It was photographed in the western Andes, at the elevation of about 1900–2000 m (Ecuador). The stems seem to be creeping, even climbing.
Polygonaceae? But no fused, sheathing stipules known as an ochrea are visible. Unfortunately, no more photos are available. We would greatly appreciate your opinion on this plant.
Dear Jonas,
I agree the plant looks like Polygonaceae. It obviously belongs to one of the two genera occurring in Ecuador, where the fruit (achene) is covered by the perianth, which becomes fleshy in fruiting stage: Muehlenbeckia or Coccoloba. Species of the latter genus usually are small to medium sized trees, only few of them scrambling shrubs, and mostly occur in lower altitudes. So, in my opinion this species would belong to Muehlenbeckia. There are two species, that come into question in this region and at this altitude: M. tamnifolia and M. tiliifolia. You may compare the key and descriptions in Flora of Peru: http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/2392431 In my opinion, your plant most likely is Muehlenbeckia tiliifolia, with densely puberulent to tomentulous grayish lower surfaces of the leaves, whereas M. tamnifolia should be glabrous throughout. Please, also compare the following scanned herbarium specimens of M. tiliifolia: http://science.mnhn.fr/institution/mnhn/collection/p/item/p00734587 (holotype specimen from Bolivia), http://science.mnhn.fr/institution/mnhn/collection/p/item/p04984858 (from Ecuador). The ocreae may be deciduous in both species.
Regards
Franz Starlinger
I am not sure it looks like Antigonon leptopus, do you have any images of its flowers ?
It belongs to Buckwheat family. Many of its genera is found in North America.
http://www.wildflowers-and-weeds.com/Plant_Families/Polygonaceae.htm
It may be some species of Polygonum and it somewhat look near to P. chinensis
Dear Jonas,
I agree the plant looks like Polygonaceae. It obviously belongs to one of the two genera occurring in Ecuador, where the fruit (achene) is covered by the perianth, which becomes fleshy in fruiting stage: Muehlenbeckia or Coccoloba. Species of the latter genus usually are small to medium sized trees, only few of them scrambling shrubs, and mostly occur in lower altitudes. So, in my opinion this species would belong to Muehlenbeckia. There are two species, that come into question in this region and at this altitude: M. tamnifolia and M. tiliifolia. You may compare the key and descriptions in Flora of Peru: http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/2392431 In my opinion, your plant most likely is Muehlenbeckia tiliifolia, with densely puberulent to tomentulous grayish lower surfaces of the leaves, whereas M. tamnifolia should be glabrous throughout. Please, also compare the following scanned herbarium specimens of M. tiliifolia: http://science.mnhn.fr/institution/mnhn/collection/p/item/p00734587 (holotype specimen from Bolivia), http://science.mnhn.fr/institution/mnhn/collection/p/item/p04984858 (from Ecuador). The ocreae may be deciduous in both species.
Regards
Franz Starlinger
I agree with Muehlenbeckia. It seems M. tamnifolia (Kunth) Meisn.
Dear Jonas
I have no idea about the species as present in the image, But it is neither Antigonon leptopus nor Polygonum chinensis.
with regards
Sunit MItra
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