Railway Creeper

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Railway Creeper
• Cairo morning-glory
• coastal morning-glory
• five-leaf morning-glory
• mile-a-minute
• mile-a-minute-vine
• railroad-creeper
• railway-creeper
• Cairo Morning Glory
• Coast Morning-Glory
• Coastal morning glory
• Common Morning Glory
• Gairo Morning Glory
• Messina Creeper
• Mile-a-minute vine
• Musina Creeper

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ipomoea cairica var. lineariloba
• Ipomoea cairica var. pinnatifidopalmata
• Ipomoea bouvetii
• Ipomoea cairica var. hederacea
• Ipomoea cairica var. indica
• Ipomoea cairica f. bicolor
• Ipomoea buaralap
• Ipomoea cairica var. obtusata
• Ipomoea tuberculata var. lineariloba
• Ipomoea cairica var. uniflora
• Ipomoea palmata var. indica
• Ipomoea tuberculata var. trichosperma
• Ipomoea pulchella var. arachnosperma
• Ipomoea quinqueloba
• Ipomoea stipulacea
• Ipomoea stipulacea f. pluriflora
• Ipomoea stipulacea f. uniflora
• Ipomoea stipulata
• Ipomoea senegalensis
• Ipomoea rosea var. pluripartita
• Batatas cavanillesii
• Ipomoea vesiculosa
• Convolvulus mucronatus
• Ipomoea tuberculata var. abbreviata
• Ipomoea tuberculosa
• Ipomoea palmata
• Ipomoea palmata var. gracillima
• Ipomoea frutescens
• Ipomoea funaria
• Ipomoea cavanillesii
• Ipomoea cairica var. gracillima
• Ipomoea digitifolia
• Convolvulus cavanillesii
• Convolvulus bellus
• Convolvulus cairicus
• Convolvulus digitatus
• Batatas pulchella
• Batatas senegalensis
• Convolvulus vittatus
• Convolvulus pendulus
• Convolvulus quinquelobus
• Convolvulus lupulifolia
• Convolvulus tuberculatus
• Convolvulus lymphaticus
• Ipomoea cairica var. cairica

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. It is further classified within the order Solanales and the family Convolvulaceae. Ultimately, the medicinal species is identified by the genus Ipomoea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several distinct regions, including parts of Southwestern Europe. Within this area, it can be found in both Spain and the Baleares islands. Its presence also extends into Southeastern Europe, specifically documented in Sicilia. Furthermore, the species is located in Northern Africa, notably within Egypt. Finally, its range reaches the Macaronesia region, specifically documented in the Canary Is.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ipomoea cairica is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to a wide variety of environmental conditions and diverse ecosystems. It thrives in multifaceted habitats, ranging from anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) and open fields (Campo Limpo) to complex forest systems, including Atlantic Forest remnants (Floresta Ombrófila/Ombrófila Mista), Gallery Forests (Floresta de Galeria), and the Amazonian Savanna (Savana Amazônica). Furthermore, the species is frequently found in Cerrado (latu sensu) and coastal Restinga environments. In terms of altitudinal distribution, the plant exhibits a broad vertical range, beginning at sea level (0 m AMSL) and reaching a maximum elevation of 975 m AMSL, with an average elevational preference centered around 350 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

975 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo Limpo, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista, Restinga, Savana Amazônica

Genetics

The genetics of Ipomoea cairica are characterized by a specific karyological profile, most notably defined by a chromosome number of 30. This numerical value serves as a fundamental cytogenetic marker for the species within the Convolvulaceae family, reflecting its evolutionary lineage and reproductive stability. The chromosomal arrangement plays a crucial role in determining the plant's genetic inheritance patterns, morphological diversity, and its ability to adapt to varying ecological niches. Understanding this chromosomal constitution is essential for studying the genomic complexity and the potential for polyploidy or hybridization events that may influence the plant's physiological traits and medicinal potency.

Chromosome number :

30

Life history

The life history of Ipomoea cairica is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It exhibits a complex life form, functioning as both a geophyte and a cryptophyte, which aids in its ability to survive and re-emerge in diverse environments. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, retaining its foliage to support continuous physiological processes.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ipomoea cairica is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. It is a terrestrial plant that exhibits a climbing habit, specifically classified as an obligatory vine. The shoot orientation is primarily prostrate, although it can extend significantly, with a maximum shoot length reaching up to 400 cm and a mean plant height of approximately 2.5 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not function as an epiphyte, maintaining its growth through its specialized climbing structure.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

2.5 m

Shoot length max:

400 cm

Shoot orientation :

prostrate

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ipomoea cairica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant's foliage exhibits specific morphological dimensions, with leaf lengths typically ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a mean of 4.5 cm, reaching a maximum of 10 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width varies from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 10 cm. The leaves possess an elliptic form and are characterized by a lack of succulence, indicating a non-succulent tissue structure. Additionally, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external nitrogen sources within its environment for nutrient uptake.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

4.5 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

10 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ipomoea cairica is characterized by a distinct flowering period that typically begins in March and concludes in June, though the species exhibits variable flowering patterns throughout the year. The plant produces violet flowers that range in length from 4.5 cm to 6 cm, with a maximum width of 8 cm, emerging from inflorescences that measure between 0.02 m and 0.08 m in length. Following pollination, the plant develops brown, capsule-type fruits. These capsules are relatively small, measuring between 1 cm and 1.2 cm in length and 1 cm and 1.2 cm in width. The fruit is dehiscent, meaning it splits open at maturity to facilitate seed release. The seeds contained within the capsule are small, with lengths ranging from 4 mm to 6 mm. Dispersal is primarily achieved through an autochorous syndrome, where the plant utilizes internal mechanisms to disperse its seeds.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flower colour :

violet

Flower length max:

6 cm

Flower length min:

4.5 cm

Flower width max:

8 cm

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit colour :

brown

Fruit length max:

1.2 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

1.2 cm

Fruit width min:

1 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.08 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.02 m

Seed length max:

6 mm

Seed length min:

4 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ipomoea cairica has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Jalapinolic acid, (11s)-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid.

Jalapinolic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Phytochemistry

(11s)-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Ipomoea cairica has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Antidiabetic.

Antidiabetic

1. Natural product research

Preparations

Ipomoea cairica has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oil.

Essential oil

1. Japanese journal of infectious diseases