Ipomoea littoralis

Nomenclature

Accepted name/Authority/Place of publication: 

Ipomoea littoralis Blume, Bijdr. 713. 1825.

Synonyms: 

Convolvulus denticulatus Desr.

Ipomoea denticulata (Desr.) Choisy, non R. Br.

Misapplied: Ipomoea gracilis sensu authors not of R. Br.: e.g., Ooststr., Blumea 3: 516. 1940; Fl. Males. I, 4: 471. 1953; Kerr, Fl. Siam. 3(2): 13. 1954; and many others. 

Description

Habit: 
Herbs perennial. Stems prostrate, rooting at nodes, or twining, slender, mostly glabrous.
Leaves: 
Petiole 5–70 mm; leaf blade ovate to oblong, occasionally circular or reniform, 1–10 × 1–7.5 cm, glabrous or nearly so, base cordate, margin entire or minutely undulate to angular, or ± 3-lobed, apex acute, obtuse or emarginate, mucronulate.
Inflorescences: 
Inflorescences usually 1- (less often few) flowered; peduncle 1–30 mm; bracts early deciduous, 1–2 mm. Pedicel 1–4 cm, glabrous.
Flowers: 
Sepals unequal, glabrous; outer 2 sepals concave, oblong-elliptic, 6–10 mm, apex acute to obtuse; inner 3 sepals elliptic to nearly circular, 8–12 mm. Corolla pink or pink-purple, with a darker center, funnelform, 3–4.5 cm, glabrous. Stamens included; filaments unequal, glandular pubescent on basal 1/2. Pistil included; ovary glabrous; stigma 2-lobed.
Fruits: 
Capsule depressed-globose, ca. 9 mm in diam.
Seeds: 
Seeds black, ovoid, 3.5–4 mm, glabrous.
Author: 
Fang R.C. & G. Staples
References: 

Fang R.C., G. Staples, et al. 1995. Convolvulaceae in P. Raven & C.Y. Wu (eds.) Flora of China 16: 271–325.  

Cytology

Chromosome number: 
30
60
Author: 
Fang R.C. & G. Staples
References: 

Fang R.C., G. Staples, et al. 1995. Convolvulaceae in P. Raven & C.Y. Wu (eds.) Flora of China 16: 271–325.  

Biogeography, Ecology and Natural History

Distribution Map: 
Distribution: 

Taiwan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan (Ryukyu Islands), Myanmar, New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam; Africa, N Australia, Pacific Islands.

Ecology: 

Sandy seashores, coastal thickets, forest floors throughout the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans; 0–100 m. 

Phenology: 

Flowering: January, March, June, July, September, October, December; fruiting: January, July, December.

Author: 
Fang R.C. & G. Staples
References: 

Fang R.C., G. Staples, et al. 1995. Convolvulaceae in P. Raven & C.Y. Wu (eds.) Flora of China 16: 271–325.  

Other information

Common names and uses: 
nan sha shu teng (Chinese). Chingcho lek (Thai).
General comments: 

Long confused with Ipomoea gracilis R. Br., a distinct species that is endemic to Australia; the nomenclature, distribution, and ethnobotanical significance of I. littoralis have been discussed by D. F. Austin (Econ. Bot. 45: 251–256. 1991).

Authorship for webpage

Editor: 
George Staples, Esmond Er
Contributors: 
Classification: 
Ipomoea littoralis

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