Ipomoea batatas

A. P. S, Lima, M. T. A., Buril & Melo, J. I. M. de, 2024, Synopsis of Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) in the state of Paraíba, Brazilian Northeastern, Rheedea 34 (5), pp. 430-456 : 440-441

6. Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lamarck, Tabl. Encycl. 1: 465. 1793. Figs. 3e & 4f–g

Flowering & fruiting: Flowering from March to September; fruiting in March.

Distribution: Originally from America, cultivated in all tropical and subtropical regions of the planet. Wild plants are often found on roads near settlements or abandoned fields ( Wood et al., 2020). In Brazil, it occurs in all regions and phytogeographic domains ( Simão-Bianchini et al., 2024). In the study area, fertile material is rarely collected, found only in 4 municipalities in the IR of Campina Grande , in areas of Caatinga and Atlantic Forest.

Specimens examined: BRAZIL, Areia, Mata do Pau Ferro , 28.07.2011, fl., S. A. A. Lima 65 ( EAN!); Nova

Palmeira, Sítio Porteiras, propriedade de Zé de

Pedro, 19.07.2022, fl., A.P.S. Lima 42 ( HACAM!) .

Notes: This stoloniferous herb is easily recognized in the field by its prostrate, muricate branches, storage roots forming the “sweet potato”, robust peduncles, and sepals oblong with a cuspidate apex ending in a thin apical tip, margins ciliate, corolla campanulate, pink or pale lilac with a purple tube, longer than 3 cm, and included stamens.

Figures

Fig. 3. a. Ipomoea acanthocarpa (Choisy) Hochst. ex Schweinf. & Asch., Inflorescence–side view. b. I. alba L., Inflorescence–side view. c. I. asarifolia (Desr.) Roem. & Schult., Habit. d. I. bahiensis Willd. ex Roemer & Schultes, Inflorescence–lateral view emphasizing the calyx with subapical rostrum.e. I. batatas (L.) Lamarck,Flower–side view.f. I. blanchetti Choisy, Habit emphasizing the three-lobed leaf.g. I. brasiliana (Mart. ex Choisy) Meisner var.subincana (Choisy) J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, reproductive branch. h. I. carnea Jacq. subsp. fistulosa (Mart. ex Choisy) D.F. Austin, Habit. i. I. decipiens Dammer, Inflorescence. j–k. I. imperati (Vahl) Grisebach: j. Habit; k. Flower– top view (Photos a. B.F. Rocha; b-c, e. A.P.S. Lima; d. C.C. Correia;f. M.G.M. Gonçalves; g. E.M. Rodrigues; h. K.A. GorgÔnio;i-k. I.C.M. Albuquerque).

Fig. 4. a-b. Ipomoea acanthocarpa (Choisy) Hochst. ex Schweinf. & Asch.: a. Calyx; b. Fruit. c-e. I. aristolochiifolia G.Don; c. Reproductive branch,emphasizing the peduncle arising through the sinus at the base of the leaf; d. Calyx; e. Fruit. f-g. I. batatas (L.) Lamarck: f. Sepals;g. Fruit. h. I. batatoides Choisy: Reproductive branch. i: I. blanchetti Choisy: Reproductive branch. j-k. I. calyptrata Dammer: j. Reproductive branch; k. Calyx with persistent bracteoles. l. I. decipiens Dammer: Open calyx–posterior view. m-p. I. eremnobrocha D.F. Austin,: m. Reproductive branch; n. Sericeous indument and glands on the adaxial surface of the leaf; o. Flower, emphasizing the campanulate corolla; p. Fruit. q. I. hederifolia L., Inflorescence.r. I. heptaphylla Sweet, Reproductive branch.s. I. incarnata (Vahl) Choisy,Calyx and bracteoles (Drawn by F.Martins).