Ipomoea purpurea
Bot. Abh. Beobacht., 27. 1787.
Annuals. Stems twining. Leaf blades cordate, ovate, or 3(–5)-lobed, not palmatisect, 10–110(–180) × 10–120(–160) mm, base cordate, surfaces ± hairy, hairs ± antrorse. Peduncles hairy, hairs retrorse. Flowers: sepals elliptic, lance-oblong, or oblong, 8–15 × (1.5–)2.5–4.5 mm, herbaceous, base ± hairy, hairs dark at base, narrowed distal portion shorter to slightly longer than dilated base, apex acute to abruptly acuminate; corolla blue (purple, red, or white in cultivars), tube white inside, funnelform, (25–)40–60 mm, limb 24–48(–70) mm diam. 2n = 30.
Phenology: Flowering Jul–Nov.
Habitat: Abandoned plantings, canyons, disturbed sites, fields, stream banks.
Elevation: 100–2300 m.
Distribution
Introduced; Ont., Que., Ala., Ariz., Ark., Calif., Colo., Conn., Del., D.C., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., Mont., Nebr., Nev., N.H., N.J., N.Mex., N.Y., N.C., N.Dak., Ohio, Okla., Oreg., Pa., R.I., S.C., S.Dak., Tenn., Tex., Utah, Vt., Va., Wash., W.Va., Mexico, introduced also in West Indies, Central America, South America, Eurasia, Africa, Australia.
Discussion
In the flora area, Ipomoea purpurea may be native in southeastern United States and introduced elsewhere. Populations in California, Oregon, and Washington may not be truly naturalized.
Selected References
None.