Ipomoea nil

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 : 418-419

19. Ipomoea nil ( L.) Roth, Catal. Bot. 1: 36. 179). Lectotype (designated by Verdcourt, 1957: 232–

233): Iconotype, Dillenius, Hort. Eltham. 96, t. 80,

f. 91. 1732.

Annual herbs. Stems twining, terete, 1 mm in diam., pubescent with bristly simple whitish hairs. Leaf simple, entire or 3-lobed, ovate to circular in outline, 4–14 × 3–13.5 cm, apex acuminate, base cordate, pubescent with appressed whitish simple hairs on both surfaces, denser below; petiole 1.5–4 cm long, densely villose with bristly simple whitish hairs. Inflorescence: peduncle 2–10 cm long, densely hirsute with whitish hairs; bracteoles linear to filiform, 5–8 mm long. Flower: pedicel 5–10 mm long, with similar pubescence to the peduncle. Sepals subequal, linear-lanceolate, 15– 28 × 3.5 mm wide, densely pilose with spreading hairs, persistent in fruits. Corolla funnel-shaped, (4–) 5–6 cm long, blue to mauve with paler tube, often white inside, glabrous. Stamens included; filaments unequal, the longest 20–22 mm long, the shortest 12–15 mm long, widened and pubescent with long hairs at the base; anthers oblong, base sagittate, 3 mm long. Ovary ovoid, 3-locular, glabrous; style filiform; stigmas 2-globose. Fruits ovoid to globose, 8–12 mm long, opening by 3 valves, glabrous, surmounted by the persisting base of the style, enclosed by the calyx; seed obovoidtrigonal, 4.5–6 mm long, black, puberulous with fine greyish hairs.

Flowering & fruiting: Flowers and Fruits from September to December ( Heine,1963).

Habitat: A climbing annual, growing primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome ( POWO, 2024). They can grow up to elevations of 400 m.

Distribution: Native in tropical and subtropical America ( POWO, 2024), cultivated as ornamental, or escaped from cultivation elsewhere. In Ghana: Greater Accra and Brong Ahafo regions ( Fig. 7 ).

Specimens examined: GHANA, Greater Accra region, La Nkwantanang Madina, Legon Botanical Gardens , 19.10.1969, A. A . Enti 42762( GC); Ibid., 25.10.1961, J. K . Morton 5010 ( GC); Ibid. , 16.10.1965, M . Abedi Lartey MAL/1 ( GC) ; Ashanti region, Bobiri F. R., 24.10.1963, A. A . Enti 35246 ( GC) .

Conservation status: Not evaluated.

Uses: The seeds of Ipomoea nil are used as laxatives and purgatives ( Burkill, 1985). In Indonesia, Ipomoea nil has environmental and social uses as animal food, poison and medicine and for food ( POWO, 2024).

Figures

Fig. 7. DiStribution reCordS of I. violacea L., I. indica (Burm.) Merr., I. nil (L.) Roth,I. batatas (L.) Lam.and I. triloba L.in Ghana.