Ipomoea alba

Ipomoea alba L.

Common Names: Moon Vine, White Morning Glory, Moon Flower

Family: Convolvulaceae

Habit: Ipomoea alba grows as a glabrous climbing vine to 6 m in height with the base becoming woody over time. Will root at the node where it touches the ground. Leaves arranged alternately, suborbicular/ovate, sometimes 3-5 lobed, to 20 cm in length, with an entire margin, an acuminate to aristate leaf apex and a cordate leaf base.

The complete, perfect, actinomorphic flowers are arranged in few flowered cymes.  The calyx has 5 unfused, green sepals. The salverform corolla has 5 fused, white petals, with greenish lines, and are slightly enlarged at their base. There are 5 functional stamens fused to the base of the corolla.  The superior ovary with 3 locules and numerous ovules. The round fruit is a many seeded capsule. The flowers open at night.

Habitat: Ipomoea alba grows in Human Altered environments (yards, gardens, abandoned areas).

Distribution: Ipomoea alba is a doubtful native to the Lucayan Archipelago. It is native to North, Central and South America.  It has been spread throughout the world as an ornamental species.

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic Usage: Ipomoea alba is not known to be used medicinally in the Lucayan Archipelago.

It is grown as an ornamental but can become invasive.