Ipomoea coscinosperma Hochst. ex Choisy

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 : 412

9. Ipomoea coscinosperma Hochst. ex Choisy in DC., Prodr. 9: 354. 1845. Lectotype (designated by Verdcourt, 1963: 92): SUDAN, Kordofan , s.d., Kotschy 17(G[ G00135555 ];isolectoG[ G00135516 ,

G00023044, G00023045], K [K000097015], MO

[MO-2367140], P [P00434153], S [S11-40181],

WAG [WAG0000757]).

Perennial, or sometimes annual, herbs. Stems several, stout, suberect to prostrate, up to 3 m long, glabrescent or pilose. Leaves simple, linear-lanceolate to oblong,2.4–8 × 0.5–2cm,base cuneate or obtuse, apex subacute to obtuse and mucronate, margin entire, glabrescent or pilose; petioles 0.5– 1.2 cm long. Inflorescences cymose; peduncles inconspicuous, up to 5 mm long; bracteoles pilose, linear, inconspicuous, c. 4 mm long. Flower: pedicels inconspicuous, up to 5 mm long. Sepals subequal, ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, c. 6 mm long, up to 1.2 cm in fruit, apex long-attenuate, covered with long, white hairs, with hyaline lower margins. Corolla narrowly funnel-shaped, small, only slightly longer than the calyx, red or white, 5–8 mm long. Fruits globose, glabrous, apiculate, with style base persistent, 5–7.5 mm in diam.; seeds brown, shortly pubescent, 3 mm long.

Vernacular names: ñiñéni, manding-bambara ( Senegal) ( Burkill, 1985).

Flowering & fruiting: Flowers and fruits between December to May ( Roux, 2003).

Habitat: Grows primarily in the Seasonally Dry Tropical biomes ( POWO, 2024). They can grow up to elevations of 250 m.

Distribution: Native to Botswana, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, KwaZulu-Natal, Mali, Mauritania, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Northern Provinces, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe ( POWO, 2024). In Ghana: Upper East region ( Fig. 4 ).

Specimens examined: GHANA, Upper East Region, Near Bongo, on route to Nangodi , N. T. S, 15.11.1959, J. K . Morton A3804 ( GC) .

Conservation assessment: Not evaluated.

Uses: The whole plant parts are used in traditional medicine and fodder for livestock ( Prota, 2024).

Figures

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