Ipomoea squamosa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ipomoea mattogrossensis
• Ipomoea squamosa var. petiolaris
• Ipomoea squamosa var. villosa
• Ipomoea trinitensis
• Ipomoea vestalii
• Ipomoea wilsonii
• Ipomoea callida
• Ipomoea morelii
• Convolvulus mattogrossensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Solanales and the family Convolvulaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identification is placed within the genus Ipomoea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence throughout various regions of Mexico. Its distribution can be found across Mexico Central and throughout the Mexico Northeast. Furthermore, the species is well-established in the Mexico Gulf area. It also inhabits the landscapes of Mexico Southwest. Finally, its geographical range extends into the Mexico Southeast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ipomoea squamosa is characterized by its adaptability to a diverse range of altitudinal gradients, primarily thriving in low-lying areas and extending up to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL. Its distribution begins at an elevational range minimum of 0 m AMSL, indicating a strong preference for coastal, lowland, and sub-montane environments. As a climbing or trailing herb, it typically colonizes disturbed habitats, forest edges, and open grasslands where sunlight availability is sufficient to support its growth patterns. The plant's ability to occupy such a wide vertical niche suggests a resilient physiological capacity to handle varying atmospheric pressures and temperature fluctuations found between sea level and its upper limit of 1000 meters.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Ipomoea squamosa is characterized by its growth habit as a non-woody herb, functioning primarily as a liana. It acts as an obligatory climber, utilizing surrounding structures for support rather than being self-supporting. Although the plant is classified within a spectrum that includes aquatic and semiaquatic niches, its primary ecological manifestation is terrestrial. As a terrestrial organism, it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte, and instead maintains an independent existence, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ipomoea squamosa is characterized by its efficient metabolic processes and structural adaptations suited for diverse environments. Central to its energy production is its photosynthetic pathway, which functions via the C3 mechanism; in this process, carbon dioxide is fixed directly by the enzyme RuBisCO into a three-carbon compound, forming a primary stable product during the Calvin cycle. This C3 metabolism dictates the plant's water-use efficiency and transpiration rates, as it relies on open stomata for gas exchange, necessitating physiological resilience to manage moisture loss. Beyond carbon fixation, the plant exhibits robust physiological responses to environmental stressors, including specialized osmotic regulation and nutrient uptake mechanisms that support its rapid growth and reproductive cycles.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ipomoea squamosa 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Ipomoea squamosa has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Ipomoea squamosa has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer

1. Journal of natural products