Ipomoea triloba

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 : 423-424

26. Ipomoea triloba L., Sp. Pl. 1: 161. 1753. Lectotype (designated by Austin, 1978: 127): Convolvovulus pentaphyllos minor, flore purpureo

Icon in Sloane, Voy. Jamaica 1: t. 97, f. 1. 1707.

Annual herbs. Stem prostate, glabrous or puberulous, especially on the nodes. Leaves simple, broadly ovate to circular in outline, 2.4–7.5 × 3–6.4 cm, apex attenuate, base cordate, margin coarsely dentate to deeply 3-lobed, glabrous or sparsely pubescent; petiole angular, 2.5–6 cm long, glabrous, sometimes tuberculate. Inflorescences umbelliform, peduncle (1–) 2.5–5.5 cm long, angular, verruculose at the apex, glabrous; bracteoles lanceolate to oblong-ovate, 1–2 mm long, glabrous. Flower: pedicel 5–8 mm long, sometimes angular, verruculose, pubescent at the base. Sepals subequal, 5–8 mm; outer sepals oblong, slightly shorter; inner sepals elliptic-oblong, all glabrous or sparsely pilose outside, margins fimbriate, apex obtuse or acute, mucronulate. Corolla funnel-shaped, 1.5–2 cm, pink or mauve, with dark purple center, glabrous; limb obtusely 5-pointed. Stamens included. Ovary pubescent. Fruits spherical to ovoid, globose, 3–10 mm long, 5–9 mm wide; opening by 4-valves; seeds spherical, rounded, 2–3.5 mm long, dark brown, glabrous.

Flowering & fruiting: Flowers and Fruits from December to May ( Heine, 1963).

Habitat: The species is found in grasslands, upland cultivated fields, roadsides, waste lands and disturbed sites; it is a climbing annual or perennial and grows primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome (CABI, 2021). This species can be found growing up to 160 m above sea-level.

Distribution: Native from Mexico to Brazil, and Caribbean ( Alencar et al., 2021; POWO, 2024). In Ghana: Greater Accra and Eastern regions ( Fig. 7 ). New record for Ghana.

Specimens examined: GHANA, Eastern region, Kade Agricultural Research Station , 6 o 8’28” N, 00 o 53’56” W, alt. 200 m, 22.12.1996, H. H . Schimdt , M . Merello , J . Amponsah & M . Chintoh 2271 ( MO, GC); Greater Accra, Maamobi, 04.05.1976, J. B . Hall 43692 ( GC) .

Conservation status: Least Concern ( Contreras & Wood, 2019).

Uses: The whole plant is used as painkillers ( Burkill, 1985).

Figures

Fig. 7. DiStribution reCordS of I. violacea L., I. indica (Burm.) Merr., I. nil (L.) Roth,I. batatas (L.) Lam.and I. triloba L.in Ghana.