Common morning glory

Common morning glory

Ipomoea purpurea (Convolvulaceae)

Common Name:

Common morning glory

Scientific Name:

Ipomoea purpurea (Convolvulaceae)


Alternative common names:

Gewone purperwinde (Afrikaans); ibhoqo; ijalamu; ubatata wentaba (isiZulu); imotyikatsana (isiXhosa).

Description:

A herbaceous twining annual with hairy stems up to 3m or more. Bright green, sparsely hairy, heart-shaped leaves. Purplish-blue, reddish, magenta or white funnel-shaped flowers, sometimes with contrasting stripes from November to May. This creeper invades woodlands, waste areas, arable land, roadsides, river banks and coastal dunes.

Additional Information


Where does this species come from?

Tropical America.

What is its invasive status in South Africa?

Existing legislation: CARA 2002 - Category 3 NEMBA - Category 1b

Where in South Africa is it a problem?

Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape.

How does it spread?

Spreads by small seeds.

Why is it a problem?

Scrambles over and competes with other species. It is an annual plant and has less impact than the similar Ipomoea indica which is perennial.

What does it look like?

General description: Herbaceous twining annual with hairy stems up to 3m or more The bark is brown-grey to blackish, and fissured at the base.
Leaves: Bright green, sparsely hairy, heart-shaped leaves.
Flowers: Purplish-blue, reddish, magenta or white, sometimes with contrasting stripes, funnel-shaped, to 85mm long; sepals pointed but not long-tapering, 10-15 mm long, bristly at base. Flowers usually appear in November-May, but throughout the year in tropical regions.
Fruit/Seeds: Produces globose capsules of 10mm measured across.

Does the plant have any uses?

Used as an ornamental plant.

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