palmleaf morningglory
Family
ConvolvulaceaeScientific Name
Ipomoea wrightii
Other Common Names:
Wright's morningglory
Leaves
First true leaf and all subsequent leaves are distinctly lobed into 3 to 7 segments, giving the overall appearance of fingers on a hand. Individual segments range from 3/4 to 2 1/2 inches long. All lobes also arise from the same point (palmately divided leaves).
Identifying Characteristics
The leaves that are divided into 3 to 7 segments that arise from the same point (palmately divided), the pink to light purple flowers, and the seed capsule with a spiraled stalk are all key characteristic that help in the identification of palmleaf morningglory. However, the cotyledons of palmleaf morningglory and Pitted Morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa) are nearly identical, and distinguishing between these two species usually requires waiting for the first true leaf to form.
Flower Seed Head
Typical, morningglory-like flowers occur that are pink to light purple in color with a darker center. Flowers range from 3/4 to 1 inch in length.
Seed Fruit
Cotyledons are deeply indented, have pointed ends, and are without hairs. The cotyledons of palmleaf morningglory are very similar to those of pitted morningglory.Fruit: A brown capsule that is without hairs (glabrous) and has a distinctively coiled or spiraled stalk. The capsules contain several dark brown seed that usually have long white hairs attached to them.
Where Found
Palmleaf morningglory is primarily a weed of agronomic crops found in the lower southeastern states only.
Growth Habit
vine
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
Varies:
pencil,
dime,
nickle
Dominant Flower Color
Varies:
purple,
pink
Flower Symmetry
radial symmetery
Leaf Hairs
no hairs
Leaf Shape
lance
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Structure
palmate
Leaf Stalk
longer than leaf
Stem Hairs
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
taproot
Life Cycle
perennial
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Vine