Geophila macropoda is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Rubiaceae.
Description
Geophila macropoda is a herbaceous and perennial plant with 1-4 leaves arising opposite one another at nodes along stems which creep along the ground, rooting at the nodes. Leaves are roundish with deeply lobed bases, and up to 9cm long (~3½ inches). Rabbit-ear shaped stipules grow at the bases of leaf petioles.
The species' few-flowered inflorescences are clustered in heads immediately beneath which there are two involucral bracts up to 3mm long (
At least among Peruvian species of Geophila, Geophila macropoda is distinguished from other species by its nearly hairless body (short-hairy on young petioles), and leaf blades which are broadly rounded and heart-shaped.
Distribution
The iNaturalist map of georeferenced records of Geophila macropoda indicate that the species occurs from southern Mexico south through Central America into northern and western South America south into southern Brazil and northern Argentina.
Habitat
In Colombia, Geophila macropoda thrives as a cover weed in cacao plantations on alluvial soil in humid tropical climates. The greater the light intensity reaching the ground, the smaller and more chlorotic the leaves become. The species appears to not compete with the cacao in any way, while impeding growth of undesirable weed species. Its leaves and other parts eventually die and decompose, contributing to soil organic matter.
In the Ucayali region of Peru, at an elevation of 300-350m (~980-1150ft), it's described as occurring in secondary forests and occasionally flooded lands.
In Guatemala, the images on this page were taken along a trail in the shady forest of El Rosario National Park, the Parque Nacional El Rosario, in the department of Petén, at an elevation of 125m (410ft).
Human uses
Geophila macropoda is used as a living plant cover for various crops, including in cocoa plantations. It is managed to minimize the use of...
