Heteropterys laurifolia (L.) A.Juss.

  • 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

    Malpighiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Heteropterys laurifolia (L.) A.Juss.

  • Description

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    Description - Vine or sometimes scandent shrub, woody, twining, attaining 5-10 m in length. Stems flexible, cylindrical, lenticellate, attaining 3.5 cm in diameter. Leaves opposite, 5-15(23.5) x 2-9(13.5) cm, coriaceous, glabrous, oblong or elliptical, the apex acuminate or rounded, the base acute, the margins undulate or entire; upper surface shiny, with the midvein prominent, yellowish green; lower surface yellowish green, with the midvein prominent; petioles 1-1.2 cm long, without glands. Inflorescences of panicles, terminal or axillary, the axes densely ferruginous-pubescent; pedicels ca. 7 mm, ferruginous-pubescent, articulated above the base; bracts ca. 2 mm long, at the base of the pedicel; bracteoles in pairs, minute, inserted on the articulation of the pedicel. Calyx green, ferruginous-pubescent, of 5 oblong sepals, ca. 4 mm long, 4 of them with a pair of glands at the base of the outer surface, which are 1.2-2 mm long. Petals 5, yellow, unguiculate, 4-7 mm. long. Mericarps 3, ferruginous-tomentose in the seminiferous portion, glabrous toward the wing, 2-4 cm long, with a dorsal wing, curved, ascendent or divaricate.

    Phenology - Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

    Conservation Status - Native, very common throughout Puerto Rico.

  • Common Names

    bejuco de buey, paralejo velludo, dragon wiss