Ipomoea blepharophylla Hallier f., Bot. Jahrb. Syst.

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 : 410-411

7. Ipomoea blepharophylla Hallier f., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 18(1-2): 125. 1893. Lectotype (designated by Verdcourt, 1963): SUDAN, Gr Periba Ghattas , Schweinfurth 1818 (B †; isolecto K [ K000097006 ], P-GA [ P00434136 !]).

Perennial herbs, on a woody rootstock. Stems several, prostrate, slender, densely hirsute with yellowish appressed hairs. Leaves lanceolate or narrowly oblong-linear, 0–8 × 1.3–2.5 cm, base rounded or subcordate, apex obtuse or mucronate, margin entire, nearly glabrous or with odd hairs on midrib above and margins and veins beneath, ciliate at the apex; petiole up to 1.5 cm long, pubescent. Inflorescences, flowers solitary; peduncle 1.5–2 cm long, pubescent; bracteoles narrowly ovate to lanceolate, unequal in length, c. 3.5 mm long, pubescent; pedicel up to 1 cm long, pubescent, longer in fruit. Sepals unequal, apex acute, covered in long appressed hairs, outer ones shorter, up to 18 mm long and 4 mm wide, pubescent and ciliate, inner ones more narrowly ovate, slightly longer than the inner. Corolla narrowly funnel-shaped, c. 2.5 cm, 3 times longer than sepals, pale or red-purple with darker lines and throat, distinctly narrower below the tube, with long white hairs at the apex of the midpetaline bands. Stamens included; filaments slightly unequal, widened and pubescent at the base; anther ovoid, 2 mm long, sagittate at the base; disc cup-shaped. Ovary ovoid, glabrous; stigmas 2-globose; style included. Fruits globose, 9–10 mm long, glabrous, apiculate, with persistent style; seeds brownish, 4–4.5 mm with appressed yellowish hairs, tomentose.

Habitat: Grasslands (often seasonally flooded), wooded grassland after burning, secondary forests (dry evergreen) or rocky hills; (550-) 1,080 –1,860 m ( Demissew, 2006; POWO, 2024).

Distribution: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Congo [Brazzaville], Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mali, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zaïre, Zimbabwe ( COL Checklist, 2022; POWO, 2024). In Ghana: Brong Ahafo, Upper East, Eastern and Volta regions ( Fig. 4 ).

Specimens examined: GHANA, Upper East Region, Red volta F . R ., Savannah , 24.11.1976, Hall & Swaine 46125 ( GC) ; Upper East Region, Zowse, hills near Bawku, Grassland , 08.11.1966, Hall & Enti 35996 ( GC) ; Volta Region, 7–8 m on Kete Krachi-atebubu road, 19.12.1956, C . D. Adam 4601 ( GC) ; Eastern Region, Jaketi on Afram plains, 01.03.1958, G . K . Akpabla 1876 ( GC) ; Upper West, Tumu resthouse, 25.05.1952, J . K . Morton 7564 (GC); Northern region: Kpandai Leprosarium , 01.08.1968, J . B . Hall 38753 ( GC) .

Conservation status: Not evaluated.

Figures

Fig. 4. DiStribution reCordS of I. stenobasis Brenan,I. eriocarpa R.Br., I. blepharophyllaHallier andI. coscinospermaHoChSt.ex ChoiSYin Ghana.