Family: Convolvulaceae
Author: (Desr.) Roem. & Schult.
Bibliography: Syst. Veg., ed. 15 bis 4: 251 (1819)
Year: 1819
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Ipomoea
Vegetable: False
Observations: Tropics
Description
Ginger-leaf morning-glory, known scientifically as Ipomoea asarifolia, is a fascinating plant native to the tropical regions. This species belongs to the Convolvulaceae family, a group of flowering plants commonly referred to as the morning glory family. First described in the early 19th century by Desrousseaux and later classified by Roemer & Schultes in the significant botanical work “Systema Vegetabilium,” this plant holds a prominent place in botanical literature dating back to 1819.
Ipomoea asarifolia is distinguished by its unique ginger-like foliage, lending to its common name. The leaves are often heart-shaped, lush, and vibrant, making it an attractive plant for gardeners and botanists alike. This perennial vine is known for its hardy and versatile nature, thriving predominantly in tropical climates where the conditions are most favorable for its growth.
The flowers of the ginger-leaf morning-glory are typical of the Ipomoea genus, showcasing the beautiful and characteristic trumpet shape. These blossoms can vary in color, often featuring shades of purple, pink, or white, adding to the visual appeal of this plant in natural habitats and cultivated gardens.
In terms of its ecological requirements, Ipomoea asarifolia is well adapted to the tropics, thriving in environments where warmth and humidity are abundant. This adaptability makes the plant a vital component of its native ecosystems, often contributing to the area’s biodiversity.
The study and appreciation of Ipomoea asarifolia continue to grow, with ongoing research and cultivation helping us understand better and preserve this remarkable plant. Whether observed in the wild or cultivated in gardens, the ginger-leaf morning-glory remains a captivating example of tropical flora.
Common Names
Eng: ginger-leaf morning-glory
Por: batata-brava, batatarana, batatão, salsa, salsa-brava
En: Ginger-leaf morning-glory
Pt: Salsa-brava, Batata-brava, Batatarana, Batatão, Salsa
Th: ผักบุ้งขัน
Synonyms
- Ipomoea grisebachii (Prain)
- Ipomoea rugosa ((Rottler) Choisy)
- Convolvulus flagelliformis (Roxb.)
- Ipomoea urbica (Choisy)
- Ipomoea flagelliformis ((Roxb.) Steud.)
- Ipomoea vogelii (Baker)
- Ipomoea repens (Lam.)
- Ipomoea crassifolia (Cav.)
- Convolvulus rugosus (Rottler)
- Ipomoea yetira (D.Parodi)
- Ipomoea urbica var. muricata (Choisy)
- Ipomoea beladamboe (Roem. & Schult.)
- Convolvulus urbicus (Salzm. ex Choisy)
- Ipomoea asarifolia f. suffrutescens (Roberty)
- Ipomoea asarifolia f. deltoidea (Roberty)
- Ipomoea pes-caprae var. heterosepala (Chodat & Hassl.)
- Amphione asarifolia ((Desr.) Raf.)
- Convolvulus beladambu ((Schult.) Spreng.)
- Ipomoea latifolia (M.Martens & Galeotti)
Distribution
- Angola (native)
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- Cambodia (native)
- Cameroon (native)
- Cape Verde (native)
- Chad (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- French Guiana (native)
- Gabon (native)
- Gambia (native)
- Ghana (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Guinea (native)
- Honduras (native)
- India (native)
- Ivory Coast (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Laos (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Mali (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Niger (native)
- Nigeria (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Peru (native)
- Senegal (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Windward Is. (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Colorado (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Panamá (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Nov 17, 2022 by Jean Paul Zemb (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 17, 2022 by Lira Ruan (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 7, 2021 by GilmaraFrança (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 7, 2020 by Rangoon Creeper (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 2, 2022 by Marrelie Page (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jan 18, 2020 by Daniel Grixti-Cheng (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 6, 2020 by Marc Ondo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 29, 2022 by Dennis Genesse (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 11, 2021 by YANNE DJOURKIDANG (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 9, 2022 by Abdou Karim Diouf (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jan 8, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 10, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 2, 2020 by abdoulaye sawadogo (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jan 29, 2009 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Feb 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Dec 3, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 14, 2007 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jan 9, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (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/2928595)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:268434-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ipomoea asarifolia (Desr.) Roem. & Schult.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb