Corchorus hirsutus L.

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Malvaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Corchorus hirsutus L.

  • Description

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    Species Description - Erect or less often prostrate shrub, 0.5-1.5(-2) m tall, densely branched; stems, branches, leaves, and inflorescences densely covered with brownish green stellate hairs. Leaf blades (1—)2—6 x 0.5-2 cm, ovate to oblong-lanceolate, chartaceous to subcoriaceous, the apex obtuse, the base rounded to obtuse, the margins crenate-dentate; petioles 0.5-1 mm long; stipules linear-filiform to subulate, to 5 mm long, early deciduous. Inflorescences 2-8-flowered umbelliform cymes; peduncles about as long as the pedicels. Sepals light yellow, 5-6 mm long, ovate; petals bright yellow, obovate-oblong, about as long as the sepals; androgynophore short; disk annular; stamens numerous; ovary ovoid to oblong-ovoid, 4(-5)-locular. Capsule 1-1.5 cm long, 0.5-0.6 cm diam., oblong-ellipsoid, densely tomentose, green, as long as the curved pedicels or longer, with a short, erect beak. Seeds 1- 2 mm long, angular, obliquely truncate at both ends, blackish brown, smooth.

    Distribution and Ecology - Common on beaches and in open areas in well-drained sandy or rocky soils. East End (A673), Coral Bay (A2580), Dittlif Point (A3962). Also on Anegada, St. Croix, St. Thomas, and Tortola; Mexico to northern South America including the West Indies, and Africa.

  • Discussion

    Common name: jack switch