Ipomoea involucrata P.Beauv., Fl. Oware

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 : 417

17. Ipomoea involucrata P.Beauv., Fl. Oware 2: 52, t. 89. 1816. Type: NIGERIA / BÉNIN, Oware, Palisot de Beauvois s.n. (holo G [ G00023040 !]).

Annual or perennial herbs. Stems creeping or climbing, densely hirsute with yellowish hairs, to glabrescent. Leaves simple, ovate, 2–8 × 1.5–7 cm, base cordate, apex attenuate-acuminate to obtuse, mucronate, base cordate, glabrous to densely tomentose on both surfaces; petiole 1.3–8 cm long, pubescent. Inflorescences in dense heads, enclosed within a bracteal involucre; peduncles 2–12 (–16) cm, pubescent; outer bracteoles connate into large pubescent foliaceous boat-shaped involucre, with 2 cups, 3–6 × 0.8–1.5 cm, green, pubescent, inner bracteoles small, linear-oblong to obovate, 1.5–2 × 0.2–0.4 cm, acute to aristate at the apex. Flower: pedicel 1.5–3 mm, pubescent. Sepals narrowly elliptic, glabrescent to densely pubescent; outer ones lanceolate and acute, 6–15 × 4 mm; inner ones ovate, shorter. Corolla funnel-shaped, purple, rose-red, mauve, white or white with dark purple centre, 3–5 cm long, midpetaline bands pilose on the outside. Stamens unequal, the longer ones 10–15 mm, the shorter ones 5–7 mm, widened and pubescent at the base; anthers white, 1.7–2 mm, sagittate at the base. Ovary ovoid, c. 1 mm, glabrous; style 8–13 mm; stigmas 2, white, globose. Fruits globose, opening by 4 valves, 6 mm wide, glabrous; seeds pubescent or glabrous, 3.5–4 mm long, blackish, glabrous to shortly pubescent.

Flowering & fruiting: Flowers and Fruits all year round, especially from July to December ( Heine,1963).

Habitat: Creepers on the roadside of the main road. They can grow up to 500 m above sea-level.

Distribution: The native range of I. involucrata is tropical and South Africa ( POWO, 2024). In Ghana: Eastern, Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western, Oti, Central and Volta regions ( Fig. 5 ).

Specimens examined (selected): GHANA, Ashanti region, Atewa range, 6°14’30’’N, 0°32’30’’W, 08.07.1994 , C. C. H. Jongkind, D . K. Abbiw & C. M. Markwei 1561 ( GC); Western region , Amenfi east, Akropong, 25.08.1898 , W. H. Johnson 154 ( GC); Ankasa Forest Resource Reserve, Ankasa based camp to Nkwanta guard camp, c. 5.0 km., 5 o 13’06’’N, 2 o 39’06’’W, alt 150-230 m, 13.02.1999 ,

H. H. Schimdt , J. Stone , J. Amponsah & M. Chintoh 3383 ( GC); Oti region, Kete Krachi, Mpuseto , 01.12.1951 , J.K. Morton 6430 ( GC); Central region, Cape Coast, 30.05.1962 , J.B. Hall 2328 (GC).

Conservation status: Not evaluated.

Uses: The leaf sap is used as abortifacients and for the menstrual cycle; the seeds are used as laxatives, purgatives and enemas; the leaves are used in Medicine for treating pulmonary ailments; the leaves and roots are used as food, either cooked or uncooked ( Burkill, 1985).

Figures

Fig. 5. DiStribution reCordS of I. heterotricha Didr.,I. argentaurata Hallier, I. delpierrei DeWild. and I. involucrata P.Beauv.in Ghana.