Metastelma grisebachianum Schltr.

  • Authority

    Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.

  • Family

    Apocynaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Metastelma grisebachianum Schltr.

  • Description

    Species Description - Herbaceous twining vine to 6 m long; stems cylindrical, green, slender. Leaf blades 1-2 x 0.6-1.2 cm, ovate to lanceolate, chartaceous, glabrous, except for a few hairs on margins and petioles, the apex acute to obtuse and apiculate, the base subcordate or truncate, with a pair of minute filiform glands on upper surface, at petiole junction, the margins entire; petioles 0.3-0.5 cm long; stipules minute and interpetiolar. Calyx ca. 1 mm long; corolla bell-shaped, light green externally, whitish within, ca. 2.5 mm long, the lobes acute, spreading; corona of 5 filiform segments; stamens nearly sessile, inserted near the base of corolla. Fruit with 2 linear follicles, 3.5-5 cm long, smooth, turning from green to straw-colored at maturity. Seeds numerous, with a tuft of hairs at apex.

  • Discussion

    Metastelma decaisneanum Schltr. in Urb., S y m b . Ant. 1: 250. 1899, non Benth. & Hook., 1876. Cynanchum decaisneanum (Schltr.) Alain, Mem. Soc. Cub. Hist. Nat. "Pelipe Poey" 22: 119. 1955, non R. W . Holm, 1953. Metastelma albiflorum sensu Schltr. in Urb., Symb. Ant. 1: 250. 1899, non Griseb., 1862.

  • Distribution

    Common in most parts of the island. Southside Pond (A1815), Turner Bay (A3106). Also on St. Croix, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda; Puerto Rico and the Lesser Antilles.

    West Indies| Saint John Virgin Islands of the United States South America| Puerto Rico South America| Virgin Gorda Virgin Islands South America| Tortola Virgin Islands South America| Saint Thomas Virgin Islands of the United States South America| Saint Croix Virgin Islands of the United States South America|