Family: Convolvulaceae
Author: (L.) L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl. ed. 2: 392 (1762)
Year: 1762
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Evolvulus
Vegetable: False
Observations: Tropics & Subtropics
Description
The Dwarf-morning-glory, scientifically known as Evolvulus alsinoides, is a fascinating plant that belongs to the Convolvulaceae family. This compact plant is often admired for its delicate beauty and ease of growth, making it a common choice for gardeners and plant enthusiasts alike.
First documented in the seminal botanical reference Species Plantarum in its second edition in 1762, Evolvulus alsinoides has since been recognized for its resilience and versatility. The plant thrives in a wide range of climatic conditions, predominantly flourishing in the tropics and subtropics where it is a familiar sight.
Dwarf-morning-glory is renowned for its adaptive nature, enabling it to grow in various soil types, though it typically prefers well-drained soil with moderate moisture. It exhibits a prostrate habit, meaning it spreads out along the ground, which makes it an excellent ground cover option. The plant is characterized by its small, ovate leaves and slender stems, providing a soft, green blanket over the areas it colonizes.
The true charm of Evolvulus alsinoides lies in its flowers. Despite being diminutive in size, these flowers command attention with their vibrant hues, ranging from deep blues to striking purples. The blooms open with the morning sunlight and often close by the afternoon, a behavior that adds dynamic visual interest to gardens and landscapes.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Evolvulus alsinoides has also been used in traditional medicine across various cultures, reputed for its potential benefits in treating mental fatigue and improving cognitive function. However, any medicinal applications should be approached with caution and under professional guidance.
In summary, the Dwarf-morning-glory is a small yet captivating plant that brings color and life to the areas it inhabits. Its ease of cultivation, combined with its beautiful flowers and low-growing habit, makes it a valuable addition to gardens, particularly in warmer climates. Its historical significance and traditional uses further enhance the intrigue surrounding this versatile plant.
Common Names
Eng: slender dwarf morning-glory, dwarf-morning-glory, slender dwarf morningglory, tropical-speedwell
En: Dwarf-morning-glory, Tropical-speedwell, Slender dwarf morning-glory, Slender dwarf morningglory, Little Glory, Skyblue dwarf morningglory, Slender dwarf-morning-glory
Ar: حشنيت الجبل, حليت, عيفال
Fr: Évolvulus fausse-stellaire, Lin
Synonyms
- Evolvulus modestus (Hance)
- Evolvulus alsinoides f. albiflorus (Kuntze)
- Evolvulus microphyllus (M.Martens & Galeotti)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. erectus (Schweinf.)
- Convolvulus fugacissimus (Hochst. ex Choisy)
- Evolvulus yemensis (Deflers)
- Evolvulus natalensis (Sond.)
- Evolvulus ramiflorus (Bojer ex Choisy)
- Convolvulus alsinoides (L.)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. normalis (Kuntze)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. linifolius ((L.) Kuntze)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. hirticaulis (Torr.)
- Evolvulus alsinoides f. lactiflorus (Kuntze)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. wallichii (Ooststr.)
- Evolvulus angustifolius (Roxb.)
- Evolvulus alsinoides f. coeruleus (Kuntze)
- Evolvulus hirsutulus (Choisy)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. choisyanus (Meisn.)
- Breweria alsinoides ((L.) Merr.)
- Evolvulus decumbens (R.Br.)
- Evolvulus javanicus (Blume)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. villosissimus (Fenzl ex Hallier f.)
- Evolvulus fugacissimus (Hochst. ex A.Rich.)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. glaber (Baker)
- Evolvulus pudicus (Hance)
- Evolvulus pumilus (Span.)
- Evolvulus procumbens (Montrouz.)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. typicus (Domin)
- Evolvulus alsinoides f. rotundifolius (Yamam.)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. angustifolius (Torr.)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. acapulcensis ((Willd. ex Schult.) Ooststr.)
- Evolvulus acapulcensis (Willd. ex Schult.)
- Evolvulus linifolius var. grandiflorus (Bolle)
- Evolvulus heterophyllus (Labill.)
- Evolvulus hirsutus (Lam.)
- Evolvulus pilosissimus (M.Martens & Galeotti)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. decumbens ((R.Br.) Ooststr.)
