Securidaca diversifolia (L.) S.F.Blake
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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
Polygalaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - Liana, with short twining lateral branches, attaining 5-10 m in length. Stems cylindrical, strigulose. Leaves alternate, coriaceous, 3.5-9(12) x 1.7-3.5 cm, narrowly ovate, ovate, or oblong, the apex obtuse or short-acuminate, the base obtuse, the margins entire, revolute; upper surface puberulent, with the midvein flat; lower surface with prominent venation, minutely strigulose; petioles 2-4 mm long. Inflorescences of racemes, terminal on short (4-12 cm long) lateral branches, these with rounded leaves, < 1 cm long, at the base; pedicels 4-5 mm long, strigulose; calyx of 5nsepals, unequal, the 3 outer ones ca. 3 mm long, violet, rounded, strigulose, the inner ones petaloid, 8-10 mm long, violet, rounded; keel violet, ca. 8 mm long, the upper petals spathulate, violet, slightly shorter than the keel; ovary glabrous, the style curved, glabrous, the stigma truncate. Samara 3.5-4.2 cm long, hirsute, the wing with reticulate venation, 3-3.5 x 10-13 cm.
Phenology - Collected in flower in March, April, and July.
Conservation Status - Native or naturalized on St. Croix; cultivated in Puerto Rico and St. Thomas.