Dioscorea bulbifera L.
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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
Dioscoreaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - Non-woody vine, twining, attaining 8 m or more in length. Stems glabrous, more or less cylindrical. Leaves alternate, ovate. 9-11-veined, membranaceous, 9-12.5(17) x 6.5-11(15.5) cm, the apex acuminate or caudate, the base cordiform; upper surface shiny, the venation slightly prominent; lower surface dull, the venation prominent; petiole 12-15 cm long, the base winged, enclosing the stem on each side like a semicircular pseudostipule; bulbils rounded, 5-6 cm wide, verrucose. Inflorescences axillary, simple, fasciculate; the staminate ones usually in pairs, 9-15 cm long, with the flowers grouped in lateral stipitate cymes; the pistillate ones ca. 12 cm long, with the flowers solitary. Flowers minute, sessile, white to pink; staminate flowers with the perianth ca. 1.2 mm long; fertile stamens 6, adnate on the corolla; pistillate flowers with the perianth ca. 1.4 mm long and the hypanthium ca. 2 mm long. Capsules 3-winged, ca. 2.5 cm long.
Phenology - Flowering and fruiting from August to October.
Conservation Status - Exotic, locally common.
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Common Names
gunda