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Ipomoea - L.

Common Name Moonflower, Tropical white morning-glory
Family Convolvulaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Wet forests, watercourses and disturbed areas in China[266].
Range Pantropical.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Ipomoea Moonflower, Tropical white morning-glory


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Ipomoea Moonflower, Tropical white morning-glory
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Ipomoea is an evergreen Perennial Climber growing to 10 m (32ft 10in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Calonyction aculeatum. C. album.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Young leaves and fleshy calyces - cooked. Steamed and eaten as a vegetable or used in curries, soups, stews etc[183]. They can also be dried for later use[183]. Seed - eaten when young[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


The whole herb is used in treating snakebite[266].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a fertile well-drained loam in a warm sunny position[200]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. Another report says that plants need a minimum temperature of 5°c if they are to overwinter successfully[260]. A short-lived perennial or biennial species[187]. A fast-growing climbing plant, it is best grown as a temporary screen in the garden or along the boundary edge[200]. Plants need a long period of growth to reach flowering size and so are not very suitable for growing in pots in a greenhouse[260]. A climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around the branches of other plants[219]. The plant forms tubercles (baby tubers) on the stems and can be propagated by them[260]. The aromatic flowers open of a night time[188].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water, or scarify the seed, and sow in individual pots in a greenhouse in early spring. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 weeks at 22°c. Plants are extremely resentful of root disturbance, even when they are quite small, and should be potted up almost as soon as they germinate[219]. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter then plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of side shoots in a peaty soil. Layering. Plants form tubercles on their stems[260]. These can be stored overwinter in a slightly moist medium such as sand or leafmould, keeping them in a cool but frost-free place. Pot them up in early spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Ipomoea albaMoonflower, Tropical white morning-gloryPerennial Climber10.0 7-10 FLMNM210
Ipomoea aquaticaKangkong, Swamp Morning GloryAnnual/Perennial0.5 10-12 FLMHNMWeWa422
Ipomoea batatasSweet Potato, Black Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato VinePerennial Climber3.0 10-12 FLMNM503
Ipomoea jalapaJalapClimber3.0 -  LMHSNM03 
Ipomoea leptophyllaBush Moon FlowerPerennial1.2 8-11  LMHNM321
Ipomoea nilJapanese Morning Glory, Whiteedge morning-gloryAnnual5.0 8-11 FLMHNM02 
Ipomoea pandurataWild Potato Vine, Man of the earthPerennial Climber3.5 6-9 FLMHNM322
Ipomoea purpureaCommon Morning Glory, Tall morning-gloryAnnual Climber2.5 6-9 FLMHNM020
Ipomoea sagittataSaltmarsh Morning Glory, Saltmarsh morning-glory 0.0 0-0  LMHSNM01 
Ipomoea tricolorMorning Glory, GrannyvinePerennial Climber5.0 10-11 FLMHNM01 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

L.

Botanical References

200266

Links / References

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