Ipomoea cairica, Sweet

                                                                                                                  =Convolvulus cairicus

                                                                                                                               Convolvulaceae

                                                                                                                                 Morning-Glory Family

                                                                                                                                      Egypt

 

Morning Glory

 

 

                                                   June Photo                                                                              

 

Plant Characteristics: Slender glabrous perennial, twiner, the sts. more or less warty; lvs. 5-palmate, about as broad as long, usually 2-3 in. across; lfts. entire, pinnate veined, mostly not exceeding 2 in. long, retuse or apiculate; fls. 1 to few, pedicelled, on very short peduncles, about 2-2.5 in. long, rose-lilac, slightly 5-lobed, with prominent plaits; sepals .25-.33 in. long, broad and very obtuse; seeds with silky hairs.

 

Habitat: Escape from cultivation. Native to the tropics and sometimes running wild in subtropical regions. (Bailey 820).

 

Name: Ipomoe-a, a Greek combination, worm-bindweed, of no particular significance. (Bailey 819). Cairica presumably refers to Cairo, as the plant was early accredited to Egypt. (Bailey 820).

 

General: Rare in the study area with only one colony known and this on the lower bluff between 23rd St. and Mariner’s Dr. The plants cover a significant area and are beginning to twine into the shrubs and trees; they could become a noxious weed. (my comments). Ipomoea batatas is the sweet potato. (Bailey 819). Ipomoeas may self-sow, but they do not spread by underground runners. (Sunset New Western Garden Book, 1984 Edition, 331).

 

Text Ref: Bailey 820.

Photo Ref: June 06 # 10A,21A.

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by John Johnson.

First Found: June 2006.

 

Have plant specimen.

Plant Ref: Plant Data 567

Last edit: 7/14/06.

 

                                June Photo                                                                    June Photo