Gouania lupuloides (L.) Urb.
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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
Rhamnaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - Woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 7-12 m in length. Stems with many lateral branches; bark grayish, fissured. Branches cylindrical. given, glabrous or puberulent: tendrils simple, semicircular in form, basal to the inflorescences or terminal on short lateral branches. Leaves alternate, 4.5-7.5(10.5) x 2-4(6.5) cm, chartaceous, ovate or elliptical, glabrous or puberulent, the apex acute or short acuminate, the base rounded or subcordiform, the margins serrate; upper surface dark green, shiny, with the venation sunken; lower surface pale green, slightly shiny, with prominent venation; petioles 0.5-1.5 cm; stipules 2-3 mm long. Inflorescences of racemes, terminal or on short axillary branches, 5- 1 cm long, pubescent. Calyx pubescent outside, the sepals ca. 1 mm long, triangular, glabrous on the inner surface; petals yellowish, ca. 1 mm long, forming a hood that covers the stamen; stamens slightly shorter than the petals; disc ca. 1 mm high. Fruit a three-winged.
Phenology - Flowering from August to March and fruiting from November to March.
Conservation Status - Native, very common.
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Common Names
bejuco indio, bejuco de sopla, sopla, chow stick, soap stick, soap vine, white root