Code
CLYAC
Growth form
climber
Biological cycle
vivacious
Habitat
marshland
🗒 Synonyms
| synonym | Bonanox muricata Rafin. |
| synonym | Calonyction aculeatum (L.) House |
| synonym | Calonyction aculeatum var. lobatum (Hall. fil.) C.Y. Wu |
| synonym | Calonyction aculeatum var. lobatum (Hallier f.) C.Y.Wu |
| synonym | Calonyction album (L.) House |
| synonym | Calonyction bona-nox (L.) Bojer |
| synonym | Calonyction bona-nox var. lobata Hall. fil. |
| synonym | Calonyction macrantholeucum Colla |
| synonym | Calonyction megalocarpum A. Rich. |
| synonym | Calonyction pulcherrimum Parodi |
| synonym | Calonyction rheedii Colla |
| synonym | Calonyction roxburghii G. Don |
| synonym | Calonyction speciosum Choisy |
| synonym | Convolvulus aculeatus L. |
| synonym | Convolvulus aculeatus var. bona-nox (L.) Kuntze |
| synonym | Convolvulus bona-nox (L.) Spreng. |
| synonym | Convolvulus grandiflorus Wall. |
| synonym | Convolvulus latiflorus Desr. |
| synonym | Convolvulus macrosolen Spreng. |
| synonym | Convolvulus mutabilis Blanco |
| synonym | Convolvulus petiolaris Kunth ex Spreng. |
| synonym | Convolvulus pulcherrimus Vell. |
| synonym | Convolvulus speciosum Choisy |
| synonym | Diatrema alba (L.) Rafin. |
| synonym | Euryloma grandiflora Rafin. |
| synonym | Euryloma latiflora Rafin. |
| synonym | Ipomoea aculeata (L.) Kuntze |
| synonym | Ipomoea aculeata f. bona-nox (L.) Voss |
| synonym | Ipomoea aculeata var. bona-nox (L.) Kuntze |
| synonym | Ipomoea ambigua Endl. |
| synonym | Ipomoea bona-nox L. |
| synonym | Ipomoea carinata Endl. |
| synonym | Ipomoea grandiflora Roxb. |
| synonym | Ipomoea krusensternii Ledeb. |
| synonym | Ipomoea latiflora (Desr.) Lindl. |
| synonym | Ipomoea longiflora Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. |
| synonym | Ipomoea noctiflora Griff. |
| synonym | Ipomoea noctiluca Herb. |
| synonym | Ipomoea roxburghii Steud. |
| synonym | Ipomoea tubulosa Willd. ex Roem. & Schult. |
| synonym | Lettsomia bona-nox (L.) Roxb. |
| synonym | Melascus latifolius Rafin. |
| synonym | Operculina grandiflora (Wall.) House |
| synonym | Quamoclit longiflora (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) G. Don |
| synonym | Tremasperma bona-nox (L.) Rafin. |
🗒 Common Names
| Créole Réunion |
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| English |
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| French |
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| Malagasy |
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| Other |
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📚 Overview
Description
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Global description
Ipomoea alba is an annual or perennial, herbaceous, glabrous vine, with milky latex, and is 6 m long. The leaves are simple and alternate, long-stalked, heart-shaped with a wide base deeply indented and tapered acute apex. They are of two forms, either whole or cut into three lobes, both often present on the same plant. Flowers are axillary, solitary or in small groups, large, with the corolla having an elongated tube then very spread in wheel. The fruit is a pointed capsule containing 4 sub trigonal seeds.
Cotyledons
The cotyledons are long petiolate. The lamina is bilobed, diverging V-shaped very broad. It is wider than it is long, 3 to 4 cm long and 4 to 6 cm wide. Each lobe has a rounded or acute apex, the faces are glabrous and embossed. The base is deeply corded, the lobes joining together. From the base leave 5 main palmate veins.
General habit
Annual or perennial, herbaceous lianescent plant, glabrous, with the base more or less woody, and which can reach 5 to 6 meters in length. The stem contains a milky latex.
Underground system
The plant has a taproot system.
