Siphonoglossa sessilis (Jacq.) D.N.Gibson
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Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.
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Family
Acanthaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Erect herb, 10-20 cm tall, usually many-branched from a semi woody base; stems slender, cylindrical, with a line of hairs along one side. Leaf blades 2-5 x 0.8-2.6 cm, lanceolate, ovate or elliptic, chartaceous, pubescent or glabrescent, the apex acute, obtuse or rounded, sometimes with a short apiculum, the base obtuse or cordate, the margins ciliate, entire, less often crenate or lobed; petioles slender and short. Flowers solitary in leaf axil, but sometimes appearing congested because of short, lateral branches bearing flowers; bracts awl-shaped and minute. Calyx funnelshaped, with 4 deeply cleft, lanceolate sepals, 4-5 mm long; corolla lavender, 1.2-2.5 cm long. Capsule ca. 1 cm long, clubshaped, with scattered glandular hairs. Seeds ca. 2 mm long, lenticular, yellowish brown and verrucose, 4 per capsule.
Distribution and Ecology - In open disturbed areas. Adrian Ruins (A2648), Lameshur (A2746, B641). Also on St. Croix, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda; Puerto Rico, St. Martin to Guadeloupe, Trinidad, Margarita Island, and Colombia.
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Discussion
Justicia pauciflora Vahl, Eclog. Amer. 1: 2. 1797. Justicia borinquensis Britton in Britton & P. Wilson, Bot. Porto Rico 6: 217. 1925