Ipomoea hederifolia L.

Title

Ipomoea hederifolia L.

Authors

Ethan H. Freid

Scientific Name

Ipomoea hederifolia L.

Description

Common Names

No common names

Convolvulaceae

Ipomoea hederifolia grows as an annual vine. The leaves are arranged alternately, to 15 cm in length, ovate to orbicular. The leaf margin ranges from entire, dentate to 5-7 lobed with an acute to acuminate leaf apex.

The actinomorphic flowers are arranged in cymes or solitary. The calyx has 5 green, unfused, filiform sepals. The corolla has 5 fused, red to yellow petals that form a salverform tube that is often recurved. There are 5 stamens fused to the throat of the corolla tube and at the point of attachment are numerous hairs. The ovary is superior with 3 locules and numerous seeds. The fruit is a capsule at maturity.

Ipomoea hederifolia grows in human disturbed habitats (abandoned fields, dumps, edges of yards/roadsides)

Ipomoea hederifolia occurs in the northern island groupings of the Bahamian Archipelago. It is now distributed through out the topical and subtropical areas of the world.

Ipomoea hederifolia is not used medicinally in the Bahamas.

Ipomoea hederifolia is used in the horticultural industry.