Tree Morning Glory

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Tree Morning Glory

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ipomoea cuernavacensis
• Ipomoea oblonga
• Ipomoea arborescens var. glabrata
• Ipomoea arborescens var. pachylutea
• Argyreia oblonga
• Convolvulus arborescens

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Solanales, it is classified under the family Convolvulaceae and specifically belongs to the genus Ipomoea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning across several diverse regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in both Guinea and Senegal. Moving into West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The species also extends into East Tropical Africa, specifically inhabiting the territory of Kenya. Finally, its range reaches into South Tropical Africa, where it is located in Zimbabwe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Ipomoea arborescens is characterized by a robust, woody growth form that classifies it as a tree. Unlike many other members of its genus that function as vines or lianas, this species exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit, capable of maintaining its structure without the need for external assistance. It is a terrestrial plant, existing independently of other organisms rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, providing the necessary stability for its tree-like development within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ipomoea arborescens is characterized by its metabolic processes, most notably its reliance on the C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a C3 plant, its carbon fixation process occurs primarily through the Calvin cycle, where the enzyme RuBisCO facilitates the initial carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate to produce 3-phosphoglycerate. This metabolic strategy dictates the plant's gas exchange dynamics and water-use efficiency, as it relies on maintaining open stomata for CO2 uptake, which inherently increases transpiration rates. This physiological framework governs how the plant manages energy conversion, biomass accumulation, and its overall response to environmental variables such as light intensity, temperature, and moisture availability.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Ipomoea arborescens involves a complex set of mechanisms designed to ensure the spread and establishment of its progeny across diverse habitats. The species exhibits an unspecialized dispersal syndrome, meaning it does not rely on a single, highly specific biological or physical vector, but rather utilizes a combination of methods to facilitate seed movement. This multi-modal approach includes anemochory, where wind assists in the movement of lightweight seeds or dried structures; zoochory, involving the accidental transport of seeds by animals; and autochory, where the plant employs self-dispersal mechanisms such as seed pod dehiscence to eject seeds from the parent plant. Additionally, the plant may utilize hydrochory, allowing water currents to carry seeds to new locations. By employing this unspecialized strategy, Ipomoea arborescens maximizes its reproductive success by remaining adaptable to various environmental conditions and dispersal opportunities.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ipomoea arborescens has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Ipomoea arborescens has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Glycolipids.

Glycolipids

1. Journal of natural products