Taxonomy

Mikania cordata (Burm. f.) B.L.Rob., Contr. Gray Herb. 104: 65. 1934

Common synonyms

Eupatorium cordatum Burm.f. Fl. Ind. (N. L. Burman) 176. 1768.

Description

Propagule or dispersal unit is the fruit with pappus. Fertile part 2-4 mm long, 0.3-0.6 mm wide, in side view mostly +/- equal thickness (cylindrical) or widest in upper part (obovoid), +/- straight, the upper (apical) end suddenly cut off (truncate), in cross-section angular (prismatic), basal scar (carpopodium) pronounced and well-differentiated, central, beak (=thinner sterile stalk between seed and pappus) absent, wings absent, fruit surface black, smooth (except at cellular level), with glands or glandular hairs, thickened margin absent, longitudinal ribs present, 5, their surfaces smooth, with no hairs (glabrous) or simple straight hairs.

Pappus type bristles / hairs, pappus elements all +/- similar, up to 3-4.5 mm long, in one row, pappus elements numerous, persistent or elements falling off individually (?), the individual bristles rough / serrated (barbellate), +/- equal width along length, white / translucent or brown.

Notes: Very similar to Mikania micrantha but with the fertile part of the fruit longer than 2 mm. The pappus is initially white but becomes brown with age. The fruit surface looks bumpy but only at the level of the cell structure, so it is scored as smooth. Pappus bristles can be broken off with relative ease.

Ecology

Perennial climber (vine), fruits wind-dispersed. Tropical regions of high rainfall, preferring rich soils. Found in secondary forests, plantations, fallow, along rivers, and in wastelands.