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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
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
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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 |
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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. |
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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 |
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Landscape Uses | Coastal, Vertical Greenery / Green Wall |
Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly Host Plant |
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Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Full Sun |
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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 |
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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 |
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Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
Flower Colour(s) | Pink, Purple |
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Flower Symmetry | Radial |
Individual Flower Shape | Trumpet-shaped |
Ovary Position | Superior / Hypogynous |
Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
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Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 12973 |
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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. |