Diodia sarmentosa Sw.
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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
Rubiaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - Scandent or decumbent herb, attaining 3-5 m in length. Stems quadrangular, hispidulous or puberulent, retrorsely pubescent on the angles. Leaves opposite, membranaceous, elliptical or oblong-lanceolate, 2.5-7.3 x 0.9-2.8 cm, the apex acute or acuminate, the base attenuate, the margins entire, revolute; upper surface dull, scabrous, with the venation sunken; lower surface scabrous, puberulent, with prominent venation; petioles 1 mm long; stipules connate at the base. with numerous acicular projections up to 5 mm long. Flowers bisexual, in axillary fascicles, sessile. Hypanthium green, glabrous, obovoid, ca. 2.5 mm long, crowned by 4 long-triangular lobes, ca. 1.5 mm long, pubescent; corolla tubular, ca. 2.5 mm long, white, the lobes 5, ca. 0.5 mm long; stamens included. Fruit schizocarpous. opening in two indehiscent longitudinal halves, each containing one seed inside. Seeds dark brown, oblong, slightly flattened on one side, ca. 3 mm long.
Phenology - Flowering from July to April and fruiting from September to April.
Conservation Status - Native, locally common.