Woody climbing vines, with opposite petioled leaves, and terminal corymbose perfect flowers. Stipules none. Calyx-tube top-shaped, adnate to the ovary, its limb 7-10-toothed.

Petals 7-10, narrow. Stamens 20-30, inserted on the disk; filaments subulate. Ovary 5-10-celled, 10-15-ribbed, its apex conic; style thick; stigma capitate, 5-10-lobed; ovules ∞. Capsule fragile, ribbed, opening between the ribs. Seeds numerous, the testa membranous, reticulated, produced into a club-shaped appendage. [Latin, decern, ten; the parts being often in 10's.]

A monotypic genus of southeastern North America.

I. Decumaria Bàrbara L. Decumaria

Fig. 2192

D. barbara L. Sp. Pl. Ed. 2, 1663. 1763.

Glabrous, or the shoots pubescent, climbing by aerial rootlets to a height of several feet. Petioles \'-\' long; leaves ovate, acute or obtuse at the apex, rounded or narrowed at the base 2'-4' long, entire or repand-denticulate, sometimes pubescent on the veins of the lower surface, glabrous and shining above; corymbs terminal, compound, 2'-3' broad; flowers white, fragrant, 3"-4" broad; calyx-teeth deciduous; capsule top-shaped, 2"-3" high, tipped with the conic persistent style, opening between the ribs and remaining on the plant after the seeds fall away.

In swamps, southeastern Virginia to Florida, west to Louisiana. May-June.