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Ipomoea cairica (L.) Sweet
| Family Name: | Convolvulaceae |
| Synonyms: | Convolvulus cairicus, Convolvulus cavanillesii, Convolvulus limphaticus |
| Common Name: | Messina Creeper, Mile A Minute Vine, Railway Creeper, 五爪金龙 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
|---|
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Pantropical |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Vine with a climbing or creeping growth habit, it can grow up to 5m hight with support. |
|---|---|
| Roots | Roots occur along the stem at the leaf nodes. |
| Foliage | Dark green, hairless leaves are deeply divided into 5 lance-shaped segments. The lobes are entire or minutely undulate. The basal pair of lobes are parted while the middle lobe is larger and ovate to ovate-elliptic or lanceolate in shape. |
| Flowers | Large, funnel-shaped flowers are dark pink to light purple (3.5 - 6 cm long, 6 - 8 cm wide). |
| Fruit | The fruit is a globose capsule which splits apart to reveal black, tomentose seeds. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Invasive / Potentially Invasive |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 132 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1428 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
