Ipomoea asarifolia Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg.

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 : 409

5. Ipomoea asarifolia Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. , ed. 15 bis 4: 251. 1819. Type: SENEGAL,

Roussillon s.n. (holo P-LA [P-LAM00357544]; iso

P-JUSS [P-JUSS6798]).

Perennial herbs. Stems prostrate, sometimes twinning, terete or angular, puberulent, with longitudinal ridges. Leaves simple, circular to reniform, 3.5–7 (–13) × 3.5–8.5 (–18) cm, apex obtuse to emarginate, base cordate with rounded lobes, margins entire, glabrous, subcoriaceous; petiole 3–8.5 (–13) cm long, glabrous, thickened and with longitudinal ridges, or minutely muricate. Inflorescences lax, peduncle 2–5 (–9.2) cm; bracteoles ovate, lanceolate, minute, 1–2 mm long. Flowers few: pedicel 1–3 cm long, glabrous. Sepals unequal, elliptic-oblong, apex obtuse, mucrunolate; outer ones shorter, 5–8 mm long, more or less muricate; inner ones longer, 8–11 mm long. Corolla funnel-shaped, reddish purple, 6–8 cm long, glabrous. Fruits globose, 8.5–10.2 mm long; seeds not seen.

Flowering & fruiting: Flowers and fruits from January to April, although produces flowers all year round ( Heine, 1963)

Habitat: A scrambling herb, growing primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome ( POWO, 2024); in sandy areas and waste places in Africa; in marshy grasslands and waysides at elevations up to 600 m ( Prota, 2024).

Distribution: Widely distributed across tropical regions ( POWO, 2024). In Ghana: Upper East, Eastern, Upper West, Greater Accra, Northern and Central regions ( Fig. 3).

Specimens examined: GHANA, Eastern Region, Bunso , 6°17’19”N, 0°28’39”W, s.coll. s.n. ( MO) ; Upper East Region, Bals of White Volta on road from Bolgatanga to Bawku , 10°47’36”N ,

0°51’38”W, 04.04.1953, Morton s.n. ( GC) ; Before nyankpala, 22.05.1952, Morton s.n. ( GC) ; Busufo grassland, 19.12.1950, Adams & Akpabla s.n. ( GC) ;

Yamlapa, 01.06.1958, Harris s.n. ( GC); Northern region, Old Dam at Tamale, 18.01.1966, A . A . Enti & C . W . Agyakwa, VBS 468 ( GC) .

Conservation status: Not evaluated.

Uses: Whole plant is used for treating arthritis, rheumatism, lumbago, eye treatment; leaves are used for treating cutaneous and subcutaneous parasites ( Burkill, 1985); the leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable, also used as dye, tying material and tinder, purgative, abortifacient ( Prota, 2024).