Ipomoea pyrophila A.Chev., Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat., Ser. II.

B. D., Williams, R. C., Francisco, B., Mewded, C. P., Oppong, C. B., Ayensu, C. W., Masinde, D. B., Chukwuma, A. G., Deresa, D. D., Yeboah, F., Rasaminirina, U. P., Igho-Osagie, M. J., Korir, K. B., Antwi-Boasiako, R. A., Mfodwo, A. S. M., Mutegeki, P., Atta-Adjei, P. K., Akomatey, S., Kumordzie, R., Borosova, C., Tang, A., Asase, G., Ameka & Simões, A. R. G., 2024, Advancing knowledge of West African morning glories: a taxonomic account of Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) from Ghana, Rheedea 34 (5), pp. 397-429 : 421

22. Ipomoea pyrophila A.Chev., Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat., Ser. II. 5: 235. 1933. Type: MALI, Koundian, Chevalier 421 ( P [ P00434165 !]) .

Geophytic, slender trailing herbs; woody rootstock. Stems prostrate or climbing, densely covered in yellowish indumentum. Leaves simple, oblong-ovate to broadly lanceolate, (1.4–) 2.5–5 × 1.2–2.2 cm, apex retuse to obtuse and rounded, sometimes mucronate, base auriculate, sparsely yellowish pubescent above, trichomes appressed to the leaf surface, densely white and yellowish tomentose below, with hairs concentrated on the veins and midrib; petiole 1.7–3 cm long, curved, densely pubescent with yellowish indumentum. Inflorescences: peduncle (1.1–) 1.3–5.2 cm, densely tomentose, with whitish spreading hairs; bracteoles narrowly elliptic to linear, up to 7 mm, pubescent. Flower: pedicels 3–6(–13) mm long, slightly thicker than the peduncle, with similar pubescence. Sepals subequal, lanceolate to oblanceolate, slightly narrower at the base, densely white tomentose; outer ones 6–10(–12) × 4–8 mm; inner ones 6 × 1.5–2 mm. Corolla funnel-shaped, up to 2.8 cm long, rosy-purple to pale violet with white lobes, sparsely pubescent on the outside. Stamens included; filaments unequal, two longer ones of 9 mm, three shorter ones of 7 mm, gradually widening and weakly pubescent at the base. Ovary globose; style included, c. 14 mm long, glabrous; stigmas 2-globose. Fruits globose, opening by 4-valves, 5–6 mm in diameter, glabrous; seeds pubescent, 3 mm long.

Flowering & fruiting: Flowers and Fruits from

March to June ( Heine, 1963).

Habitat: In savanna woodland after fires and in sub-montane forest margins. They can grow up to 450 m above sea level.

Distribution: West and Central Africa. In Ghana: Upper Eastern and Northern regions. New record for Ghana.

Specimens examined: GHANA Northern region, Top of Damongo Scarp, Savannah woodland, 27.03.1953, J. K . Morton 8726 ( GC); Upper Eastern region, On top of Gambaga hills, Savannah woodland, 05.05.1953, J. K . Morton 8967 (GC).

Conservation assessment: Not evaluated.