Hippocratea

Linnaeus

Sp. Pl. 2: 1191. 1753.

Etymology: For Hippocrates, ca. 460–370 BC, Greek physician
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 12. Treatment on page 118. Mentioned on page 111, 112.

Vines, clambering. Branchlets terete to 4-angled. Leaves persistent, opposite; stipules present; petiole present; blade margins crenate-serrate; venation pinnate. Inflorescences axillary, cymes. Flowers bisexual, radially symmetric; perianth and androecium hypogynous; hypanthium absent; sepals 5, distinct; petals 5, pale yellow to white; nectary extrastaminal, annular, fleshy; stamens 3, adnate to nectary margin; staminodes 0; pistil 3-carpellate; ovary superior, immersed in and adnate to nectary, 3-locular, placentation axile; style 1; stigmas 3; ovules 6–8 per locule. Fruits capsules, 3-locular, deeply 3-parted longitudinally, segments obovate-elliptic or narrowly elliptic, apex not beaked. Seeds 5–6 per locule, ellipsoid, winged in proximal 1/2; aril absent.

Distribution

Fla., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America, Africa.

Discussion

Species 3 (1 in the flora).