Stem
The stems and the branches are glabrous. Their surface is smooth or provided with small asperities which can be numerous. The stem produces a milky sap.
Leaf
The leaves are simple and alternate. The petiole measures 3 to 10 cm long, up to 16 cm. The leaf blade is thick, widely oval, cordiform deeply indented base, with acute acuminate apex. It measures 5 to 15 cm long (20 cm long) and 5 to 10 cm wide (up to 15 cm). Its margin is entire or trilobed. They are of two forms, either whole or cut into three lobes. The two types of leaves are often present on the same plant.
Inflorescence
The flowers are axillary, either isolated or grouped in small numbers on a contracted inflorescence with a stalk of 1 to 10 cm long (up to 18 cm).
Flower
The stalk measuring 1 to 2 cm long. Sepals are unequal: the external are elliptical (6 to 10 mm long, without their extension in point), terminating by a filiform elongate tip (5 to 9 mm long), the internal are subcircular (12 mm diameter) with triangular tip (3 to 4 mm long). The corolla is white and consists of a tapered tube (7 to 12 cm long and 5 to 6 mm in diameter) and a wheel-shaped lamina, 5-lobed (8 to 10 cm diameter) . The flowers open very quickly, at the dusk. The 5 stamens, with slender filaments, are inserted in the upper 1/3 of the tube of the corolla and are external. The ovary is conical and glabrous, with a long filiform stigma, ending by an external stigma.
Fruit
The fruit is an ovoid capsule, 20 to 25 mm in diameter, ending in a point, supported by a thickened pedicel. The calyx is persistent, and continues to grow after fertilization. The fruit contains 4 seeds.
Seed
Seeds are subtrigonal, 10 to 12 mm long and 7-9 mm wide. They are glabrous or contains small scattered applied hairs.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Nomenclature and Classification
No Data
📚 Natural History
Life Cycle
Life cycle
Annual
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Mayotte: Ipomoea alba flowers from November to May and fruits from January to July.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Reproduction
Ipomoea alba is an annual or perennial vine, that can be woody at the base; it multiplies by seed or by fragmentation of rooted stems at the nodes. Seeds and stem cuttings are dispersed by water.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
There is content in another language. Please click here to read it. (Français)
Morphology
Growth form
Liana
Liana climbing structure
Liana without tendril
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Type of prefoliation
Leaf ratio medium
Broad leaves
Latex
Without latex
Stem section
Round
Root type
Taproot
Hollow or solid stem
Solid stem
Stipule type
No stipule
Leaf attachment type
with petiole
Fruit type
Capsule splitting vertically in 3 carpels
Lamina base
cordate
Lamina margin
entire
Lamina apex
acuminate
Upperface pilosity
Glabrous
Lowerface pilosity
Glabrous
Simple leaf type
Lamina elliptic
Lamina trilobed
Lamina section
flat
Lamina Veination
Palmate
Flower color
White
Inflorescence type
Pedonculate glomerule
Axillary solitary flower
Stem pilosity
Glabrous
Life form
Broadleaf plant
Climber
Distinction of Ipomoea species from flower color and leaf shape
.
| flower color | leaf shape | flower size | species | |||
| red |
 |
cordate entire to trilobed with tines |
L 2,5-3 cm diam 2-2,5 cm |
Ipomoea hederifolia | ||
 |
pinnate |
L 3-3,5 cm diam 1,5-2 cm |
Ipomoea quamoclit | |||
| pink |
 |
hastate entire |
L 4-5 cm diam 5-8 cm |
Ipomoea aquatica | ||
 |
cordate trilobed |
L 2 cm diam 1,8-2,5 cm |
Ipomoea triloba | |||
 |
sagitate entire |
L 0,6-1 cm diam 1-1,5 cm |
Ipomoea eriocarpa | |||
| blue violet |
 |
cordate entire to trilobed |
L 5-7 cm diam 7 cm |
Ipomoea indica | ||
 |
cordate entire |
L 2,5-5 cm diam 4-6 cm |
Ipomoea purpurea | |||
| blue |
 |
cordate trilobed |
L 5-6 cm diam 4-6 cm |
Ipomoea nil | ||
| white |
 |
sagitate entire |
L 0,6-1 cm diam 1-1,5 cm |
Ipomoea eriocarpa | ||
 |
cordate entire |
L 1,5-2,5 cm diam 1,5-2 cm |
Ipomoea obscura | |||
 |
palmate |
L 2-3 cm diam 3-5 cm |
Merremia aegyptia | |||
 |
cordate entire to trilobed |
L 7-12 cm diam 8-10 cm |
Ipomoea alba | |||
| yellow |
cordate entire |
L 3-4 cm diam 4-6 cm |
Ipomoea ochracea | |||
 |
cordate entire |
L 2-3 cm diam 2-3 cm |
Merremia umbellata | |||
.
