Ipomoea
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- eye-poh-MEE-a
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Ipomoea is a genus of tenacious, flowering vines, shrubs, and small trees with over 600 species, and includes such commonly known plants as Morning Glory, Sweet Potato, and Moonflower. Species in this genus feature blooms of pink, lavender and purple or blue that open each morning and fade at night. They tolerate a wide range of average to poor soil and sunny to partial shade conditions. Though they are not perennial and grow from seed, they are very successful at spreading quickly, returning annually and can be difficult to control if allowed to get out of hand. The genus name comes from two Greek words: ips meaning "worm" and homoios meaning "resembling", in reference to the sprawling underground roots of plants in this genus or to the worm-like twining plant habit.
To plant, nick the hard seed coat and soak overnight before planting. They are not listed as invasive in North Carolina but are listed on the USDA Noxious Weed site and in several surrounding states. Some varieties may be poisonous. In addition to the morning glory, Ipomoea also includes cypress vine and several cultivars. Many species in this genus will require a trellis, arbor, or other structure to support its vertical climbing habit.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:
No major pest or disease problems of note; however the plant can reseed readily in warmer climates and may become problematic if the seedlings are left unchecked.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Beach Morning Glory
- 'Red Fox'
Wide vine with white flowers, salt tolerant. Cardinal climber
Red summer flowers Cypress vine
Small scarlet flowers and fern-like foliage Firecracker Vine
Irregular, upright flower clusters. Heavenly Blue
China blue flowers open in morning fading by night Madame Ann
Variety of flower colors of morning glory vine Moonflower
Nocturnal white flowers
Annual vine with red flowers. Saltmarsh Morning glory
Native perennial variety found on Coastal Plain Sweet potato vine
Cultavars: 'Sweet Caroline' 'Blackie' 'Sulfur' 'Pink Frost' 'Margarita' 'Tembele' Wild sweet potato vine
Native perennial variety found in Piedmont and Mountains - 'Red Fox'
- Beach Morning Glory, Cardinal climber, Cypress vine, Firecracker Vine, Heavenly Blue, Madame Ann, Moonflower, 'Red Fox', Red Morning Glory, Saltmarsh Morning glory, Sweet potato vine, Wild sweet potato vine
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Beach Morning Glory
- 'Red Fox'
Wide vine with white flowers, salt tolerant. Cardinal climber
Red summer flowers Cypress vine
Small scarlet flowers and fern-like foliage Firecracker Vine
Irregular, upright flower clusters. Heavenly Blue
China blue flowers open in morning fading by night Madame Ann
Variety of flower colors of morning glory vine Moonflower
Nocturnal white flowers
Annual vine with red flowers. Saltmarsh Morning glory
Native perennial variety found on Coastal Plain Sweet potato vine
Cultavars: 'Sweet Caroline' 'Blackie' 'Sulfur' 'Pink Frost' 'Margarita' 'Tembele' Wild sweet potato vine
Native perennial variety found in Piedmont and Mountains - 'Red Fox'
- Beach Morning Glory, Cardinal climber, Cypress vine, Firecracker Vine, Heavenly Blue, Madame Ann, Moonflower, 'Red Fox', Red Morning Glory, Saltmarsh Morning glory, Sweet potato vine, Wild sweet potato vine
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ipomoea
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Genus includes food crops such as sweet potato.
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- United States and Mexico, South America, Africa, South Asia
- Distribution:
- Native or introduced to eastern and central Canada and continental United States.
- Wildlife Value:
- Minimal
- Climbing Method:
- Twining
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Vine
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Creeping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Tendrils
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Globose to ovoid capsules, mostly 4 to 6-valved or splitting irregularly.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Trumpet
- Flower Petals:
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Trumpet or funnel-shaped flowers in colors varying from blue through purple to red, pink and white.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Large heart-shaped leaves, often lobed or divided, but less often compound.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- usually twining, sometimes prostrate or floating, glabrous or pubescent.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Rock Wall
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
