Ipomoea verbascoidea Choisy, Mém. Soc. Phys. Genève

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 : 424-425

27. Ipomoea verbascoidea Choisy, Mém. Soc. Phys. Genève 8(1): 56. 1838. Type: ANGOLA,

s.d., J.J. da Silva s.n. (holo P [P00150787!]; iso P

[P00150788!]).

Shrubs, or stout lianas, with an enlarged storage root. Stems suberect to climbing, subcylindrical, longitudinally striate, white or yellow tomentose in young state, becoming sparsely pubescent to glabrous with age. Leaves ovate to suborbicular, 4–15 × 3–17 cm, apex rounded to retuse and shortly apiculate, base cordate to truncate, margin entire to slightly sinuate, adaxial face finely pubescent, abaxial face densely floccose tomentose, white to greyish; petiole 2–10 cm, pubescent, carrying 2 glands at the insertion of the leaf lamina. Inflorescences: peduncle 1–3 cm, tomentose as the stem; bracteoles slightly unequal, linear-oblong, up to 2 cm long, tomentose, carinate. Flower: pedicel c. 1 cm long, pubescent. Sepals subequal, broadly elliptic, coriaceous, pubescent; outer ones 11–16 × 6–8 mm; inner ones 13–17 × (5–) 7 mm. Corolla broadly tubular, 6–12 cm long, pink, mauve or white, with darker purple center, glabrous. Stamens of equal length, up to 6 cm long, widened and pubescent at the base; anther narrowly obloid, 6–12 mm long, sagittate at the base. Ovary ovoid, 2.5–3 mm long, 2-locular, 4-celled, glabrous; style filiform, 4.6–8 (–8.5) cm long; stigmas 2, globose. Fruits oblong ovoid, opening by 4-valves, glabrous, completely enclosed by the persisting coriaceous sepals; seeds ovoid, 6–8 mm, brown, densely pubescent, covered in long cottony white hairs.

Vernacular names: damara creeper (English); damarawinde (German). In Namibia, known by several names: ‘hoan (Ju), n!’huru (Kungbushmen); engamukuiju (Kwanyama); engamukuiyu (Oshikwanyama); engamukuiyu (Oshiwambo); otjindwapa (Otjiherero) (Verdcourt, 1963; Prota, 2024).

Flowering & fruiting: Reported to flower at different times of the year in different countries; in Southern Africa, reported to flower from November to March; in Namibia, it flowers in midsummer ( Prota, 2024).

Habitat: Often found growing in woodlands, open grassland, at elevations from 490–1,525 m; some populations can be found in forests, also in subhumid, dry, subarid environments.

Distribution: Native to and occurs in Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Caprivi Strip, Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zaïre, Zimbabwe. In Ghana: Ashanti region and Brong Ahafo region ( Fig. 1 ).

Specimens examined: GHANA, Northern region, Konkori, Mole National Park , 28.07.1976, Hall & Lack 46265 ( GC) .

Conservation status: Not evaluated.

Uses: The root can be used to obtain refreshing or lifesaving water (to quench thirst): the root is grated, the shavings put in one hand, squeezed and the liquid let to run down along the thumb right into the mouth; however, the liquid is said to negatively affect one’s ability to move and as a result one is forced to wait until the side effects wear off, for which there may be a slightly narcotic or paralysing effect; the Tswana people of Southern African countries pound the root in milk to make a potion for anorexia and poor weight gain. It is also used as food for bucks, especially antelope species ( Prota, 2024).

Figures

Fig. 1. DiStribution reCordS of I. verbascoidea ChoiSY, I. pyrophila A. Chev. and I. aitonii Lindl.in Ghana.