Calopogonium caeruleum (Benth.) C.Wright
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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
Fabaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - Slightly woody vine, twining, with many lateral branches, attaining 10 m in length. Stems slender, cylindrical, villous-pubescent on the younger portions. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets chartaceous, 5-10.5 x 3-8 cm, the apex obtuse or less frequently rounded, the base of the distal leaflet cuneate, that of the lateral ones asymmetrical and obtuse-truncate, the margins undulate, revolute; upper surface dark green, dull, pubescent, especially on the sunken venation; lower surface pale green, pubescent, with the venation yellowish, prominent. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes, 12-45 cm long, with 4-5 flowers grouped on small mounds along the rachis; rachis thick, cylindrical, pubescent; pedicels ca. 5 mm long, pubescent. Calyx campanulate, 5-7 mm long, appressed-pubescent, the sepals lanceolate, 2.5-4 mm long; corolla blue, the standard ca. 1 cm long, oblanceolate. Legume tomentose, 3-8 x 0.7-1.0 cm, flattened, with the margins compressed between the seeds and the calyx persistent at the base. Seeds almost square, reddish brown, shiny, 4-5 mm wide.
Phenology - Flowering from November to February and fruiting from February to April.
Conservation Status - Exotic, naturalized, common.