Cardiospermum corindum L.

  • 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

    Sapindaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Cardiospermum corindum L.

  • Description

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    Description - Slightly woody vine, much branched from the base, that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 1.5-3 m in length. Stems with 5 longitudinal ribs, pubescent; cross section with a single vascular cylinder. Leaves alternate, biternate; leaflets 12-16 x 9-12 cm, chartaceous, the margins sinuate-dentate; both surfaces more or less pubescent, especially on the prominent venation; terminal leaflet rhombic, acute or acuminate at the apex and attenuate at the base; lateral leaflets oblong-ovate, acute at the apex, rounded at the base; rachis and petioles not winged; petioles 2-3 cm long; stipules minute, early deciduous; tendrils in pairs, spirally twisted, at the end of short axillary axes (aborted inflorescences), from which an inflorescence usually develops. Flowers functionally unisexual, zygomorphic, in axillary racemiform thyrses; cincinni more than 4, usually in more than one whorl. Calyx light green, of 4 sepals, the two outer ones ca. 1 mm long, the inner ones ca. 2.5-4 mm long; petals white, obovate, 3.5-4.5 mm long; petaliferous appendages slightly shorter than the petals, fleshy and yellow at the apex, forming a hood that encloses the apex of the glands of the disc; disc unilateral, with 4 rounded or ovoid glands, ca. (1.4 mm high: stamens 8, the filaments unequal, pubescent; ovary trilocular, with one style and 3 stigmas. Capsule ellipsoid to globose-trigonal, 2-3 cm long, inflated, stramineous when ripe. Seed one per locule, spherical, black, ca. 4 mm in diameter, with a white, reniform hilum.

    Phenology - Collected in flower and fruit in February and May.

    Conservation Status - Apparently native, rather common.