More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Begonias, Gourds, and Allies of Zihuatanejo
ORDER CUCURBITALES
Cayaponia attenuata
Flowers by Colour
-Vascular Plants (Phylum Tracheophyta)
-Flowering Plants (Subphylum Angiospermae)
-Begonias, Gourds, and Allies (Order Cucurbitales)
-Gourd Family (Family Cucurbitaceae)
-Tribe Cucurbiteae
-Melonleaves (Genus Cayaponia)
-Cayaponia attenuata
Cayaponia attenuata is a perennial vine found in tropical and subtropical climates. Its native range includes Central and South America, and the Caribbean. It is a popular ornamental and medicinal plant, and has been used in traditional medicine to treat fever and hysteria. Its bright green, heart-shaped leaves are covered in a fine fuzz, giving the plant a delicate texture. It produces clusters of small, white flowers in the spring, and bright red fruits in the fall.
Description
• Cayaponia attenuata is a climbing vine in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). Members of this genus typically have slender, climbing stems with tendrils, alternate leaves that may be lobed, and small flowers followed by fleshy, berry-like fruits.
Range
• Cayaponia attenuata is associated with tropical America. It occurs in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.
Habitat
• This vine grows in warm tropical environments, including scrub, woodland margins, thickets, and seasonally dry forest. It uses tendrils to climb through surrounding vegetation and may grow along the ground where support is unavailable.