Tragia volubilis L.
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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
Euphorbiaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - Climbing or creeping vine, twining, attaining 1-3 m in length. Stems slender, with appressed and glandular stinging hairs. Leaves alternate, usually clustered on short lateral branches, membranaceous, oblong, ovate, or lanceolate, 2-8 x 0.9-4 cm, the apex acuminate, the base subtruncate or cordiform, the margins serrate; upper surface pale green, with stinging glandular hairs, the midvein slightly prominent; lower surface pale green, with prominent venation, puberulent; petioles slender, 0.3-6 cm long; stipules subulate, ca. 4 mm long. Flowers greenish, in axillary racemes. Staminate flowers numerous, along the length of the inflorescence. Calyx 0.8-1 mm long; stamens 2-3. Pistillate flowers on long pedicels at the base of the raceme. Calyx ca. 1 mm long, pilose; ovary hispid. Capsule with three rounded lobes, ca. 7 mm in diameter, covered with stinging hairs. Seeds globose, ca. 2 mm in diameter, brown, smooth.
Phenology - Flowering and fruiting almost throughout the year.
Conservation Status - Native, rather common.
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Common Names
pringamosa, bran nettle