Ipomoea is a genus in the convolvulaceae family with species that are perennials and annuals that are found in North and South America, West Indies, Hawaii, Asia, and South Africa. The popular Sweet Potato, Ipomoea batatas, is a common garden plant in the United States, as is the Cardinal Climber, Ipomoea x multifida, which is a hybrid of I. quamoclit and I. coccinea.
Ipomoea fistulosa (name uncertain, perhaps I. platensis) summer growing winter
dormant twiner several meters long forming a massive tuber, blooming for
months. Full sun, much water, do not overfertilize as it will grow lush on the
expense of flowers. Not frost hardy but excellent in containers. Propagates
easily from cuttings which should not be given a dormancy in their first winter
as they may not yet have formed a tuber. Best grown outside in summer as it
suffers from spider mite under glass, otherwise pest free, easy and rewarding. Information and pictures from Johannes-Ulrich Urban.
Ipomoea pandurata is a species native to eastern North America. It is a perennial wild flower with large showy white flowers with purple centers. The flowers open in morning and wither in the heat of afternoon summer sun. The seeds are distinctive in having a ring of fur similar to a lion's mane.
The seeds shown in the following picture were lethally damaged by an insect.
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