Cordia polycephala (Lam.) I.M.Johnst.

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Boraginaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Cordia polycephala (Lam.) I.M.Johnst.

  • Description

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    Species Description - Scandent shrub to 5 m long; young parts pubescent. Leaf blades 4-15 X 2-5.5 cm, lanceolate, ovate, or elliptic, upper surface more or less scabrous, lower surface lighter, densely to slightly pubescent, with slightly prominent veins, chartaceous to coriaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base obtuse or rounded, usually unequal, the margins serrate; petioles 0.5-1 cm long, pubescent. Flowers sessile, in axillary or terminal, simple or branched inflorescences, with lateral globose cymes. Calyx cupshaped, 2.5-3 mm long, densely covered with rusty-brown hairs, persistent in fruit; corolla white, bell-shaped, 4-5 mm long, the lobes very short; anthers and style included; style 1, with 4 branches. Fruit bright red, 3-4 mm diam., globose, fleshy, covered by an enlarged calyx.

    Distribution and Ecology - Common in open disturbed areas. Along road to Bordeaux (A3834), Bethany (B188, B248). Also on St. Croix, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda; Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Lesser Antilles, and northern South America.

  • Discussion

    Lantana corymbosa L., Sp. PL 628. 1753, non Cordia corymbosa Willd. ex Roem. & Schult., 1819. Varronia corymbosa (L.) Desv., J. Bot. (Desvaux) 1: 275. 1808.