Plant: perennial herb; from elongated tubers; stems erect to ascending glabrous

Leaves: sessile, incised and appearing compound, the segments usually 5, linear or only tooth-like, 5-15 mm long

INFLORESCENCE: axillary, flowers solitary on peduncles 5-7 mm long; bracts caducous

Flowers: on pedicels 3-6 mm long, reflexed in fruit, the bracteoles scale-like; sepals 5-6 mm long, acute to obtuse and mucronate apically, the outer sepals 2 mm wide, elliptic to oblong, the inner sepals 3 mm wide, ovate, muricate-tuberculate at least on the midvein; corollas funnelform, 3-4 cm long, lavender to red-purple, glabrous, the limb 2-2.5 cm wide; stamens 18-21 mm long, included, the anthers 1-1.5 mm long; ovary ovoid, 2-locular, glabrous; styles 18-20 mm long

Fruit: FRUITS globose capsules, 4-5 mm wide, the apiculum 1 mm long. SEEDS 1-4, 3 mm long, ovoid, black to dark brown, shortly erect-hispid

Misc: Oak woodlands, plains, ponderosa pine zone; 1500-2500 m (5000-8200 ft); Jul-Sep

REFERENCES: Austin, Daniel F. 1998. J. Ariz. - Nev. Acad. Sci. Convolvulaceae 30(2): 61.

Duration: Perennial

Nativity: Native

Lifeform: Forb/Herb

General: Perennial herb arising from elongated tubers, erect to ascending, glabrous.

Leaves: Thin and linear, incised and appearing compound, edges of divisions often rolled inwards, generally with 5 divisions, sometimes individual divisions reduced to small nubs, 5-15 mm long.

Flowers: Purple, lavender, or reddish, funnelform, 3-4 cm long, outer sepals 3-6 mm long, with noticeable outgrowths, elliptic to oblong, stamens included, 18-20 mm, anthers 1-1.5 mm, ovary with 2 locules. Borne on peduncles 5-7 mm long.

Fruits: Round capsules, 4-5 mm wide, with 1-4 black or brown ovoid seeds, to 3 mm.

Ecology: Found in pine forests, oak woodlands, and plains, from 5,000-8,500 ft (1524-2438 m); flowering July-September.

Notes: This lovely morning-glory is distinguished by its large, purple flowers and divided leaves. Leaves tend to be ascending up the stem. This species looks similar at first glance to Ipomea plummerae. However, I. plummerae has larger leaves and the flowers are borne on longer peduncles. Also note the presence of the outgrowths on the sepals, which are not present on I. plummerae.

Ethnobotany: There is no specific use for this species, but the genus was used as an emetic, to treat worms and constipation, as a tonic, to treat asthma, and the tubers were used as food.

Synonyms: Convolvulus capillaceus, Ipomoea muricata

Editor: LCrumbacher, 2011