Hillia parasitica Jacq.
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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 - Clambering or epiphytic shrub, climbing by means of adventitious roots, attaining 2-3 m in length. Stems cylindrical, brown, with pendulous lateral branches. Leaves opposite, coriaceous, glabrous, 3.5-12 x 1.7-6.5 cm, elliptical or oblanceolate, the apex abruptly acuminate, revolute, the base acute, the margins entire, revolute; upper surface dark green, shiny, with the midvein yellowish; lower surface pale green, with the midvein slightly prominent; petioles cylindrical, 10-20 mm long; stipules oblong, 1-5.5 cm long, membranaceous, deciduous. Flowers solitary, terminal on lateral branches, subtended by a pair of oblong bracts, 15-18 mm long. Calyx tubular, 3-5 mm long, green; corolla white, the tube narrow, 6-10 cm long, the limb with 4-7 slender lobes, 2-4 cm long, spreading, reflexed at the apex. Capsule cylindrical, 5-12 cm long, laterally compressed. Seeds numerous, elliptical, ca. 1 mm long, with a tuft of silky fibers, ca. 2 cm long, in the apical portion.
Phenology - Flowering and fruiting almost throughout the year.
Conservation Status - Native, locally common.
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Common Names
hilia, flor de sierra, tibey trepador