Ipomoea quamoclit

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 : 421-422

23. Ipomoea quamoclit L., Sp. Pl. 1: 159-160. 1753. Lectotype (designated by Biju, 2003: 755):

NETHERLANDS (cultivated), Clifford s.n. ( BM

[ BM 000558077!]).

Annual herbs. Stems twining or prostrate, slender, angular, longitudinally ridged, glabrous. Leaves pinnately compound, ovate to oblong in outline, 3.5–10 × 3–6 cm, glabrous, leaflets 8–19 per leaf, opposite to nearly so, linear to filiform, the two lower ones reflexed and bifid, glabrous; petiole 1–4 cm long, glabrous, with two leaflike, subsessile, pseudo-stipules at the base. Inflorescences: peduncle slender, 3–8 cm long, glabrous; bracteoles deciduous, triangular, 1–3 mm long. Flower: pedicel 1–2.5 (–4.2) cm long, slightly thickened at the apex, glabrous. Sepals unequal, oblong to ovate-elliptic, apex obtuse and mucronate, glabrous, outer ones oblong, 4–5 mm long, inner ones ovate-elliptic, slightly longer, c. 6 mm long; corolla hypocrateriform, 2.5–5 cm long, scarlet red-pink, glabrous, with a cylindrical tube, slightly and gradually narrowed towards the base, corolla lobes spreading, broadly triangular, acute and mucronate. Stamens exserted; filaments of equal length, filiform, 19–23 mm, widened and pubescent at the base, inserted 4–5 mm above the base of the tube; anther 1–2 mm long, sagittate at the base. Ovary ovoid, c. 1.5 mm long, glabrous, 4-locular; style filiform, 19–30 mm long, glabrous, widened and articulated at the base. Fruits ovoid to globose, c. 15 × c. 18 mm, opening by 4 valves, with persistent style; seed fusiform, blackish, sparsely pubescent.

Vernacular names: pania oke (Marquesas Islands); batatilla ( Panama); mayil manikkam (Southern India); ākāśamulla (Malayalam); tarulata, kamalata, kunjalata ( Bangladesh), cypress vine (English), cheveux de Venus (French), regadero (Spanish) ( Prota, 2024).

Flowering & fruiting: Flowers and Fruits between February and June ( Heine,1963).

Habitat: A climbing annual, growing primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome ( POWO, 2024). They can grow up to elevations of 300 m.

Distribution: Widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics, native from Mexico to Central America. In Ghana: Greater Accra, Ashanti and Volta regions ( Fig. 6). New record for Ghana.

Specimens examined: GHANA, Greater Accra Region, Achimota Garden, 5°37’23”N, 0°12’09”W, 02.02.1931, Asamany 4 ( GC) ; Achimota near Mr. Ateku’s bungalow, 5°36’27”N, 0°14’03”W, 20.06.1935, G. K . Akpabla 310 ( GC) ; Ashanti Region, Near Wesley College Kumasi, 6°42’43” N, 1°37’21” W, 27.04.1937, Onyeama 38 ( GC) ; Volta region, Peki, 29.03.1955, E . D. Offori 34 ( GC) .

Conservation status: Not evaluated.

Uses: The leaves are used for general healing, treatment for haemorrhoids and for food, stems and roots for treatment of physical weakness, abnormal behaviour, sinking of voice, bleeding from cuts and wounds, piles, snakebites and constipation ( Burkill, 1985).