Flora of Dominica, Part 2 - Smithsonian Institution Libraries

140
MALVACEAE
SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO BOTANY
Gossypium hirsutum
Gossypiwn hirsu!wn Linnaeus, 1763:975.-Bonsum Waalkes, 1966:123.-
Fryxell, 1979:68.
Gassypiwn marie-galante Watt, 1927:344.
Gassypiwn hirsutwn var. marie-galante (Watt) J.B. Hutchinson et al.,
1947:43.-Adam~, 1972~473.
Cotton tree, coton noir.
Stipules 0.5-1.5 cm; petals to 5 cm, cream to pale yellow.
Originally from Central America and Greater Antilles, now
widely cultivated; cultivated and apparently naturalizing in
Dominica, particularly in the west: Bataca (Stehle 6373,6403),
Dublanc (Hodge 2541), Mahaut (Morden 7), Mero (Whitefoord
5693) [Chambers 2514 from Coulibistri is intermediate].
The Mahaut specimen was cultivated for cotton seed oil.
Herissantia Medikus
Herissantia crispa
Herissantia crisp (Linnaeus) Brizicky, 1%8:279.
Sida crkp Linnaeus, 1753:685.
Abutilon crispwn (Linnaeus) Medikus, 1787a:29. “cry~pwn.‘~
Gayoides crispwn (Linnaeus) Small, 1903:764.
Bogenhrdia crispa (Linnaeus) Kearney, 1954 120.
Herb or shrub, often procumbent; petals white or yellowish;
carpels tardily dehiscent.
Old and New World tropics and subtropics; cited for
Dominica by V61ez (1957:104) as Gayoides crispurn, apparently
based solely on the distribution report by Britton and
Wilson (1924, 599) of “West Indies, south to Grenada.” I
have seen material from Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Vincent,
and Grenada and suppose it is expected on Dominica near
beaches.
Hibiscus Linnaeus, nom. cons.
Several species are native to the Old World tropics and
cultivated on Dominica. The following have regularly toothed
or lobed, persistent calyces. Hibiscus subdariffa Linnaeus,
roselle, was cited for Dominica by V6lez (1957:lM) and has
thick, succulent, edible calyx-involucres. Hibiscus rosa -
sinensis Linnaeus, rose of China, is cultivated for its showy
flowers and cv. Cooperi for its variegated leaves (Hodge 972).
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis var. schizopetalus Dyer (also known as
Hibiscus schizopetalus (Dyer) J. Hooker; see Cheek, 1989) has
laciniate, recurved petals (Hodge 967).
1. Involucral bracts linear, apex bifurcate; petals purplishpink
..................... H. furcellatus
1. Involucral bracts linear or lanceolate, apex entire; petals
yellow -orange.
2. Calyx >3 cm long, deciduous (with bracts) after
anthesis; petals fading and drying deep red; trees
(introduced in interior) ............ H. elatus
2. Calyx 9 cm long,
orange-red, fading quickly to dark crimson.
Central America and West Indies; apparently introduced into
Dominica: East Cabrit (Whifefoord 5256), Dleau Gommier
(Nicolson 2015), Riversdale (Nicolson 4060).
Planted as a fast-growing timber tree and discussed by
Kimber. Adams also (1972475) pointed out that this apparently
can hybridize with “H. tiliaceus,” i.e., H. pernambucensis
here.
Hibiscus furcellatus
Hibiscus furcellatus Lamarck, 1789,3:358.
Densely pubescent shrub to 2 m; leaves cordate; petals
purplish pink.
Neonopics; in Dominica in lowlands: Soufriere Valley
(Cooper 138).
Hibiscus pernambucensis
Hibiscur pemmbucenvis hrruda, 1810:44.-FryxeU in Howard, 1989,5:225.
Hibiscus riliaceus sensu auctt. as to Lesser Antilles, non Linnaeus.
Seaside mahoe, mahoe doux.
Shrub to 2 m or tree to 10 m; petals usually