419. Ipomoea involucrata P. Beauv., Fl. Owar 2: 52. 1817. (Beauvois 1817: 52)

Convolvulus perfoliatus Schumach. & Thonn., Beskr. Guin. Pl. 89. 1827. (Schumacher and Thonning 1827: pl. 89). Type. GHANA. Thonning s.n. (syntypes C).

Ipomoea operosa C.H. Wright, Bull. Misc. Inf., Kew 1897: 275 . 1897. (Wright 1897: 275). Type. MALAWI. Zomba, Whyte (syntype K000097217) and Kirk s.n. (syntype K000097216).

Ipomoea involucrata var. operosa Verdc., Kew Bull. 13: 206.1958. (Verdcourt 1958: 206).

Ipomoea involucrata var. burtii Verdc., Kew Bull. 13: 206.1958. (Verdcourt 1958: 206).Type. TANZANIA. Kondo anear Sambala, B.D. Burtt 2155 (holotype K000097096, isotype EA).

Ipomoea austinii Infante-Betancour, Caldasia 36 (2): 248. 2014. (Infante-Betancour 2014: 248). Type. COLOMBIA. Cesar, San Alberto, M. Carillo-F 557 (holotype COL).

Type.

NIGERIA, Oware, P. de Beauvois (holotype G00023040).

Description.

Variable trailing or twining annual or short-lived perennial herb; stems rather slender, pubescent to asperous-pilose in all parts. Leaves petiolate, 2.5-6(-10) × 1.5-5(-8.5) cm, ovate, acute or obtuse and mucronate, cordate with rounded auricles, both surfaces pubescent to tomentose, abaxially paler; petioles 2-7 cm, pubescent. Inflorescence of axillary pedunculate, involucrate heads; peduncles 2.5-10 cm, densely pubescent to tomentose; outer bracteoles united at base to form a boat-shaped involucre around the flowers, sessile, 2.5-6.5 × 0.8-1.5 cm, each ovate, acuminate, folded, pubescent; inner bracteoles much smaller, obovate to linear-oblong; pedicels very short; flowers few to many; sepals unequal, 6-15 × 1.5-4 mm, acute to acuminate, pubescent to setose, outer lanceolate, inner 2-3 mm shorter, ovate; corolla 3.5-4.5 cm long, funnel-shaped, pink, less commonly white, pubescent; limb 3-4 cm diam., entire. Capsules 6 mm, globose, glabrous; seeds glabrous or shortly pubescent, c. 4 mm long.

Illustration.

Infante-Betancour (2014: 249) as Ipomoea austinii .

Distribution.

Common in West and Central Africa but a recent introduction in the neotropics in a Colombian oil palm plantation.

COLOMBIA. Cesar: type of Ipomoea austinii .

Note.

Probably an adventive in the New World but may become established.

We have not seen M. Carillo-F 557 but the shape and measurements of the sepals accompanying the protologue of Ipomoea austinii (Infante-Betancour 2014) clearly indicate that it is I. involucrata, rather than the very similar I. pileata Roxb. The drawing of the inflorescence, however, is very stylised and difficult to interpret.

••• The following four species are unplaced within Ipomoea . We are unable to make even a guess at their likely placement.