Juanulloa mexicana (Schltdl.) Miers

Solanaceae - Tomato Family

Description. Appearing as a hemi-epiphyte or liana climbing tree trunks, usually growing near streams, leaves simple alternate and bunched at twig tips, entire, obovate, with minute pubescence of scruffy stellate hairs; flowers minutely pubescent with stellate hairs, calyx 3 cm, dull orange, corolla 6 cm, brighter orange, slightly down-turned and widened below the apex, 5 small apical lobes, stamens and stigma included in tube; fruit a dull yellow berry.

Similar species.
Schultesianthus species have a similar growth habit, but are glabrous, wetter habitats.
Hillia and Cosmibuena species (Rubiaceae) are similar hemi-epiphytes with opposite leaves.

Local distribution. Pacific slope from lowlands to about 1000 m, (Río Guacimal at Finca San Luis and Guacimal, Quebrada La Guaria).

Habitat. In semi-deciduous forest, usually growing in trees in the flood zone of streams, but also occurs in wet forest habitats.

Species range. Mexico to Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. In Costa Rica, more common in the southern Pacific lowlands, rare in Atlantic lowlands and Pacific semi-deciduous forest.

Abundance. Rare.

Phenology. FL: Dec-May + (extended flowering pattern); FR: Jun.

Herbivores. Melinaea ethra, M. scylax

Pollinators. Hummingbirds

Seed dispersers. Bats?

Comments.

Voucher No. Bello 17

Plant intro

Images and text copyright © 2001-2006 by William A. Haber, http://efg.cs.umb.edu/

Created: 15 May 2001. Updated: 11 December 2006.