Ipomoea cynanchifolia

Ipomoea cynanchifolia Meisn.

Ipomoea cynanchifolia is a slender, twining annual herb native to several regions in Brazil and parts of South America. It belongs to the Convolvulaceae family, commonly known as the morning glory family. This species is characterized by its nearly glabrous (hairless) structure, funnel-shaped pink flowers with a dark center, and ovate or shallowly lobed leaves. It was first described in 1869 by Meisn.

Description

Ipomoea cynanchifolia is an annual herb that exhibits a twining growth habit. The plant is mostly hairless across all parts. Its leaves are petiolate, measuring 3 to 5.5 cm in length and 2 to 4.5 cm in width. They are ovate or shallowly three-lobed, with a cordate base and rounded to obtuse auricles. The apex of the leaves is shortly acuminate and mucronate. The upper surface is either thinly pubescent or glabrous, and the petioles range from 1.5 to 5 cm in length. The inflorescence is an axillary umbelliform cyme with 2 to 5 flowers, borne on peduncles 2 to 10 cm long. The bracteoles are small, triangular, and caducous. Pedicels are 5 to 15 mm long. The sepals are subequal, oblong-obovate, with broad, scarious margins, rounded and mucronate. The outer sepals measure 3.5 to 6 mm, while the inner sepals are about 1 mm longer. The corolla is 1.5 to 2.5 cm long, funnel-shaped, pink with a dark center, and glabrous. The limb is 1.5 to 1.75 cm in diameter, unlobed, and sometimes dentate. The fruit is a capsule, 3 to 4 mm long and 4 mm wide, ovoid, exceeding the sepals, and either glabrous or thinly pilose. The slender style is somewhat persistent. The seeds are ellipsoid, 3 to 3.5 mm long and 2.5 mm wide, dark brown, and glabrous.

Habitat

Ipomoea cynanchifolia is native to various regions in Brazil, including the Northeast, Southeast, South, and West-Central areas, as well as parts of Bolivia. It is likely found in disturbed habitats or open areas where it can twine and climb on nearby vegetation for support.

Cultivation

This species is not widely cultivated for ornamental or agricultural purposes. It thrives in warm, tropical climates and prefers well-drained soils. It is likely to be propagated by seed, as it is an annual herb. Due to its delicate and slender nature, it may require support structures for optimal growth.

Uses

Ipomoea cynanchifolia is not known for any specific economic or traditional uses. Its primary value lies in its ornamental potential due to its attractive pink flowers. It may be of interest to botanists and horticulturists for its unique characteristics and ecological role in its native habitats.