| Ocean-blue morningglory
|
| Ipomoea indica
|
| Convolvulaceae
|
Landscape Uses:
|
|
Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. |
Ecological Restoration Notes: |
|
|
| Availability: |
|
Available at native plant nurseries in central Florida. |
| Description: |
| |
Twining, high climbing herbaceous vine. |
| Height: |
| |
N/A; a twining vine with stems 15 feet or more in length. Often drapes over other vegetation forming large mats. |
| Growth Rate: |
| |
Fast. |
| Range: |
| |
Florida west to Texas and south to the Monroe County Keys; West Indies, Mexico, Central America and South America. |
| Habitats: |
| |
Hammocks and thickets. |
| Soils: |
| |
Moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soils, with humusy top layer. |
| Nutritional Requirements: |
| |
Moderate; can grow in nutrient poor soils, but needs some organic content to thrive. |
| Salt Water Tolerance: |
| |
Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water. |
| Salt Wind Tolerance: |
| |
High; can tolerate moderate amounts of salt wind without significant injury. |
| Drought Tolerance: |
| |
Moderate; generally requires moist soils, but tolerant of short periods of drought once established. |
| Light Requirements: |
| |
Full sun to light shade. |
| Flower Color: |
| |
Pinkish violet changing to purple, 2-3" wide. Pinkish stripes radiate out from the floral tube. There is a white-flowered form in the Florida Keys. |
| Flower Characteristics: |
| |
Showy. |
| Flowering Season: |
| |
All year. |
| Fruit: |
| |
Inconspicuous capsule. |
| Wildlife and Ecology: |
| |
Nectar source for Brazilian skipper (Calpodes ethlius), mangrove skipper (Phocides pigmalion), monk skipper (Asbolis capucinus) and other butterflies. |
| Horticultural Notes: |
| |
Can be grown from seed. |
| Comments: |
| |
Can become aggressive and dificult to control in the garden; caution is urged. |
|
|
|
James Johnson, 2014 In habitat, Everglades National Park, Florida
|
|
George D. Gann In habitat, Broward County, Florida
|
|
|
|