Gouania polygama (Jacq.) Urb., Symb. Antill. 4: 378. 1910.
Basionym: Rhamnus polygamus Jacq.
Synonym: Gouania tomentosa Jacq.
Woody vine that climbs by means of tendrils and attains 8-15 m in length. Stems grayish, attaining 3 cm in diameter. Branches green, ferruginous-tomentose, slightly striate; tendrils simple, semicircular, basal to the inflorescences or distal on short lateral branches. Leaves alternate, 5-15 × 3.2-7.5 cm, broadly elliptical, oblong, or ovate, chartaceous, the apex obtuse, acute, or short-acuminate, the base subcordiform or rounded, the margins serrate; upper surface dark green, slightly shiny, pubescent; lower surface pale green, dull, pilose, with prominent venation; petioles 1-1.5 cm long, pubescent. Inflorescences of axillary or terminal racemes, 10-22 cm long. Calyx 1.5-2 mm long, cupuliform, whitish, tomentose, the sepals ovate, 0.7-1 mm long; petals whitish, ca. 1 mm long, spathulate, enclosing the stamens; stamens as long as the petals; disc almost pentagonal, fleshy; styles 3. Fruit a three-winged schizocarp, 8-12 mm long, dehiscent into 3 indehiscent mericarps, trigonal, with a wing on each side of the seminiferous center. Seeds ovate, light brown, shiny, ca. 3 mm long.
Phenology: Collected in flower from October to November and in fruit from December to January.
Status: Native, locally common.
Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7139; 7811; Sargent, F.H. s.n.; 351; Sintenis, P. 36; 3566; 5577.
Distribution: In disturbed areas, more or less moist, at middle elevations, in western and central Puerto Rico. Also in Cuba, Hispaniola, Tobago, Trinidad, and tropical continental America.
Public Forests: Guánica, Guajataca, Guilarte, Río Abajo, and Susúa.