Marcgravia
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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
Marcgraviaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - Clambering shrubs, usually epiphytic, with dimorphic branches and leaves; juvenile branches climbing by means of aerial roots, the internodes short, with leaves of reduced size; adult branches usually pendulous, with leaves 3-4 times as long as the juvenile ones. Leaves simple, entire, alternate, usually with dark glandular dots on the blade or the margin; petioles usually short; stipules absent. Flowers bisexual, in terminal umbelliform racemes; the peripheral flowers fertile, the central ones sterile, usually replaced by elongate nectaries with a cavity or pocket in which abundant nectar accumulates; bracteoles appressed to the calyx, similar in form to the sepals. Calyx of 4 decussate sepals; corolla in the form of a calyptra, deciduous; stamens 10 or more numerous, the filaments free; ovary superior, with 4- 1 2 carpels, with numerous ovules. Fruit a berry, globose or ovoid, with numerous seeds surrounded by a reddish aril. A genus of 45 species, distributed throughout the Neotropics.