Cardiospermum
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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
Sapindaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - Herbaceous vines or erect herbs, lacking latex. Stems simple (cross section with a single vascular cylinder), angular. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate or biternate; leaflets chartaceous; rachis and petioles not winged; stipules minute and caducous. Tendrils spirally twisted, in pairs on the axis of the inflorescence (this sometimes not developed), vestigial in the non-climbing species. Inflorescence of axillary thyrses, with flowers grouped in lateral scorpioid cymes; pedicels articulated at the base; calyx of 4 or 5 sepals; petals 4, with a petaliferous appendage on the inner surface; floral disc unilateral, with 2 or 4 glands; stamens 8, the filaments unequal; ovary superior, 3-carpellate, the style simple, with 3 stigmatic branches. Fruit an inflated capsule, membranaceous, septicidal; seeds one per locule, globose or ellipsoid, with a white reniform or cordiform scar at the base. A genus of neotropical origin, of approximately 15 species, 3 of which have a pantropical distribution.