5. Tragia volubilis L. (Linnaeus 1753: 980)

Fig. 6 A

Type

JAMAICA • s. loc.; s. d.; Herb. Linn. No. 1103.1; lectotype (designated by Radcliffe-Smith 1987): LINN [LINN 1103.1] .

Description

Scandent perennial herb up to 1.5 m high; young and mature branches pubescent with stinging hairs up to 0.5 mm long. Stipules lanceolate, 3.5–4 × 1–1.5 mm, acute, subglabrous, ciliate with hairs up to 0.3 mm long. Petioles (0.5 –) 1–4 (– 6) cm long, sparsely hairy with hairs up to 0.5 mm long; distally and proximally pulvinate. Leaf blade oblong-lanceolate to elliptic or ovate-lanceolate, (3 –) 4–10 (– 11) × (2 –) 3–4.5 cm, truncate to cordate at base, acute to subacuminate at apex, with acumen up to 1 cm long, mucronate, serrate, upper surface sparsely hairy with stinging hairs up to 0.5 mm long, lower surface similar to upper surface; basal veins 5, secondary veins in 4–5 pairs. Inflorescences unisexual. Male inflorescences up to 1.5 cm long, peduncle up to 0.5 cm, subglabrous with minute hairs; bracts ca 1 mm long, narrowly lanceolate, subglabrous; bracteoles similar to bracts. Male flower pedicel ca 2 mm long, glabrous; buds 0.5 mm diameter; calyx lobes narrowly ovate, 0.5 mm long, glabrous; stamens 2–3; filaments up to 0.2 mm long; anthers 0.3 × 0.2 mm. Female inflorescences up to 3 cm long, peduncle up to 2.5 cm long, pubescent with stinging hairs up to 0.5 mm long, with 1 flower; bracts up to 1 mm long, narrowly lanceolate, subglabrous; bracteoles similar to the bracts. Female flower subsessile; calyx lobes 6, lanceolate, entire, 1.5 mm long, glabrous; ovary 1.5 × 2 mm, densely hispid with stinging hairs up to 1 mm long; styles ca 1.5 mm long, connate until 1 / 2 length, glabrous. Fruits dimorphic, regular fruits trilobate, 4 × 6 mm, densely hispid with stinging hairs up to 1 mm long; fruits allomorphic monococcus with 2–3 prominent horns up to 0.8 cm long, hispid with stinging hairs up to 1 mm long; calyx lobes 6, up to 1.5 mm long, lanceolate, entire, without laminula, not hardened, subglabrous; columella 2 mm long. Seeds 3 mm diameter, light brown with black patches.

Distribution

Originally from the Americas, widely distributed in Africa (Prain 1913; Keay 1958; Radcliffe-Smith 1987, 1996; Sosef et al. 2006; Figueiredo and Smith 2008; Cheek et al. 2011; Barberá et al. 2013) (Fig. 6 A).

Habitat and ecology

It grows in rainforest, mostly secondary, mangroves, and scrubland at 0–710 m elevation.

Additional material examined

CAMEROON – Centre Region • Ndanan I to Ndanan II, Raphia swamp; 03°36’53”N, 11°34’20”E; 710 m; 16 Mar. 2004; Cheek 11783; K [K 000678378] image • N’Kolbisson, near Yaoundé; [3°52’14”N, 11°27’16”E]; 700 m; 2 Nov. 1964; de Wilde 3708; BR [BR 0000016246416] image . – South Region • Dja et Lobo Dept. Koulaze, 71 km SE of Akonolinga; 03°08’N, 12°28’E; 650 m; 26 Feb. 1996; Nkongmeneck 1541; MO [MO-4236213] .

EQUATORIAL GUINEA – Bioko Norte • Malabo-Rebola, Estrada km 4-5, plantaçoes de cacau; [3°44’17”N, 8°49’01”E]; 2 May 1988; Carvalho 3416; MA [MA-684403] . – Centro Sur • Niefang, explotación forestal de Matroguisa; 1°57’N, 10°23’E; 4 Apr. 2000; Pérez Viso 2289; MA [MA-844000] .

GABON – Estuaire • Ca 6 km NE of Malibé; 0°35’N, 9°26’E; 20 Dec. 1986; Reitsma 2740; MA [MA-454585], MO [MO-4496692], WAG [WAG.1339019] image . – Ngounié • Bongolo, near protestant hospital; 2°14.2’N, 11°27.7’E; 130 m; 11 Nov. 1994; Wieringa 3137; LBV, MO [MO-4496693], WAG [WAG.1339020] . – Ogooué-Ivindo • Makokou, IRET station; 0°30.7’N, 12°48.1’E; 500 m; 22 Jan. 2004; Wilks 3776; LBV, MA, WAG [WAG.1339018] .

Note

According to Prain (1913), this species should not be considered native in Africa.