depressed-globose, white or red, 4-7 mm in diameter.
Phenology - Flowering and fruiting from the end of January to August.
Conservation Status - Endemic to Puerto Rico, rather common.