Fiddle-leaf morning-glory (Ipomoea imperati, Cat. Pl. Cub.: 203 (1866))

Family: Convolvulaceae

Author: (Vahl) Griseb.

Bibliography: Cat. Pl. Cub.: 203 (1866)

Year: 1866

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ipomoea

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. coasts

Description

The Fiddle-leaf morning-glory, known scientifically as Ipomoea imperati, is a distinctive member of the Convolvulaceae family. This resilient plant is prominently found along tropical and subtropical coasts, adapting well to the challenging coastal environment.

Characterized by its uniquely shaped leaves reminiscent of a fiddle or violin, the Fiddle-leaf morning-glory thrives in sandy soils, often playing a significant role in stabilizing dunes and preventing erosion. Its robust nature allows it to withstand salty conditions, a common trait among coastal flora.

Ipomoea imperati bears beautiful, trumpet-shaped flowers that are typically white, occasionally tinged with light hues of lavender or pink. These flowers, along with its lush green foliage, make it an attractive addition to coastal landscapes. The blooms are not only visually appealing but also serve to attract pollinators, including bees and butterflies, thereby playing a part in the local ecosystem’s health.

First cataloged in the mid-19th century, the Fiddle-leaf morning-glory was described in the seminal work “Cat. Pl. Cub.,” published in 1866, with the taxonomic contribution accredited to the botanist Griseb. Its historical and botanical significance continues to be recognized in botanical references and plant collections.

In summary, Ipomoea imperati is much more than a mere coastal plant. Its ecological contributions, striking appearance, and resilience make it a subject of continued botanical interest and appreciation.

Common Names

Eng: beach morning-glory, fiddle-leaf morning-glory, white-flower beach, beach morning glory
Deu: küsten-prunkwinde
Por: campainha-branca, cipó-da-praia, couve-marinha, salsa-da-praia
En: Fiddle-leaf morning-glory, White-flower beach, Beach morning-glory, BEACH MORNINGGLORY, Beach morning glory, Intermediate Polypody
Ar: ست الحسن (سِت الحُسن), أثمان رملي
Zh: 假厚藤, 厚葉牽牛
De: Küsten-Prunkwinde
He: לפופית החוף
It: Campanella marina
Pt: Campainha-branca, Cipó-da-praia, Couve-marinha, Salsa-da-praia
Zh-tw: 厚葉牽牛
Zh-hant: 假厚藤

Synonyms

• Convolvulus sinuatus (Petagna)
• Convolvulus arenarius (Vahl)
• Convolvulus carnosus ((R.Br.) Spreng.)
• Ipomoea halophila (Miq.)
• Convolvulus littoralis (L.)
• Convolvulus radicans (Thunb.)
• Ipomoea incurva ((Schumach. & Thonn.) G.Don)
• Ipomoea deppeana (G.Don)
• Convolvulus imperati (Vahl)
• Convolvulus dianthus (J.F.Gmel.)
• Ipomoea carnosa (R.Br.)
• Ipomoea aurita ((Roem. & Schult.) G.Don)
• Ipomoea arenaria ((Vahl) Roem. & Schult.)
• Thyella obtusiloba ((Michx.) Raf.)
• Convolvulus stolonifer (Cirillo)
• Convolvulus obtusilobus (Michx.)
• Ipomoea acetosifolia var. longifolia (Glaz.)
• Batatas littoralis ((L.) Choisy)
• Ipomoea stolonifera (J.F.Gmel.)
• Batatas sinuatus ((Petagna) Guss.)
• Batatas incurva ((Schumach. & Thonn.) Benth.)
• Ipomoea acetosifolia ((Vahl) Roem. & Schult.)
• Latrienda imperati ((Vahl) Raf.)
• Batatas acetosifolia ((Vahl) Choisy)
• Convolvulus incurvus (Schumach. & Thonn.)
• Pharbitis preauxii (Webb & Berthel.)
• Convolvulus auritus (Roem. & Schult.)
• Ipomoea fauriei (H.Lév.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Andaman Is. (native)
• Angola (native)
• Azores (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Belize (native)
• Benin (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Congo (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Equatorial Guinea (native)
• Florida (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Galápagos (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Hainan (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Hawaii (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Italy (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Kazan-retto (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Libya (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Northern Territory (native)
• Ogasawara-shoto (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Sinai (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Texas (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Togo (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• North Carolina (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Aug 28, 2020 by Mehmet Basbag (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 13, 2021 by Colletta Gabriel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 13, 2021 by Colletta Gabriel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 13, 2021 by Colletta Gabriel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 13, 2021 by Colletta Gabriel (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.

Leaf

Taken Jul 28, 2019 by negative the (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2019 by negative the (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2013 by EOL − Mikael Behrens (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 17, 2019 by Ituarte Cristián (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 23, 2021 by Steve Smith (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 5, 2015 by EOL − Giovanni Marques de Castro (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 17, 2015 by EOL − Chuck Sexton (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 2, 2015 by EOL − anewman (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 17, 2019 by Ituarte Cristián (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2003 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 25, 2018 by Mehmet Basbag (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2018 by Mehmet Basbag (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2928596)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60442184-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ipomoea imperati (Vahl) Griseb.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Vine, Forb/herb

Growth