Marcgravia sintenisii Urb.
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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
Marcgraviaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - Plant with the juvenile phase morphologically different from the adult phase. Juvenile plant ca. 1 m in length, sparsely branched, climbing by means of adventitious roots; stems flattened; leaves 1.5-2 cm long, cordiform to almost rounded, with the margin crenate, very closely spaced. Adult plant developing into a woody vine, with scandent and pendulous branches, attaining 5-10 m in length. Stems cylindrical, 2-5 cm in diameter. Leaves alternate, changing from reddish to green when mature, 4.5-9 x 1.3-4 cm, coriaceous, elliptical, lanceolate, or oblong, the base obtuse to rounded, the apex acute or obtuse, the margins revolute; upper surface dark green, dull; lower surface light green, dull, with numerous scattered black dots, the midvein prominent; petioles 4-5 mm long. Inflorescence an umbelliform raceme with about 50 flowers and 7-9 reddish nectaries in a central position, 1.8-2 x 1-1.2 cm; pedicels geniculate, 1.5-3.5 cm long, with few lenticels; bracts minute, opposite, not near the flower. Calyx reddish, of 4 rounded sepals, ca. 2 mm long; corolla calyptrate, 3-5 mm long, reddish or green with an orange tinge, deciduous; stamens 10-11; ovary I ight orange, the stigma green. Fruit globose, reddish, ca. 1 cm in diameter, fleshy. Seeds numerous, ca. 1 mm long, pink or green.
Phenology - Flowering and fruiting from April to December.
Conservation Status - Endemic to Puerto Rico, common.
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Common Names
pegapalma