Ipomoea imperati
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- eye-poh-MEE-ah im-per-AH-tee
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Beach morning-glory is a perennail vine in the Convolvulaceae (morning glory) family. It is native to the coastlines of tropical and subtropical areas across the globe where it is found sprawling along sandy beaches and dunes. Ipomoea is Greek for ips, "worm", and homoios, or "similar to", refering to the long smooth stems resembling worms. The species imperati is Latin for "ruler" or "emperor".
This scrambling, creeping vine trails along the ground reaching great widths of up to 30 feet but is typically no more than 1/2 a foot tall. Growing best on dry to moist sandy soils in full sun. Beach morning-glory is tolerant of heat, drought, and wind, as well as salt spray. Propagate this plant by seed or division.
The large, showy funnel shaped whitle flowers open in the morning and close by afternoon blooming from early summer to fall. The stems root at the nodes providing stablization to the sandy dunes on which they grow.
Use in coastal landscapes as a groundcover.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Sweet potato weevil and spider mites are occasional problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ipomoea
- Species:
- imperati
- Family:
- Convolvulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical and Subtropical coastlines
- Wildlife Value:
- Bees and hummingbirds are attracted to this plant. Seeds provide food for small mammals.
- Climbing Method:
- Scrambler
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Vine
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Dry dehiscent capsule displays from September to November
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Large (2 in) white with yellow center, fused funnel shaped blooms appear from early summer to October.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Simple, fleshy, alternate leaves that have a notch in the apex. They vary in shape.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Long smooth stems, roots form at the nodes
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Hummingbirds
- Small Mammals
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Erosion
- Heat
- Salt
- Wind
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
