Metastelma bahamense

Metastelma bahamense Griseb.

Synonym: Cynanchum bahamense

Family: Apocynaceae

Habit: Metastelma bahamense grows as a glabrous, climbing vine to over 5 m in length.  The leaves are oppositely arranged, to 8 cm, lanceolate to oblong, with an entire margin a mucronate/apiculate leaf apex. The vegetation produces a milky sap.

The complete, perfect, actinomorphic flowers are arranged in axillary cymes. The calyx has 5 unfused sepals. The corolla has 5 papillose pubescent, unfused white petals with a green center. There are 5 unfused stamens. Within the flower there are oblong and acuminate appendages (crown) that arise from the corolla. The superior ovary has 2 locules with many ovules.  The fruit is a follicle at maturity.

Habitat: Metastelma bahamense grows in coastal Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formations – Forests/Shrublands (coppice).

Distribution: Metastelma bahamense occurs throughout the island groupings within the Lucayan Archipelago, Cuba, and Florida.

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: Metastelma bahamense is not known to be used medicinally in the Bahamian Archipelago.