More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Gentians, Dogbanes, and Madders of Zihuatanejo
ORDER GENTIANALES
Macroscepis diademata
Flowers by Colour
-Vascular Plants (Phylum Tracheophyta)
-Flowering Plants (Subphylum Angiospermae)
-Gentians, Dogbanes, Madders, and Allies (Order Gentianales)
-Dogbane Family (Family Apocynaceae)
-Milkweeds (Subfamily Asclepiadoideae)
-Tribe Asclepiadeae
-Subtribe Gonolobinae
-Genus Macroscepis
-Macroscepis diademata
Macroscepis diademata is a a climbing vine with inflated, angular seed pods. The most distinctive feature is the large, green, bladder-like pods with sharp ridges and a somewhat triangular or “winged” shape. These pods will eventually split open to release seeds equipped with silky hairs, allowing them to be dispersed by the wind—a common trait in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). The thick, somewhat leathery pods also help protect developing seeds in exposed, arid conditions.
Description
• Macroscepis diademata is a perennial climbing vine in the dogbane. Its slender stems twine through surrounding vegetation, bearing opposite pairs of simple leaves that are generally oval to lance-shaped with pointed tips. The flowers have a distinctive star-like form, with five lobes and a central crown-like structure characteristic of this group of plants. The flowers are followed by elongated seed pods containing seeds with silky tufts of hairs that aid wind dispersal.
Range
• Macroscepis diademata is native to tropical America, including Mexico and parts of Central America. It is native to Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.
Habitat
• It grows in warm tropical habitats, including seasonally dry forest, woodland margins, scrub, and thickets. Its twining stems climb over shrubs and other vegetation, particularly in sunny or partly shaded areas where surrounding plants provide support.