swamp morning-glory: Ipomoea aquatica (Solanales: Convolvulaceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States

swamp morning-glory	USDA PLANTS Symbol: IPAQ U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Aquatic Plants Vines
Ipomoea aquatica Forssk.

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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Solanales: Convolvulaceae
Synonym(s): swamp morning-glory, Water spinach, Swamp-cabbage, Ipomoea reptans,chinese water spinach, swamp morning glory, swanp morningglory
Native Range: China - cent. to south. () ; Not Found (BAIL)
Appearance Ipomoea aquatica is an annual herb. It can be a procumbent terrestrial in wetland areas or a floating aquatic. The thick hollow stems root at the nodes. Stems are slightly swollen above the nodes. It is native to temperate and tropical Asia, Africa, and Australia. It is used as a pot herb in some regions. Foliage The petiolate leaves are hastate (halberd shaped) with the central lobe lanceolate. The basal lobes are much smaller and sometimes almost absent. Leaves are from 1.5-5 in. (4-12 cm) inches long. Flowers The white to purple funnel shaped flowers are usually solitary. Sometimes a few flowers are held in a cyme. It can flower year round in tropical climates. Fruit Ipomoea aquatica fruits are woody ovoid capsules. Ecological Threat Ipomoea aquatica can become an invasive problem in some tropical and temperate regions outside of its native range. Its common name, water spinach indicates that use as a food is one reason it has been spread to other parts of the world. It is listed as a noxious weed in the United States. Ipomoea aquatica has been reported in Florida, California, Hawaii and Washington. It has also been reported in Micronesia, French Polynesia and South America.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules of the U.S. - USDA-APHIS

Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org

Infestation; USDA APHIS PPQ - Oxford, North Carolina , USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); USDA APHIS PPQ - Oxford, North Carolina , USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s); Florida Division of Plant Industry , Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); USDA APHIS PPQ - Oxford, North Carolina , USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Seed(s); USDA APHIS PPQ - Oxford, North Carolina , USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Seed(s); Ventral view of two seeds showing hilum. FNW taxon. Julia Scher, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org

State List
This map identifies those states that list this species on their invasive species list or law.

Invasive Listing Sources:

Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council

Virginia Invasive Plant Species List

Virginia Noxious Weeds

Virginia Regulations for Enforcement of Noxious Weeds Law

WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States