Tetrapterys inaequalis 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 - Woody vine, twining, attaining 5-10 m in length. Stems cream-colored, cylindrical, sericeous-tomentose when young, glabrous when mature. Leaves opposite, chartaceous, elliptical oblong or ovate, 4-15 x 3-6(8.9) cm, the apex obtuse, acute, or acuminate, the base obtuse, rounded, or subcordiform, sometimes unequal, the margins undulate or entire; upper surface dark green, slightly shiny, glabrescent; lower surface dull, glabrous or puberulent, with prominent venation and usually sericeous-tomentose; petioles 0.6- 1.5 cm long, sericeous-tomentose or glabrous, slightly sulcate; stipules oblong to laneeolate, 5-6 mm long, sericeous-tomentose, early deciduous, leaving an annular scar. Inflorescences formed by short branches with numerous umbels of 4 flowers; peduncles sericeous-tomentose; pedicels sericeous-tomentose, 6-9 mm long, articulated in the middle; bracts minute. Calyx of 5 green sepals, ovate. 2-3 mm long, 4 of which have a pair of glands outside at the base. Petals yellow, 5-7 mm long, the base unguiculate, orange, the limb ovate. Mericarps 2.5-3 cm long, with two pairs of wings, the distal ones ca. 20 x 5 mm, the basal ones ca. 10 x 2.5 mm.
Phenology - Collected in flower from September to November and in fruit from November to March.
Conservation Status - Native, uncommon.
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Common Names
bejuco de paralejo, bejuco de sopla