Noyau Vine

Title

Noyau Vine

Author(s)

Ethan H. Freid

Scientific Name

Merremia dissecta (Jacq.) Hallier f.

Description

Common Names

Noyau Vine

Convolvulaceae

Merremia dissecta grows as a perennial herbaceous vine that is covered with sparse pubescence. The leaves are arranged alternately and to 10 cm in length. The leaf blade is palmate with 7-9 lobes. The lobe margins are sinuate to dentate with an acuminate apex.

The actinomorphic flowers are solitary, though occasionally in cymes. The calyx has 5 unfused oblong sepals. The salverform corolla has 5 fused petals that are white with a red center. There are 5 stamens fused to the throat of the corolla tube. The ovary is superior with 2 locules and numerous seeds. The fruit is a capsule at maturity. Subtending the fruit are the sepals that become dry and woody.

Merremia dissecta grows in human disturbed habitats (roadsides, abandoned fields, dumps).

Merremia dissecta occurs on all island groupings in the Bahamian Archipelago as well as Florida, the Caribbean Region and Central and South America.

Merremia dissecta is not used medicinally in the Bahamas.