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Callisia repens

(Jacq.) L. (1762)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Monocots Order: Commelinales Family: Commelinaceae Genus: Callisia

Argentine ivy, inch plant

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Mat-forming perennial herbs.

Stems: Succulent, reddish, creeping, tips upturned, rooting at nodes.

Roots: Fibrous root system.

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate, distichous (2-ranked), spread along stem, overlapping or spaced apart, medium green. Blades ovate, 0.5–2 cm long. Apex acute. Surfaces glabrous. Margins often reddish. Veins parallel. Sessile. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in inflorescence of paired cymes; ± erect, terminal or lateral; bracts sheathing, flower clusters sessile in bract axils. Flowers radially symmetrical, bisexual (perfect); small and barely protruding from bracts. Calyx of 3 sepals, linear–oblong, green. Corolla of 3 petals, oblong, white, thinly membranous. Stamens 3 and all alike; filaments glabrous. Ovary superior, 3-carpellate, 3-celled; ovules 2 per cell; style filiform; stigma brushlike or papillose.

Fruit: Fruit a tiny; beaked dehiscent capsules; ovary 3(or 2)–celled; ovules 2 per cell. Seeds [1–]2 per locule.

Ploidy:

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

  • Yes

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Only found in cultivation
O'ahu Naturalized
Maui Only found in cultivation

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl. ed. 2: 62 (1762)

Other References

Staples & Herbst 2005:647 (DESCR); Frohlich & Lau 2010:10 (NEWNAT/O, DESCR)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Callisia repens Koloa District; Kalaheo, 4643A Puuwai Rd Cultivated in yard. Preserved_Specimen Herbaceous groundcover in light to moderate shade. Stems succulent, long creeping, freely rooting at nodes; green, occasionally tinged maroon; branch tips ascending; leaves succulent, dark green above, pale green below with silvery sheen. Flynn, T.W. 3530 Kauai BISH 1989-09-06
2 Callisia repens Honolulu; Punahou area, 1940 Manoa Rd Growing in a pot, with stems cascading over rim of pot; in a shady environment. Preserved_Specimen Prostrate herb. Lau, J. 1536 Oahu BISH 1985-10-19
3 Callisia repens Honolulu: Manoa Valley; Punahou area; 1940 Manoa Road Growing in a pot, with stems cascading over rim of pot; in a shady environment. Preserved_Specimen Prostrate herb. Lau, J. 1536 Oahu BISH 1985-10-19
4 Callisia repens Pearl City; Pearl City; 1114 Hookahi St Preserved_Specimen Tanaka, A. Oahu BISH 1986-08-12
5 Callisia repens East Maui, Makawao, Fern Duvall's backyard, Kailua gulch On steep bank. Associated vegetation: Melia azedarach, Pennisetum atropurpureum. Preserved_Specimen Erect, perennial herb; flowers transparent, disappearing by noon. Starr, F. 102131 Maui BISH 2001-02-13
6 Callisia repens Punchbowl area, on Prospect St. Rocky road cut area. Preserved_Specimen Creeping herb to about 5 cm height forming dense mats in patches. No flowers or fruits seen. OED 2008082102 Oahu BISH 2008-08-21
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