T.E.R:R.A.I.N - Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network

Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica)

Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Solanales
Family: Convolvulaceae
Genus: Ipomoea
Species: I. indica
Binomial name: Ipomoea indica.  Derivation of botanical name : Ipomoea (Gr.) = worm-like; indica (Lat.) = of India or the Indies.
Common names: Blue morning glory,

Rampant, smothering, hairy perennial, climbing up to 12 m high. It December to February it has blue, large, open trumpet-shaped, up to 10 cm in diameter, in few-flowered axillary clusters. The new flowers opening daily and then fade to pink in late afternoon. It rarely fruits in New Zealand.
The leaves are deeply three-lobed, up to 18 cm long by 16 cm wide and are silky-hairy underneath. Ipomoea indica is a tender perennial vine native to the tropics and is a highly invasive weed of bush areas and wasteland and is no longer permitted to be sold, propagated, distributed.

Its Impact:: Blue morning glory is very fast-growing, producing dense smothering blankets of foliage that can reach into the canopy. It quickly becomes the dominant vine wherever it occurs. If seen contact your regional council to determine the status of this species and responsibility for control and/or advice on control.

New flower developing

 

 


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