Tetrapterys Cav.
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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
Malpighiaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - Twining vines, or less frequently shrubs. Leaves simple, entire, opposite; petioles sometimes with glands; stipules minute, simple, interpetiolar. Flowers bisexual, in umbels or corymbs, grouped in axillary or terminal cymes or panicles; bracteoles usually on the distal portion of the peduncle. Calyx of 5 basally connate sepals, ovate or oblong, usually 4 of which are biglandular or less frequently all biglandular or eglandular. Petals yellow, unguiculate, glabrous, rounded, ovate, or elliptical, with the margins entire, denticulate, or crenate; stamens 10, slightly unequal, the filaments connate at the base, the anthers glabrous or pubescent; ovary superior, of 3 connate carpels, the styles 3, free, erect, usually one of them more slender, the stigmatic surface on the inner (adaxial) portion. Fruit a schizocarp with 2-3 samaroid mericarps with a narrow dorsal wing and 2 pairs of lateral wings forming an 'x.' A genus of 90 species, distributed from Mexico to Argentina, including the Antilles.