atoll research bulletin no. 392 the flora of - Smithsonian Institution ...

pinnatifid involucral bracts, tardily dehiscent; seeds, many, surrounded by scanty, slimy,
sweetly-tart yellowish-orange pulpy aril, edible. Weed, generally on plateau, but also on
escarpment and coastal strip, along roadsides and in ruderal habitats. Scanty pulpy aril
and seeds eaten by children. 2, 3(58592), 4(l l7N), 5(54), 6, 7, 8(9581).
Peperomia obtusifolia (L.) A. Dietr.
syn . Piper obtusifolia L.
PIPERACEAE (Pepper Family)
"jade plant", "baby rubber plant"
Recent introduction. W. Indies and Florida. Rare. Erect or decumbent, spreading,
branching, succulent perennial herb, up to 20 cm high, with reddish stems; leaves, 3 to
10 cm long and 2 to 6 cm wide, alternate, oval to inverted-ovate, obtuse, apex sometimes
notched, base decurrent to cuneate, glabrous, shiny, dark green above pale below,
succulent; petioles, 1 to 3 cm long, reddish; inflorescences, erect spikes, 5 to 15 cm or
longer, green, bearing minute sessile flowers; stamens 2. Pot plant. 3(58691), 6, 7.
Peperomia pellucida (L.) HBK.
syns. P. pellucidurn L.; P. lineata Miq. ex Yuncker
" peperomia"
Recent introduction. Trop. America. Rare. Pale, erect or reclining, fleshy,
glabrous, weak-stemmed perennial herb, 15 to 30 cm high, with branched stems; leaves,
1 to 3.5 long, alternate, ovate-cordate, acute to acuminate, base rounded to cordate or
cordate-truncate, glabrous, shiny above dull beneath; petioles, 3 to 12 mm long;
inflorescences, slender leaf-opposed or terminal spikes, 2 to 5 cm long, bearing minute,
well-separated green sessile flowers; calyx and corolla absent; stamens 2; ovary sub-
tended by a minute bract; fruit, less than 1 inm in diameter, a green globose, rostellate
(beaked) drupe with longitudinal ribs, containing a single warty seed. Weed of pot plants
in homes. 5(7), 6, 8.
Polygala paniculata L.
POLYGALACEAE (Polygala Family)
Recent introduction. Trop. America. Rare. Slender, erect, profusely-branching
.-
annuar-herb,--0 cm taii, with giandular-pubescent stems andatuberou~lowstrongly
aromatic tap-root with the scent of peppermint or wintergreen; leaves, 1 to 2.5
cm long and 2 to 4 mm wide, linear-lanceolate, in whorls of 5 caducous leaves below
and spirally arranged above; inflorescences, slender terminal racemes, 2 to 15 cm long,