- Evolvulus ramulosus (M.E.Jones)
- Evolvulus chinensis (Choisy)
- Evolvulus azureus (Vahl ex Schumach. & Thonn.)
- Evolvulus sinicus (Miq.)
- Evolvulus albiflorus (M.Martens & Galeotti)
- Evolvulus diffusus (Chapm.)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. linnaeanus (Meisn.)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. rotundifolius (Hayata ex Ooststr.)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. incanus (Kuntze)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. javanicus ((Blume) Ooststr.)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. grisebachianus (Meisn.)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. debilis ((Kunth) Ooststr.)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. villosicalyx (Ooststr.)
- Evolvulus lanceifolius (Span.)
- Evolvulus debilis (Kunth)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. procumbens (Schweinf.)
- Evolvulus filiformis (Willd. ex Steud.)
- Evolvulus boninensis (F.Maek. & Tuyama)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. philippinensis (Ooststr.)
- Evolvulus alsinoides f. viridis (Kuntze)
- Evolvulus villosus (R.Br.)
- Evolvulus pseudoincanus (Span.)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. adscendens ((House) Ooststr.)
- Evolvulus gracillimus (Miq.)
- Evolvulus tenuis subsp. yucatanensis (Ooststr.)
- Evolvulus adscendens (House)
- Convolvulus valerianoides (Blanco)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. hirsutus ((Lam.) Ooststr.)
- Evolvulus alsinoides var. thymoides (Hallier f.)
- Evolvulus linifolius ((L.) L.)
Distribution
- Afghanistan (native)
- Alabama (native)
- Aldabra (native)
- Angola (native)
- Arizona (native)
- Assam (native)
- Bahamas (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Belize (native)
- Benin (native)
- Bismarck Archipelago (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Botswana (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- Burundi (native)
- Cambodia (native)
- Cameroon (native)
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Cape Verde (native)
- Central African Repu (native)
- Chad (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Comoros (native)
- Congo (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- Eritrea (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Florida (native)
- Free State (native)
- French Guiana (native)
- Gambia (native)
- Ghana (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Guinea (native)
- Guinea-Bissau (native)
- Guyana (native)
- Hainan (native)
- Haiti (native)
- India (native)
- Iran (native)
- Ivory Coast (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Kenya (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Laos (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Liberia (native)
- Madagascar (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Malaya (native)
- Maldives (native)
- Mali (native)
- Maluku (native)
- Marianas (native)
- Mauritania (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Namibia (native)
- Nansei-shoto (native)
- Nepal (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- New South Wales (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Nicobar Is. (native)
- Niger (native)
- Nigeria (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Northern Territory (native)
- Ogasawara-shoto (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Peru (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Qinghai (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Rwanda (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Senegal (native)
- Socotra (native)
- Somalia (native)
- South Australia (native)
- South China Sea (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Sulawesi (native)
- Sumatera (native)
- Suriname (native)
- Swaziland (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Texas (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Tibet (native)
- Togo (native)
- Trinidad-Tobago (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- Western Australia (native)
- Windward Is. (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
- Fiji (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- New Caledonia (introduced)
- Réunion (introduced)
- Vanuatu (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Mar 31, 2021 by Arias julio (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 31, 2021 by Martínez Gabriela (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 5, 2019 by Herrera Alfredo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 18, 2021 by Rabarisoa Rivo (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 5, 2020 by Sam Bates (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Feb 28, 2021 by Dias Conceição Nathan (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 28, 2021 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 19, 2022 by ian connop (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 17, 2021 by MARA RUBIA CAGLIONI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 13, 2022 by Teixeira Wenceslau (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Sep 12, 2021 by Hernandez (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 13, 2022 by Teixeira Wenceslau (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 23, 2021 by Norma Villalta (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 13, 2022 by Teixeira Wenceslau (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 18, 2019 by Nor Azian Abdul Aziz (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Sep 23, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken Feb 16, 2020 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 16, 2020 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 9, 2021 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 25, 2019 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 20, 2020 by Doris Erlenbach (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 20, 2019 by Luis Oscar Herrera Valdez (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Sato Marilia (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 30, 2022 by Pirita Fes (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2928673)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:267957-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
