Family: Convolvulaceae
Author: Jacq.
Bibliography: Collectanea 4: 216 (1791)
Year: 1791
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Ipomoea
Vegetable: False
Observations: Trop. America, Africa
Description
The Mauritanian convolvulus, scientifically known as Ipomoea mauritiana, is a perennial plant that captures the essence of tropical regions in America and Africa. First chronicled in 1791 by Jacq. in the publication Collectanea, this member of the Convolvulaceae family is renowned for its vibrant presence in these lush, warm climates.
Exhibiting characteristic twining and climbing growth habits common to the Convolvulaceae family, Ipomoea mauritiana can often be seen adorning trees and shrubs with its elegantly coiled tendrils. This vivid vine boasts heart-shaped leaves and striking, funnel-shaped flowers that range in color from soft pinks to bright purples, often creating a stunning contrast against the green foliage of its natural surroundings.
The Mauritanian convolvulus plays an important role in its native ecosystems. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which are drawn to its nectar-rich blooms. This interaction highlights the plant’s significance in maintaining the health and diversity of tropical environments.
Beyond its ecological contributions, Ipomoea mauritiana has also been recognized for its potential medicinal properties. In some cultures within its native range, various parts of the plant have been used in traditional medicine to treat ailments ranging from gastrointestinal issues to skin conditions. However, these uses are anecdotal, and more scientific research is needed to fully understand the medicinal potentials and safety of the plant.
Overall, the Mauritanian convolvulus stands as a remarkable example of nature’s beauty and resilience, thriving across vast tropical landscapes and contributing to both ecological balance and cultural practices. Its intricate blooms and dynamic growth serve as a reminder of the intricate connections between plants and the environments they inhabit.
Common Names
Deu: haiti-prunkwinde
Eng: mauritanian convolvulus
En: Mauritanian convolvulus, Natal cotton plant, Giant potato, Large forest ipomoea
Zh: Qi zhao long
Fr: Ipomée de Maurice
De: Haiti-Prunkwinde
Ja: Yatsude-asagao
Synonyms
- Convolvulus roseus (Kunth)
- Ipomoea eriosperma (P.Beauv.)
- Ipomoea paniculata ((L.) R.Br.)
- Ipomoea camerunensis (Taub.)
- Ipomoea pavonii (Choisy)
- Ipomoea gossypiifolia (Willd.)
- Convolvulus bignonioides ((Sims) Spreng.)
- Ipomoea paniculata var. mauritiana ((Jacq.) Kuntze)
- Ipomoea digitata var. eriosperma ((P.Beauv.) Rendle)
- Ipomoea loureiroi (J.Presl)
- Batatas bignonioides ((Sims) G.Don)
- Ipomoea paniculata var. pauciflora (E.Mey. ex Hallier f.)
- Batatas paniculata ((L.) Choisy)
- Ipomoea digitata var. septemfida (Meisn.)
- Ipomoea insignis (Andrews)
- Ipomoea digitata (Anon.)
- Ipomoea paniculata var. heterophylla (Kuntze)
- Modesta paniculata ((L.) Raf.)
- Ipomoea digitata var. quinquefida (Meisn.)
- Modesta insignis ((Andrews) Raf.)
- Ipomoea bignonioides (Sims)
- Ipomoea supersticiosa (Barb.Rodr.)
- Ipomoea pentaloba (Roem. & Schult.)
- Ipomoea paniculata var. eriosperma ((P.Beauv.) Kuntze)
- Convolvulus insignis ((Andrews) Spreng.)
- Apopleumon bignonioides ((Sims) Raf.)
- Batatas edulis var. platanifolia (Choisy)
- Batatas loureiroi (G.Don)
- Batatas insignis ((Andrews) G.Don)
- Ipomoea insignis var. pubescens (Regel)
- Ipomoea baalan (Montrouz.)
- Ipomoea ennealoba (P.Beauv.)
- Ipomoea paniculata var. indivisa (Hallier f.)
- Ipomoea salaziana (Cordem.)
- Ipomoea quinqueloba (Roem. & Schult.)
Distribution
- Angola (native)
- Belize (native)
- Benin (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- Burundi (native)
- Cameroon (native)
- Cape Verde (native)
- Central African Repu (native)
- Chad (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Comoros (native)
- Congo (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- Equatorial Guinea (native)
- French Guiana (native)
- Gabon (native)
- Gambia (native)
- Ghana (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Guinea (native)
- Guinea-Bissau (native)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
- Guyana (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Ivory Coast (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Kenya (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Liberia (native)
- Madagascar (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Mauritius (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Nigeria (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Peru (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Rodrigues (native)
- Réunion (native)
- Senegal (native)
- Sierra Leone (native)
- Somalia (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Suriname (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Togo (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
- Assam (introduced)
- Bangladesh (introduced)
- Cambodia (introduced)
- Caroline Is. (introduced)
- China South-Central (introduced)
- China Southeast (introduced)
- Christmas I. (introduced)
- Fiji (introduced)
- Hainan (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Kazan-retto (introduced)
- Laos (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
- Malaya (introduced)
- Myanmar (introduced)
- Nansei-shoto (introduced)
- Nepal (introduced)
- New Caledonia (introduced)
- New Guinea (introduced)
- Northern Territory (introduced)
- Ogasawara-shoto (introduced)
- Philippines (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- Seychelles (introduced)
- Sri Lanka (introduced)
- Sulawesi (introduced)
- Taiwan (introduced)
- Thailand (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Vietnam (introduced)
- Windward Is. (introduced)
Additional Images
© 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.
Flower
Taken Jun 2, 2021 by Omodot Umoh (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 16, 2020 by Gaston Thiel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 2, 2019 by Konan Etienne yao (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 7, 2018 by laurence comte (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 7, 2018 by laurence comte (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jun 2, 2021 by Omodot Umoh (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 7, 2018 by laurence comte (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Apr 29, 2015 by Endemia – Dominique Fleurot (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 29, 2015 by Endemia – Dominique Fleurot (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 29, 2015 by Endemia – Dominique Fleurot (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 29, 2015 by Endemia – Dominique Fleurot (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 7, 2018 by laurence comte (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:269292-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/4927144)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Vine
