Ipomoea eriocarpa R.Br., Prodr. Fl.

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 : 413

11. Ipomoea eriocarpa R.Br., Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland. 484. 1810. Type: AUSTRALIA, New Holland, Banks & Solander s.n. (holo BM [ BM001040629 !]).

Annual herbs, on a woody base. Stems prostrate or climbing, slender, up to 1 cm in diam., pubescent to hispid, with a mixture of long and short hairs. Leaves simple, ovate to widely cordate and narrowly linear to oblong-mucronate, 2–10 × 0.8–7 cm, base subhastate with rounded lobes, apex long attenuate to acuminate and mucronate, pilose to strigose, hairs highly concentrated on the midrib and the veins; petiole 1–6 cm long, pubescent. Inflorescences rarely 1, subsessile or short pedunculate; peduncles 1–10 mm long, densely pubescent; bracteoles linear to narrowly ovate-elliptic, 3–8 mm, pubescent. Flower: pedicel c. 5 mm long, pubescent. Sepals subequal, ovate to lanceolate, apex acuminate, 6–8 mm long, hispid to pilose, ciliate, spreading in fruit, inner sepals slightly narrower. Corolla tubular to funnel-shaped, pink-purplish or rarely white, 6–9 × 13 mm, midpetaline areas pilose. Stamens included; filaments inserted at the base of the corolla, glabrous; anthers globose, 1 mm long; disc 0.4 mm high, pubescent. Ovary obpyriform, 2.5 mm high, hirsute, 2-locular, 4-celled; style distinctly articulate, 4 mm long; stigma 2-globose. Fruits ovoid-globose to globose, 5–6 mm in diam., pubescent, apiculate, with persistent style; seeds black-grey, trigonous-globose, 2.5 mm long, glabrous, finely punctate.

Vernacular names: manding-bambara gabi ( Senegal), manding-mandinka ( Gambia), mende kpokpo ( Sierra Leone), tiny morning glory (English), umurandaranda (Kirundi) ( Prota, 2024).

Flowering & fruiting: Flowers and fruits between November to January ( Heine,1963).

Habitat: Reported to be growing on grassland, hedgerows, waste spaces, cultivated ground, often on clay soils at altitudes of 0–1,350 m (Verdcourt, 1963); in Ethiopia, also in woodland habitat ( Combretum -Terminalia -Anogeissus woodland), up to 1,700 m ( Demissew, 2006).

Distribution: Native to tropical regions in Africa, Australia, Asia and Saudi Arabia. Introduced in Oman, Puerto Rico, Réunion, Windward Islands, Yemen ( POWO, 2024). In Ghana: Upper West, Northern, Eastern, Brong Ahafo, Eastern and Volta regions ( Fig. 4 ).

Specimens examined (selected): GHANA. Eastern region, Afram Mankrong F . R , 19.12.1957, C . D. Adams 4951( GC); Mt. Ejuanema , Kwahu, 2200 m, 25.12.1957, C . D. Adams 5145 ( GC); Northern region, Pong Tamale, Veterinary Dept. , 27.11.1935, G . K . Akpabla 378 ( GC); Yendi, 12.12.1951, Adams & Akpabla 4053 ( GC); Bole, 01.01.1958, T . M . Harris 955 ( GC) .

Conservation status: Not evaluated.

Uses: Seed oil from I. eriocarpa is used to treat skin diseases and dermal eruptions, arthritis and rheumatism ( Burkill, 1985). Used in soups or mixed with other foods, including other Ipomoea species ( Nigeria); in Tanzania and India, the leaves are boiled and eaten as vegetables; the seeds have unspecified medicinal use in Gambia; subsequently, the oil extract of the plant is used in India for external application in headache, rheumatism, leprosy, epilepsy, ulcers and fevers ( Prota, 2024).

Figures

Fig. 4. DiStribution reCordS of I. stenobasis Brenan,I. eriocarpa R.Br., I. blepharophyllaHallier andI. coscinospermaHoChSt.ex ChoiSYin Ghana.