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

  • Authority

    Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro. 2005. Vines and climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 51: 1-483.

  • Family

    Boraginaceae

  • Scientific Name

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

  • Description

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    Description - Woody shrub, clambering, up to 5 m in length. Stems pubescent when young, cylindrical, attaining 1.5 cm in diameter. Leaves alternate: blades 4-15 x 2-5.5 cm, ovate, lanceolate, or elliptical, coriaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base obtuse or rounded, sometimes unequal, the margins serrate; upper surface scabrous, the venation sunken; lower surface pale green, more or less pubescent, with prominent reticulate venation; petioles pubescent, 5-10 mm long. Flowers numerous, sessile, arranged in terminal or axillary paniculate or corymbose heads. Calyx yellowish green, crateriform, pubescent, 2.5-3 mm long; corolla white, campanulate, 4-5 mm long, the lobes much shorter than the tube, the tube pubescent inside; stamens and stigmas inserted. Drupe red, globose, 3-4 mm in diameter, completely covered by the accrescent calyx.

    Phenology - Flowering and fruiting throughout the year, particularly in June and July.

    Conservation Status - Native, very common.

  • Discussion

    Cordia wagnerorum Howard was originally described as a clambering shrub; nevertheless, the clambering habit seems to be the exception to the rule, since I have only observed this species as an erect shrub. For this reason, this species has been excluded from the present work.

  • Common Names

    basora, palo de perico, saragüero, black sage