pitted morning glory

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• pitted morning glory
• small white morning glory
• white morning glory
• whitestar
• White Morning-Glory
• Whitestar Potato
• white-star

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ipomoea triloba f. lacunosa
• Convolvulus lacunosus

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 the genus Ipomoea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across multiple continents and climatic zones. In Middle Europe, its presence can be documented in countries such as Belgium and Germany. Moving toward the east, it is found in the Russian Far East, specifically within the Primorye region. Its distribution extends into Western Asia, where it grows in Palestine. Finally, the species is also located within the southeastern portions of China.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ipomoea lacunosa is characterized by its ability to thrive in disturbed and anthropogenically influenced environments, frequently colonizing open, managed areas and roadsides. These habitats provide the necessary light availability and soil disturbance that facilitate its growth and spread. In terms of altitudinal distribution, the species is documented at a mean elevation of 0 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for lowland coastal or riverine plains where such open, disturbed landscapes are prevalent.

Elevational range mean:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

(?) open, managed, roadside

Life history

The life history of Ipomoea lacunosa is characterized by its classification as an annual species, meaning it completes its entire biological cycle—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. Following the germination of seeds, typically triggered by favorable moisture and temperature conditions, the plant undergoes rapid vegetative growth, establishing itself as a climbing or trailing vine. As the season progresses, the plant transitions from its vegetative phase into a reproductive stage, producing distinct flowers that facilitate pollination. Once pollination is successful, the plant focuses its energy on the development of seed pods, ensuring the dispersal of the next generation. After the seeds have matured and been released, the individual plant reaches the end of its lifespan, leaving the population to persist through the dormant seed bank until the subsequent growing season.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Ipomoea lacunosa is characterized by a non-woody growth form, functioning primarily as a herb and a forb. It typically reaches a plant height with a mean of approximately 2 m. The species exhibits a climbing habit, categorized as both an obligatory climber and a self-supporting structure. As a terrestrial plant, it does not function as an epiphyte and maintains an independent life cycle, meaning it is not a parasite.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ipomoea lacunosa is characterized by a metabolic framework governed by 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 atmospheric carbon dioxide to form a three-carbon compound, 3-phosphoglycerate. This metabolic strategy dictates its resource utilization patterns, particularly concerning water use efficiency and gas exchange, as the plant relies on open stomata during daylight hours to facilitate CO2 uptake. Consequently, its physiological adaptations are tuned to optimize light interception and nutrient assimilation within its specific ecological niche, balancing the energy requirements of photorespiration against the efficiency of carbohydrate production inherent to the C3 pathway.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ipomoea lacunosa 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 seed.

Seed

1. Journal of natural medicines

Chemicals

Ipomoea lacunosa has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (E)-2-Methylbut-2-enoic acid, 4,11-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid.

(E)-2-Methylbut-2-enoic acid

1. Journal of natural medicines

4,11-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid

1. Journal of natural medicines

Activities

Ipomoea lacunosa has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antiviral.

Antibacterial

1. Journal of natural medicines

Antiviral

1. Journal of natural medicines