Hoopvine

Description

Trichostigma octandrum strongly resembles pigeonberry (Rivina humilis). These are shrubs or free-standing vines up to 10 m wide and 6 m tall, with hairless twining, trailing or climbing stems. The stems range from 4-15 cm in diameter. The leaves are entire 4-9 cm blades ovate on long petioles. The apex is short and glabrous. The flowers form clusters, 5-7 cm long in a narrow raceme with flowers on stalks 4-6 cm long. The oval sepals are reflexed away from the fruit, 4-6 mm long and glabrous. The fruit are reddish-purple fleshy oval berries 4-5 mm long. The pollinator is unknown, but may be mosquitoes. The plant is spread by birds, who eat the fruit, but is also cultivated as a decorative plant or bower, as a fiber, and for medicine.