Thomas Le Bourgeois, Marnotte Pascal
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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Look Alikes
| Pinnatisect leaf blade (*) | Ipomoea quamoclit | |||||
| palmate lamina (*) | Merremia aegyptia | |||||
| palmatisect leaf blade (*) | No supernumerary lobes at the base of the leaf | Entire leaf margin | Merremia dissecta | |||
| Highly serrated leaf margin | Ipomoea coptica | |||||
| Supernumerary lobes at the base of the leaf | Ipomoea cairica | |||||
| limbe simple trilobé | Stem with latex | Ipomoea batatas | ||||
| Stem without latex | stem and leaf hirsute | Ipomoea nil | ||||
| stem and leaf pubescent | Ipomoea indica | |||||
| stema nd leaf usually glabrous | well marked lobes | Ipomoea triloba | ||||
| slightly marked lobes | Ipomoea hederifolia | |||||
| limbe simple entier | tige à latex | Hollow stem, aquatic plant | Ipomoea aquatica | |||
| Solid stem, terrestrial plant | Ipomoea batatas | |||||
| tige sans latex | stem glabrous | Entire margin | Ipomoea alba | |||
| Margin marked by 2 to 5 tines | Ipomoea hederifolia | |||||
| tige pubescente | sagittate leaf blade | margin of the leaf glabrous | Ipomoea eriocarpa | |||
| ovate leaf blade | margin of the leaf ciliated | Jacquemontia tamnifolia | ||||
| Leaf blade cordate at the base | leaf blade pubescent | leaves small. always simple | Ipomoea purpurea | |||
| leaves large often trilobed | Ipomoea indica | |||||
| leaf blade usually glabrous | apiculate tip | Ipomoea obscura | ||||
(*)
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Distinction between Ipomoea species from cotyledon shape
.
| V-shaped |
free branches or preety much |
branches highly apart | 40 mm long |
 |
Ipomoea quamoclit |
| branches slightly apart | 40 mm long |
 |
Ipomoea aquatica | ||
| 20 mm long |
 |
Ipomoea obscura | |||
| branches welded at the base | 20 mm long |
 |
Ipomoea triloba | ||
| bilobed | 12 mm long |
 |
Ipomoea eriocarpa | ||
| 25 mm long |
 |
Ipomoea nil | |||
| slightly indented | petiolate | 20 mm long |
 |
Ipomoea indica | |
| long petiolate | 25 - 30 mm long |
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Ipomoea hederifolia | ||
| shortly petiolate | 25 - 30 mm long |
 |
Merremia aegyptia | ||
| indented with basal tooth | petiolate | 15 mm long and width |
 |
Ipomoea purpurea | |
Thomas Le Bourgeois, Marnotte Pascal
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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There is content in another language. Please click here to read it. (Français)
Ecology
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Madagascar: Ipomoea alba grows on alluvial soils along river edges and canals, on the edge of the forests and along the cultures. It is rarely a weed of crops. It is present in areas of low altitude on fairly rich soil, in more or less shaded conditions.
Mauritius: Species mainly present in abandoned areas at the edge of rivers, where it invades and covers the surrounding vegetation.
