Jacquemontia havanensis

Title

Jacquemontia havanensis

Authors

Ethan H. Freid

Scientific Name

Jacquemontia havanensis (Jacq.) Urb.

Description

Common Names

None

Convolvulaceae

Jacquemontia havanensis grows as a vine becoming woody with age. The leaves are arranged alternately, to 9 cm in length, and linear to ovate. The leaf margin is entire with an acute or retuse leaf apex. Vegetative material may be glabrous or have stellate hairs.

The actinomorphic flowers are arranged in cymes, axillary clusters or are solitary. The calyx has 5 unfused, greenish sepals whose edges slightly overlap. The corolla has 5 fused, white (occasionally pale blue or pink) petals with elongate lobes. There are 5 stamens fused to the base of the corolla tube. The superior ovary has 2 locules and numerous seeds. The fruit is a brown capsule at maturity. The seeds are slightly winged.

Jacquemontia havanensis grows in Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formation – Forest/Woodland/Shrubland/Dwarf Shrubland as well as in Pine Woodlands and Beach Strand areas.

Jacquemontia havanensis occurs on all island groupings in the Bahamian Archipelago as well as Florida, the entire Caribbean region and Mexico and Central America.

Jacquemontia havanensis is not used medicinally in the Bahamas.