Alien Invasives · Common Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea)

Common Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea)

This plant is easily confused with the Morning Glory. A herbaceous twining annual with hairy stems up to 3 metres or more. Bright green, sparsely hairy, heart-shaped leaves. Purplish-blue, reddish, magenta or white funnel-shaped flowers, sometimes with contrasting stripes from November to May.

Other names: Gewone Purperwinde (Afrikaans)
ibhoqo; ijalamu; ubatata wentaba (isiZulu)
imotyikatsana (isiXhosa)
Invasive status: NEMBA Category 1b
CARA 2002 Category 3

Originally from: Tropical America
Where is it a problem?: Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape
How does it spread?: Seed dispersal
Why is it a problem?: This creeper invades woodlands, waste areas, arable land, roadsides, river banks and coastal dunes. It scrambles over and competes with other species. It is an annual plant and has less impact than the similar Ipomoea indica which is perennial.
Planting alternatives: Canary Creeper (Senecio tamoides), Black-eyed Susan (Thunbergia alata), Traveller’s Joy (Clematis brachiata)
Uses: Ornamental