Ipomoea macrorhiza Michx.

Large Root Morning Glory; Pink Moonvine

Vine

Perennial

Vascular

Large Root Morning Glory is a native herbaceous perennial vine in the Morning Glory family (Convolvulaceae). It is found in the southern third of Alabama. Large Root Morning Glory grows on shell mounds, on dunes, in sandhills, and in dry sandy pine woods. It is a perennial from a large tuberous root. Stems are 5-20 feet in length, green or purplish in color, and pubescent. The stems climb by twining. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, ovate to 3-lobed in outline, and thick and stiff in texture. The leaves are pubescent on the lower surface. Flowers are solitary in the axils of the leaves. The pedicle of the flower is stout and pubescent. There are 5 elliptic, thick, pubescent sepals. The corolla is funnelform and white, pink, or pale lavender in color. The throat of the flower is a darker pink or lavender color. The flowers are fragrant and open at night. They wither soon after sunrise, especially on hot days. The fruit is an ovoid capsule with 3-5 large pubescent seed. Large Root Morning Glory is listed as an S1 plant in Alabama (typically 5 or fewer occurrences, very few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or some factor of its biology making it especially vulnerable in the state), and globally as a G4 species (imperiled globally because of rarity (6 - 20 occurrences, or few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other factors). Large Root Morning Glory is available from some native plant nurseries. It prefers a sandy, well-draining soil in full sun. Plants will need a trellis or other structure on which to climb.--A. Diamond

**

Native S1 (State Rank) G4 (Global Rank)

**