Plants of Cloudbridge

Triumfetta semitriloba (Mosote, burweed)

Description: A weedy herbaceous ground plant or shrub reaching 60cm height

Natural history: The species needs disturbance for establishment. If given an equal start, it competes well with other
herbs, grasses, and shrubs in full sun or partial shade. Burweed may be found growing in small patches and as single, dispersed plants. Burweed blooms and fruits continuously, beginning at about 6 months of age. Seeds are dispersed when they cling to passing
animals.

Distribution: Found in open disturbed areas of Cloudbridge, and under similar conditions in other parts of Costa Rica. Native to central and south America, but widespread as an invasive species around the world.

How to recognize: Dark green serrated leaves, yellow flowers Has burs that stick to clothing or fur.

Uses: Drinks from this plant are said to refresh the stomach. The seed's skin is crushed and left to soak, producing a mucilage.

Sources and Links:
INBio description
http://www.hear.org/pier/species/triumfetta_semitriloba.htm
http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/shrubs/Triumfetta%20semitriloba.pdf
Plants of Hawaii

Scientific Information:

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Family: Tiliaceae

Species: Triumfetta semitriloba Jacq.

Photo Identification Guide: Triumfetta semitriloba (Mosote, burweed)

Leaves. The leaves have petioles from 0.8 to 9.5 cm long, growing progressively shorter toward the plant apex. The leaves, 3 to 8
cm long, are broadly ovate to rhombic-ovate, and sometimes three-lobed, nearly hairless above, but densely stellate-pubescent below.

Flowers. Flores de caliz crema, corola amarillo. The flowers,
which are located at the leaf axils, have yellow petals about 5mm long.

Fruit and Seeds. Frutos rojizos. The fruits, round burs 6 to 8 mm in diameter with numerous hooked spines, are borne in groups of two or three. Each fruit has three compartments and contains three seeds, if complete.

Form. A ground plant reaching 60cm.

Other. ...Perennial herbs or subshrubs to ca 5-20 dm tall; stems erect, younger ones densely stellate pubescent, glabrate with age. Leaves variable in shape, usually broadly ovate to lanceolate, 4-20 cm long, 3.5-8 cm wide, usually slightly 3-lobed, 3-nerved from base, stellate pubescent, more densely so on lower surface, margins irregularly serrate-dentate, apex acuminate, base very broadly cuneate to truncate, rarely subcordate, petioles 1.5-6 cm long. SepalsCapsules globose, indehiscent, 4-5 mm in diameter, puberulent, glabrate with age, covered with retrorsely setose, hooked bristles." (Wagner et al., 1999) linear, 4-7 mm long, apex with a filiform subapical appendage; petals yellow, narrowly oblanceolate, 3.5-6.5 mm long; stamens 15-20. "An erect shrub to 1.5 m tall; leaves ovate-oblong, 3-lobed; serrate; flowers small yellow axillary clustered; fruits with scattered reflexed hairs on the hooked spines." (Stone, 1970)

Cloudbridge: Bridging a Costa Rican cloud forest

Division:
Class:
Order:
Family:	Tiliaceae
Species:	Triumfetta semitriloba Jacq.