Ipomoea amnicola Morong

Wood, J.R.I., Carine, M.A., Harris, D. et al. 2015. Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) in Bolivia. Kew Bulletin 70: 31. DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-015-9592-7

Type

Type: Paraguay, banks of the Pilcomayo, T. Morong 974 (holotype NY!, isotype R!).

Morphology General Habit

Somewhat succulent twining perennial, completely glabrous in all parts

Morphology Leaves

Leaves petiolate, 2 – 8 (– 12) × 2 – 8 (– 10) cm, ovate, sometimes broadly so, distinctly narrowed to an acuminate apex, base cordate with rounded auricles, abaxially slightly glaucous, petioles 1 – 10 cm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence of rather dense, many-flowered, pedunculate simple or compound cymes; peduncles 1 – 5 cm; bracteoles 1 – 2 mm, ovate, caducous; secondary peduncles 5 – 15 mm; pedicels 0.8 – 2 cm; sepals slightly unequal, coriaceous, glabrous, outer 4 – 5 mm long, elliptic, concave, obtuse and shortly mucronate, inner 5 – 5.5 mm long, obovate, rounded, with broad scarious margins; corolla 2 – 3 cm, pale lilac with dark centre, glabrous, funnel-shaped, the limb 2.5 – 3 cm diam., unlobed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule ovoid, 9 – 12 × 6 mm, glabrous, seeds reddish brown, tomentose

Ecology

A species with an amphitropical distribution being found in the southern United States and from Colombia south to Argentina in South America. In Bolivia it is most common in the Chaco and, when found elsewhere, is an indicator of chaco-like conditions in the dry inter-Andean valleys both in the Río Grande catchment area and in the Yungas of La Paz. It is a plant of scrub sometimes festooning bushes preferring areas which may be seasonally wet but dry most of the year.

Conservation

Least concern.

Note

In the field Ipomoea amnicola is usually easily recognised by the relatively small corolla which is pale pink with a dark pink centre. The leaves are quite glabrous, usually somewhat glaucous and slightly fleshy. It is not a very easy plant to dry successfully so leaves are often deciduous on herbarium specimens. Usually flowering at the end of the summer rains and the beginning of the winter dry season from March to July.