Ipomoea
Largest genus in Convolvulaceae, with diverse species and uses.
Ipomoea is the largest genus within the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae, containing more than 600 species. Found across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, the group is highly varied: it includes annuals and perennials, herbaceous plants, lianas, shrubs, and small trees, with most species being twining climbers. Their stems are typically twining or trailing, and their leaves are usually simple, though occasionally compound.
Flowers grow in axillary clusters or singly, with few to many blooms. These pentamerous flowers range from small to large and come in shades of blue, red, pink, purple, white, orange, or yellow. The genus was named by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, with *Ipomoea pes-tigridis* as its type species. Within Convolvulaceae, it belongs to the tribe Ipomoeeae, and 642 species are currently accepted.
Common names vary widely. The most widespread is morning glory, though some species in related genera share that name, and certain *Ipomoea* species go by other names. Those formerly placed in the genus *Calonyction*—from Greek words for "good" and "night"—are called moonflowers. The genus name itself comes from Ancient Greek words for "woodworm" and "resembling," a reference to their twining habit.
Pollination among *Ipomoea* species is competitive: pollen from different species interferes with each other's reproduction, imposing a fitness cost.
Humans use several species for medicinal and psychoactive compounds, mainly alkaloids. *Ipomoea sepiaria* is one of the ten sacred flowers (Dashapushpam) in Kerala, known as "Thiruthali" in Malayalam. The sap of moon vine (*I. alba*) was historically used to process latex from the Panama rubber tree (*Castilla elastica*) into rubber through an ancient chemical method; the two plants often grow together, and as early as around 1400–1200 BCE, the Olmecs used such rubber to make balls for the Mesoamerican ballgame. (Note: This ancient process is distinct from 19th-century vulcanization, which requires sulfur and heat.)
In folk medicine, Vera Cruz jalap (*I. jalapa*) and Tampico jalap (*I. simulans*) yield jalap, a cathartic that speeds stool passage. Giant potato (*I. mauritiana*, known as kiribadu ala) is an ingredient in chyawanprash, an ancient Ayurvedic tonic called "the elixir of life." Leaves of sweet potato (*I. batatas*) are eaten as a vegetable and have been shown to slow LDL oxidation, with
- genus
- Ipomoea
- family
- Convolvulaceae
- number_of_species
- over 600 (642 accepted)
- type_species
- Ipomoea pes-tigridis
- common_names
- morning glory, water convolvulus, water spinach, sweet potato, bindweed, moonflower
- distribution
- tropical and subtropical regions worldwide
- described_by
- Carl Linnaeus in 1753
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Ipomoea
- Subdivision
- More than 600, see list
- Type Species
- Ipomoea pes-tigridis L.
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Ipomoea was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 and has 642 accepted species. The type species is Ipomoea pes-tigridis. Within the family Convolvulaceae, it is placed in the tribe Ipomoeeae. The name Ipomoea is derived from Ancient Greek ἴψ, meaning 'woodworm', and ὅμοιος, meaning 'resembling', referring to their twining habit. Their most widespread common name is morning glory, though some species in related genera share that name, and some Ipomoea species have different common names. Those formerly separated in Calonyction are called moonflowers.
Reader's Guide
Ipomoea species have significant ecological, medicinal, and cultural importance. They interfere with each other's pollination, with pollen from different species competing in reproductive processes. Humans use Ipomoea spp. for their content of medical and psychoactive compounds, mainly alkaloids. Some species are renowned in folk medicine and herbalism; for example, Vera Cruz jalap and Tampico jalap are used to produce jalap, a cathartic preparation. Kiribadu ala is one of many ingredients of chyawanprash, an ancient Ayurvedic tonic. The leaves of I. batatas are eaten as a vegetable and have been shown to slow oxygenation of LDLs. Other species were and still are used as potentially potent entheogens. Seeds of Mexican morning glory were used by Aztecs and Zapotecs in shamanistic and priestly divination rituals. Ergoline alkaloids occur in several Ipomoea species whose seeds host heritable Periglandula fungi. Albert Hofmann and colleagues first isolated lysergamides from I. corymbosa and I. violacea seeds. The subjective effects of morning glory seeds vary with species, alkaloid profile, preparation and dose. The lysergamides are also of medical importance.
Did You Know?
- Ipomoea is the largest genus in the plant family Convolvulaceae, with over 600 species.
- The name Ipomoea is derived from Ancient Greek words meaning 'woodworm' and 'resembling', referring to their twining habit.
- Moon vine (I. alba) sap was used for vulcanization of the latex of Castilla elastica to rubber as early as 1600 BCE by the Olmecs.
- Seeds of Mexican morning glory (I. tricolor) were used by Aztecs and Zapotecs in shamanistic and priestly divination rituals.
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