morning glory

Morning glory

Ipomoea indica (blue) Ipomoea cairica (coastal)
Ipomoeas can readily be seen spreading along road edges and favour disturbed and open areas. They are capable of totally engulfing host trees in a relatively short period of time.
Family: Convolvulaceae
Origin: South America
Habit: Robust and extensive twining perennial vine to 10m.
Leaves: Blue: Dark green; variably heart-shaped or 3-lobed, 20-180mm long. Coastal: Light green; hairless, 5-7 -lobed, star shaped leaves to 90mm long.
Flowers: Trumpet/funnel shaped flowers 50-80mm diameter; Purplish-blue (Blue), mauve to pale pink/red/white (Coastal). Spring-Autumn.
Fruit: Ipomoea cairica: 4-valved brown capsule containing 4-6 seeds, which have parachute-like attachments. No seed set in Ipomoea indica.
Roots: Fibrous initially, becoming dense, extensive and crown-like with age. Will set root from stem fragments when in contact with the soil.
Dispersal: Seed is spread by wind, water, animals, humans, contaminated soil (earthmoving equipment, car tyres etc) and garden refuse dumping. (particularly I. indica).
Control: Hand Dig, Skirting, Scrape and Paint, Foliar spray.
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