Little-bell (Ipomoea triloba, Sp. Pl.: 161 (1753))

Family: Convolvulaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 161 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ipomoea

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to Brazil, Caribbean

Description

The Little-bell, scientifically known as Ipomoea triloba, is a charming and vibrant plant originating from the expansive regions spanning from Mexico to Brazil, including the Caribbean. First described in the seminal work ‘Species Plantarum’ in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, this plant belongs to the diverse Convolvulaceae family.

Characterized by its delicate and inflorescent blooms, the Little-bell is a true testament to nature’s ability to create beauty in simplicity. The flowers, which resemble small bells, give it its common name and are often found adorning gardens, meadows, and wild landscapes across its native territory.

The plant’s creeping vines, adorned with heart-shaped leaves, create a lush green tapestry that can cover the ground or climb nearby structures. Its flowers, typically pink, purple, or white, add a decorative flair that makes it a favorite among gardeners and floral enthusiasts. Ipomoea triloba flowers in abundance, producing a profusion of blooms that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which are crucial for maintaining the plant’s role in its ecosystem.

Little-bell’s adaptability to a variety of climates and soils makes it a resilient addition to many environments. It thrives in well-drained soils and sunny locations but can also tolerate partial shade. However, its vigorous growth habit requires regular maintenance to prevent it from becoming invasive in more temperate regions.

Throughout its native range from Mexico to Brazil and the Caribbean, Ipomoea triloba holds cultural significance, often being used in traditional medicine and various local rituals. Its ability to grow in diverse conditions also contributes to soil stabilization and erosion control in certain areas, showcasing its ecological importance.

Thus, the Little-bell represents not only an aesthetically pleasing plant but also a resilient and ecologically significant member of the Convolvulaceae family. Whether admired for its beauty in a garden setting or appreciated for its ecological contributions in the wild, Ipomoea triloba continues to enchant and serve various roles across its native habitats.

Common Names

Heb: lefufit meshuleshet, לפופית משלשת
Eng: littlebell, little-bell, three-lobed morning-glory
Por: campainha, corda-de-viola, corriola, jetirana
Spa: campanilla
En: Little-bell, Littlebell, Three-lobed morning-glory, Campanilla morada, Beech Fern, Krug’s white morning-glory, Krug’s white morningglory, Little bell, Three-lobed morning glory, Trilobed morning glory, Three-lobe morning glory
He: Lefufit meshuleshet, לפופית משלשת, לפופית משולשת
Pt: Campainha, Corda-de-viola, Corriola, Jetirana
Es: Campanilla, Bejuquillo de puerco

Synonyms

• Ipomoea krugii (Urb.)
• Quamoclit eustachiana ((Jacq.) G.Don)
• Convolvulus sloanei (Spreng.)
• Convolvulus subquinquelobus (Wood)
• Ipomoea triloba var. eustachiana ((Jacq.) Griseb.)
• Ipomoea galapagensis (Andersson)
• Ipomoea mariannensis (Choisy)
• Ipomoea hirta (M.Martens & Galeotti)
• Ipomoea laxiflora (H.J.Chowdhery & Debta)
• Convolvulus mariannensis ((Choisy) Gaudich. ex Saff.)
• Ipomoea triloba var. quinqueloba (Kuntze)
• Ipomoea eustachiana (Jacq.)
• Ipomoea triloba var. genuina (Meisn.)
• Ipomoea webbii (Cout.)
• Quamoclit triloba ((L.) G.Don)
• Amphione lobata (Raf.)
• Convolvulus ipomoea (Vell.)
• Ipomoea triloba var. glaberrima (Meisn.)
• Convolvulus heterophyllus (Sessé & Moc.)

Distribution

• Aruba (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Galápagos (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Borneo (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Verde (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Christmas I. (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Egypt (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Guinea (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Ivory Coast (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kazan-retto (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Maluku (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Marshall Is. (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Nansei-shoto (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Senegal (introduced)
• Sierra Leone (introduced)
• Solomon Is. (introduced)
• South China Sea (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sulawesi (introduced)
• Sumatera (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Nov 30, 2020 by Dildar Khan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2021 by N Y (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 27, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2019 by Dr Ashwathanarayana Rao (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2020 by shivam Lovewanshi (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 24, 2022 by Chris Griggs (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2022 by d z (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2020 by carmelo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 8, 2020 by Trindade Ester (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2021 by N Y (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Mar 11, 2022 by Ricardo Matheus Pires Ricardo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − W. L. Wagner (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2022 by Chris Griggs (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2021 by Eli Small (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2022 by raghav goswami (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 28, 2019 by Quyền Nguyễn Hùng (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 31, 2020 by Michael B. (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)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:129763-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2928547)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ipomoea triloba L.)

Specifications

Growth