Evolvulus sericeus

Evolvulus sericeus Sw.

Common Names: Silky Dwarf Morning Glory

Family: Convolvulaceae

Habit: Evolvulus sericeus grows as a lax perennial herb becoming basally woody, to 25 cm in height.  The leaves are arranged alternately, narrow lanceolate/linear, to 3 cm long and 1 cm wide with an entire margin, an acute leaf apex and leaf base. Leaves abaxially pubescent.

The complete, perfect, actinomorphic flowers are solitary in leaf axils.  The calyx has 5 unfused, green sepals. The sharply funnelform corolla has 5 fused, white to light blue petals. There are 5 functional stamens fused to the base of the corolla and 5 staminodes.  The superior ovary with 2 locules and numerous ovules. The round fruit is a tan, many seeded capsule with brown glabrous seeds.

Habitat: Evolvulus sericeus grows in Pine Woodlands and Sabal palmetto Woodlands.

Distribution: Evolvulus sericeus is native to the Lucayan Archipelago occurring on the northern Pine islands.  It also occurs throughout the Caribbean region as well as North, Central and South America.

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic Usage: Evolvulus sericeus is not used medicinally in the Bahamian Archipelago.