Mauritanian convolvulus

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Mauritanian convolvulus
• Forest Morning Glory
• Natal Cotton Plant
• Giant Potato

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ipomoea insignis var. pubescens
• Convolvulus paniculatus
• Batatas edulis var. platanifolia
• Ipomoea salaziana
• Modesta insignis
• Modesta paniculata
• Ipomoea supersticiosa
• Ipomoea digitata var. eriosperma
• Ipomoea paniculata var. eriosperma
• Batatas paniculata
• Ipomoea paniculata var. indivisa
• Batatas loureiroi
• Ipomoea paniculata var. pauciflora
• Batatas insignis
• Batatas bignonioides
• Ipomoea pavonii
• Ipomoea gossypiifolia
• Ipomoea ennealoba
• Ipomoea camerunensis
• Ipomoea digitata var. septemfida
• Ipomoea baalan
• Ipomoea bignonioides
• Ipomoea loureiroi
• Ipomoea paniculata var. heterophylla
• Ipomoea insignis
• Convolvulus bignonioides
• Convolvulus insignis
• Ipomoea paniculata var. mauritiana

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. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established within the genus Ipomoea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution spanning parts of Macaronesia and West Tropical Africa. Within the Macaronesian region, its presence is noted in Cape Verde. Moving into West Tropical Africa, the species can be found across several different nations. Specifically, it inhabits the territories of Benin, Burkina, and Gambia. Additionally, its range extends further south into Ghana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ipomoea Mauritiana is characterized by its adaptation to low-lying coastal and riparian environments, typically thriving within habitats such as Campo de Várzea and Restinga. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occurring at elevations ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. Its presence in these specific ecological niches suggests a preference for sandy, well-drained soils and environments subject to varying moisture levels, typical of transitional coastal scrublands and seasonal floodplains.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo de Várzea, Restinga

Life history

The life history of Ipomoea Mauritiana is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain a stable presence in its natural habitat. In terms of its growth habit and structural organization, the species is categorized as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits consistent with phanerophyte life forms where the stem is elevated above the ground level. This biological framework enables the plant to navigate its environmental niche effectively over its extended lifespan.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ipomoea mauritiana is characterized by its growth form as a herb and a climbing vine, functioning as an obligatory climber to navigate its environment. It exhibits a variable degree of woodiness and reaches a significant plant height with a mean measurement of approximately 10 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not function as an epiphyte or an aquatic plant, maintaining an independent existence rather than acting as a parasite.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

variable

Physiology

The physiology of Ipomoea Mauritiana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide during the light-independent reactions, a common metabolic strategy for many members of the Convolvulaceae family. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, as it lacks the specialized root nodules containing diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its growth and physiological vigor are heavily dependent on the availability of exogenous nitrogen sources within the soil matrix.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ipomoea mauritiana is characterized by a flexible flowering phenology and highly consistent seed production. The flowering period is notably variable, with the flowering cycle spanning across all months of the year, including January through December, though specific seasonal peaks can fluctuate. During this reproductive phase, the plant produces seeds with a remarkably uniform mass; the seed mass is strictly consistent, with a mean, maximum, and minimum value all measured at 0.04753 g. This uniformity in seed size suggests a stabilized reproductive strategy regarding the energy allocation for individual offspring.

Flowering time :

Nov

Seed mass mean:

0.04753 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ipomoea mauritiana has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CAMPESTEROL, Flavonoids, Lupeol, Octadecanoic acid, STIGMASTEROL.

CAMPESTEROL

1. ACS omega

Flavonoids

1. Data in brief

Lupeol

1. ACS omega

Octadecanoic acid

1. ACS omega

STIGMASTEROL

1. ACS omega

Saponins

1. Data in brief

Terpenoids

1. Data in brief

Activities

Ipomoea mauritiana has 6 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Carminative, Diuretic.

Anthelmintic

1. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine

Antimicrobial

1. ACS omega

Antioxidant

1. Data in brief

Carminative

1. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine

Diuretic

1. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine

Tonic

1. Data in brief

Medicinal Uses

Ipomoea mauritiana has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include anthelmintic, breast milk, diuretic, jaundice, neurodegenerative disorders.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations