Family: Apocynaceae
Compound: Go pa
Synonyms: Lachnostoma arizonicum, Matelea arizonica
Geographic Origin: AZ, SON
Characteristics: Herbaceous vines, covered with short, dense hairs on the stems. Semi-succulent or leathery, arrow or heart shaped leaves are arranged oppositely on the stems. covered in small hairs like the stems. The base is woody, and perennial. Typically forms a tangled mass of vines climbing up nearby plants or rocks. Flowers are small, with 5 white petals with green reticulations on them. The center of the flower is green with a purple to black outline. Fruits are wide at the top and taper to a point at the base. There are 3-5 fleshy ridges running from end to end, becoming less distinct towards the bottom of the fruit. The fruits are green to purple, and may have speckles and lines of darker pigment across them. When ripe, the fruit dries out and splits open, revealing many, flat, brown seeds with white fluff attached that catches the wind and disperses them widely.
Natural History: Grows in canyons and washes between 914-1372m (3000-4,500ft) in desert scrub to low madrean woodland habitat. It flowers from fall to spring or early summer. Above ground growth may die back and regrow from the roots.
Cultivation Notes: There is little information about the propagation of this species available. It is not typically sold at nurseries. Try collecting wild seed and spreading it on the surface of the soil in a pot and watering frequently or directly in the ground during the rainy season. Prefers partial sun, and needs something to climb up such as a trellis or tree/bush.
For general plant propagation information, click here
Ethnobotany: Unknown
Citations:
SEINET Arizona - New Mexico Chapter
https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=8715#