Flora of Dominica, Part 2 - Smithsonian Institution Libraries

198 RUBMCEAE-RUTACEAE SMlTHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO BOTANY
flowered; calyx lobes unequal, those opposite the septum larger
and more persistent than those at the septum; corolla equaling
calyx lobes; stamens included; capsule with a few hairs; cocci
attached, equal, both finally opening by splitting of the septum;
seeds glossy, dark brown, finely reticulate.
Neotropics; common to occasional weed in disturbed places
of Dominica, to 450 m: Canefield (Whitefoord 5507, 6091),
Clarke Hall (Ernst I548A), Grand Savanne (Nicolson 1946),
Pont CassB (Ernst 1243), Sylvania (Cooper 12).
Our material is Spermacoce eryngioides var. questelii
Fosberg & Powell (in prep.), recognizable by the striking
scabmities on the lower surface of the midrib, the corolla not
exceeding the calyx, and the strictly erect habit of the plant.
Specimens are commonly misdetermined as Borreria ocymoides
(see Spermacoce prostrata) from which it differs by the
revolute leaf margins and erect habit and, sometimes, as B.
verticillata from which it differs by its shorter and broader
leaves. In Dominica the species can be recognized by the
scabrosities on the midrib below.
Spermacoce maurithna
Spermacoce mawitiana Gidem in Verdcourt, 1983547.
Borreria repens A.P. Candolle, 1830,4544.
Spermacoce repens (A.P. Candolle) Fosberg & Sachet, 1980a:30. non
Chamisso & Schlechtendal.
Spermacoce ocymoides sensu auctt., non N. Burman.
Borreria ocymoides sensu auctt., not as to type of basionym.
Weak annual; stems with crisped hairs on wing-like angles;
leaves elliptic, -2x longer than broad, with marginal hairs;
calyx lobes 2, equal; capsule 2-valved; seeds chestnut brown,
strongly reticulate with raised ribs, the fovea wider than long.
Pantropical; new record for Dominica: near Freshwater Lake
(Whitefoord 41 72 at BM).
Spermacoce prostrata
Spermacoce prostrata Aublet, 177558, pl. 20: fig. 3.-Fosberg & Powell (in
Prep.).
Borreria ocymoides sensu most American authors, as Steyermark, 1972:815,
"ocimoides," not as to basionym.
Spermacoce ocymoides N. Burman, 1768:34, pl. 13: fig. 1.
Leaves small and usually paired; inflorescence fewflowered;
stamens included; calyx lobes unequal, acuminate;
capsule glabrous; cocci attached, equal, both opening by
splitting of the septum; seeds dark brown and minutely
foveolate.
Apparently pantropical; common weed in Dominica along
roads to 450 m: Hampstead (Ernst 1555), Hatton Garden Estate
(Hodge 3071), Morne Aux Diables (Wilbur 8071), Mome
Plaisance (Whitefoord 4505), near beach at north end of
Portsmouth (DHN!), road to Syndicate (DHN!, with rust fungi).
Fosberg and Powell (in prep,) have determined that the
basionym of the usual name for this species does not apply and
pertains to an apparently endemic Malesian species. Sperma-
coce prostrata Seems to be the earliest name applicable to
Borreria ocymoides in its usual but misapplied sense.
Spermacoce verticillata
Spermacoce verticillata Linnaeus, 1753 : 102.
Borreria verticillata (Linnaeus) Meyer, 1818:83.
Suffrutescent herb; leaves whorled, 2 commonly longer than
others, linear; inflorescence many-flowered; calyx lobes unequal,
deciduous; stamens exserted, capsule glabrous; cocci
attached, equal, each with a large dorsal calyx lobe, both
opening by splitting of the septum; seeds dark brown,
reticulate.
Neotropics and Africa; occasional to common in xerophytic
scrub along west coast of Dominica and a roadside weed on the
north side: Bornes (Nicolson 4221), Grand Savanne (Ernst
1389, Hodge 3795, Lloyd 834, Wilbur 7625), Mero (Webster
132 74).
This could be the medicinal plant called Borreria densiflora
DC. by Adjanohoun et al. (1985169, pl. 135).
RUTACEAE
Punctate dots on leaves are distinctive in this family.
Barrett and Rhodes (1976) published an excellent paper on
the relationships of many cultivated citrus.
Cirrus aurantiifolia (Christman 8z Panzer) Swingle, the lime,
is the basis of lime industry, initiated in Dominica by Dr. John
Imray and is the basis of the nickname "limey" for British
sailors (given limes to prevent scurvy): orchards around Roseau
(Morden 10). Adjanohoun et al. (1985171, pl. 137) reported
medicinal usages.
Citrus maxima (J. Burman) Memll (including Citrus grandis
Osbeck), the pomelo or shaddock, is the main crop cultivated at
Syndicate Estate (DHN!, Whitefoord 4136, 5879). For a
nomenclatural discussion see Scora and Nicolson (1986).
Citrus x paradisi Macfadyen, the grapefruit, was reported by
Howard (1964, mss.).
Citrus x sinensis (Linnaeus) Osbeck, the sweet orange, was
collected in Dominica (1932) in a variegated aspect: (Fairchild
2714).
Other citrus are undoubtedly grown on Dominica, such as
the lemon, the citron, and the tangerine. I have probably eaten
them or seen them for sale; however, I dare not trust my
memory and can only say they are not yet documented for
Dominica.
Murruya exotica Linnaeus, the orange jessamine, was cited
for Dominica with an exclamation mark by Howard (1988,
4:560).
Triphasia trifoliata (N. Burman) Wilson, the lime-berry, has
been collected in the Roseau Botanic Garden (Hodge 3916
(misidentified as Carissa grandijlora), Whitefoord 5656).
1. Leaves opposite, compound; flowers bisexual; fruit a drupe