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Ipomoea grandifolia

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Ipomoea grandifolia (Dammer) O'Donell

Family Name: Convolvulaceae
Synonyms: Convolvulus trilobus, Ipomoea blancoi, Batatas triloba, Ipomoea triloba L.
Common Name: Little Bell, Pink Convolvulus, Three-lobed Morning Glory, Aiea Morning Glory, 三裂叶薯

Name

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Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
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Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Climber, Creeper
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Irregular
Maximum Height 1 m to 3 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Tropical America
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Grassland / Savannah/ Scrubland, Disturbed Area / Open Ground)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Twining, herbaceous, mat-forming climber, up to 3 m high, with an annual life cycle.
Foliage Leaves are tri-lobed with entire leaf margin (up to 6 cm wide).
Flowers Trumpet-shaped flowers are pink or white with a red center (2 cm wide). Flowers are composed of 5 lobes that are fused together with each lobe having a sharply pointed tip in the middle of the lobe edge.
Fruit Fruits are small 4-valved explosive capsules, maturing to dark brown. Small, orangish brown seeds are approximately ellipsoid with one side slightly flattened. A ridge runs along the length of the seed, and 2 small, wing-like flaps slightly cover one end of the seed. Seeds are highly poisonous.
Habitat Found in waste lands and reclaimed areas of Singapore.
Ethnobotanical Uses Food (Herb or Spice)
Medicinal: Leaves used in Nigeria to treat rheumatism and boils. Leaves used as poultice for headaches in Malaya.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses Coastal, Vertical Greenery / Green Wall
Thematic Landscaping Naturalistic Garden
SGMP Treatment

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Butterfly Host Plant
Seed or Spore Dispersal Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Rootzone Tolerance Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Saline Soils / Salt Spray
Propagation Method Seed, Stem Cutting

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Scaly
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Palmately Lobed
Foliar Apex - Tip Obtuse
Foliar Base Cordate
Typical Foliar Area Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 )

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification Herbaceous
Root Type Underground (Fibrous Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Pink, Purple
Flower Symmetry Radial
Individual Flower Shape Trumpet-shaped
Ovary Position Superior / Hypogynous
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Brown
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 12973
Species ID 3322
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 19 April 2022.
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