Mayotte: I. alba is an exotic species commonly naturalized in secondarized environments of hygrophilous and mesophilous regions. It grows in crops, villages, along roadsides, in ditches and in agroforests.
Reunion: Ipomoea alba was introduced as an ornamental plant ; it is now naturalized in several places in the island. Ipomoea alba is present in hedges and edges of forest areas.Until now, this species does not behave as a weed of crops.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Habitat and Distribution
General Habitat
Habitat
Terrestrial
Marshland
Description
Geographical distibution
Reunion Island
Mauritius
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Origin
Ipomoea alba is native to Central and South America.
Worldwide distribution
South and Central America, Southern USA and the Caribbean, Madagascar, Mauritius, Australia.
Ipomoea alba is native to Central and South America.
Worldwide distribution
South and Central America, Southern USA and the Caribbean, Madagascar, Mauritius, Australia.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Occurrence
No Data
📚 Demography and Conservation
Risk Statement
Global harmfulness
Ipomoea alba has become invasive in South Africa, some Pacific islands, the Galapagos Islands, and New South Wales (Australia).
Local harmfulness
Madagascar : Ipomoea alba is an infrequent and not very abundant species.
Mauritius: A locally very abundant species that can cover the whole vegetation, especially along the river banks.
Reunion Island: Ipomoea alba does not behave as a crop weed. Ipomoea alba is an invasive liana, but only in anthropized environments. This liana does not represent a significant and immediate threat to agricultural and natural environments.
Ipomoea alba has become invasive in South Africa, some Pacific islands, the Galapagos Islands, and New South Wales (Australia).
Local harmfulness
Madagascar : Ipomoea alba is an infrequent and not very abundant species.
Mauritius: A locally very abundant species that can cover the whole vegetation, especially along the river banks.
Reunion Island: Ipomoea alba does not behave as a crop weed. Ipomoea alba is an invasive liana, but only in anthropized environments. This liana does not represent a significant and immediate threat to agricultural and natural environments.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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No Data
📚 Uses and Management
Uses
Food: In Madagascar, young leaves and fruiting peduncles of Ipomoea alba are eaten as leafy vegetables.
Ornamental: Because of its large, fragrant night-blooming flowers, I. alba is used as an ornamental plant in gardens.
Ornamental: Because of its large, fragrant night-blooming flowers, I. alba is used as an ornamental plant in gardens.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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No Data
📚 Information Listing
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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References
- DERON Th. 2001. Flore de Madagascar et des Comores, 171è Famille CONVOLVULACEES p. 166-168.
- Barthelat, F. 2019. La Flore illustrée de Mayotte. Meze, Paris, France, Collection Inventaires et Biodiversité, Biotope – Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle. 487 p.
- Bosser J. & Heine H. 2000. Flore des Mascareignes, Vol. 127 Convolvulacées. in Bosser J., Fergusson I.K. Soopramanien C. ed. Flore des Mascareignes, La Réunion, Maurice, Rodrigues. MSIRI, Maurice, IRD, France, RBG, UK.
- Flora of China
Information Listing > References
- DERON Th. 2001. Flore de Madagascar et des Comores, 171è Famille CONVOLVULACEES p. 166-168.
- Barthelat, F. 2019. La Flore illustrée de Mayotte. Meze, Paris, France, Collection Inventaires et Biodiversité, Biotope – Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle. 487 p.
- Bosser J. & Heine H. 2000. Flore des Mascareignes, Vol. 127 Convolvulacées. in Bosser J., Fergusson I.K. Soopramanien C. ed. Flore des Mascareignes, La Réunion, Maurice, Rodrigues. MSIRI, Maurice, IRD, France, RBG, UK.
- Flora of China
Images
Herbarium picures ReCOLNAT : https://explore.recolnat.org/search/botanique/simplequery=Ipomoea%2520alba
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
There is content in another language. Please click here to read it. (Français)
No Data
🐾 Taxonomy
| Root | Root |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Solanales |
| Family | Convolvulaceae |
| Genus | Ipomoea |
| Species | Ipomoea alba L. |
📊 Temporal Distribution
📷 Related Observations
