Distimake quinquefolius

Distimake quinquefolius (L.) A. R. Simões & Staples

Synonym: Merremia quinquefolia

Common Names: Rock Rosemary

Family: Convolulaceae

Habit: Distimake quinquefolius grows as a climbing perennial herbaceous vine to 5 m in length covered with sparse pubescence. The leaves are arranged alternately and to 8 cm in length. The leaf blade is palmately compound with 5 sessile, elliptic to lanceolate leaflets each with a notched/serrate margin and acute/acuminate apex.

The complete, perfect, actinomorphic flowers solitary or in few flowered cymes.  The calyx has 5 unfused oblong sepals.  The corolla has 5 fused, salverform, petals that are white with 5 distinct off-white/yellowish stripes. There are 5 stamens fused to the throat of the corolla tube.  The ovary is superior with 2 locules and numerous seeds.  The fruit is a capsule at maturity.

Habitat: Distimake quinquefolius grows in Human Altered environments (roadsides, abandoned fields, waste areas).

Distribution: Distimake quinquefolius occurs on the northern island groupings in the Lucayan Archipelago, Florida, the Caribbean region and Central and South America.

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage Distimake quinquefolius is not used medicinally in the Bahamas.