How to identify Saltmarsh morning-glory (Ipomoea sagittata)

How to identify Saltmarsh morning-glory (Ipomoea sagittata)

Saltmarsh morning-glory showcases a deciduous vine habit, featuring large, trumpet-shaped flowers in a striking rose-lavender shade. Its blossoms, typical of many in its genus, offer a visual allure; however, it is distinguished by its unique, narrow leaves, which are shaped like a spear. These leaves are a key indicator for identification purposes. Its flowering season extends generously, brightening landscapes from mid-summer into fall. When planting, it prefers to ascend, so providing a structure for support, such as a fence or trellis, is advantageous. Optimal growth occurs in full sunlight and well-moistened, sandy environments.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Herb, Vine

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Saltmarsh morning-glory

Distinct spear-shaped leaves for identification.

Trumpet-shaped flowers in rose-lavender hue.

Smooth, slender stems twining and climbing.

Funnel-shaped flowers with pink-purple petals.

Globose capsules maturing from green to brown.

Detailed Traits of Saltmarsh morning-glory

Leaf Features

The leaves of saltmarsh morning-glory exhibit a distinctive sagittate or arrowhead shape, characterized by narrow points extending at both the front and rear. These leaves typically measure up to 5 inches (12.7 cm) in length and 3 inches (7.6 cm) in width. They have a smooth, slightly glossy texture with prominent, visible veins. The color tends to be a rich, medium green, with the veins sometimes appearing lighter. The leaves are thin and delicate, often arranged alternately along the stem.

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Flower Features

Saltmarsh morning-glory produces striking flowers that are funnel-shaped, with five fused petals that range from pink to purple, accented by a darker throat. These blooms typically measure around 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) in diameter. The flowers possess large nectaries and are supported by five smooth sepals at their base. With a subtle yet pleasant scent, these flowers bloom primarily from summer to early fall, making them a captivating sight in gardens and wild settings alike.

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Stem Features

The stem of saltmarsh morning-glory is smooth, slender, and twining, displaying a green to light green color. Typically, the diameter ranges from 0.1 to 0.2 inches (2.5 to 5 mm). The stems are often ribbed, facilitating attachment as the plant climbs and sprawls. Branching occurs sparsely, with the nodes being prominent. The texture is notably smooth to the touch, lacking any significant pubescence or roughness, making it a distinct feature for identification.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of saltmarsh morning-glory is a globose capsule with a distinct spherical shape. As the fruit matures, it transforms from a vibrant green to a brown color, indicative of ripeness. The capsule typically measures around 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) in diameter, with a smooth to slightly textured surface. Contained within are the seeds that release upon the capsule drying and splitting open at maturity. The seeds are small and serve as a dispersal unit for the propagation of saltmarsh morning-glory.

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Saltmarsh morning-glory and Their Similar Plants

Sweet potato vine vs. Saltmarsh morning-glory: What's The Difference?

While most assume that the sweet potato vine is a potato, it is not considered nightshade. However, sweet potatoes and potatoes both belong to the order of Solanales. Its culinary use is wide and can be fried, baked or boiled.

Common morning glory vs. Saltmarsh morning-glory: What's The Difference?

Common morning glory natives in Mexico and Central America and is commonly planted as an ornamental plant prized for its colorful trumpet-shaped flowers. It is naturalized in temperate and subtropical areas globally and in many places, always grown weedy and is considered to be invasive in many parts of the world.

Blue morning glory vs. Saltmarsh morning-glory: What's The Difference?

Blue morning glory (Ipomoea indica) is a twining evergreen vine native to tropical environments around the world. In the morning, the plant's flowers bloom and are a bright blue. By the end of the afternoon, the blossoms fade to a purple-pink color. New flowers appear daily from late spring to early fall.

Cypress vine vs. Saltmarsh morning-glory: What's The Difference?

Cypress vine is a beautiful vining plant with fern-like foliage and star-shaped red flowers. Cypress vine is resistant to deer and attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. It thrives in moist but not soggy soil, with full sun and a structure to climb on. This striking plant is toxic like its cousin, the Morning Glory.

Mexican morning glory vs. Saltmarsh morning-glory: What's The Difference?

This vining annual, the mexican morning glory, is a great climber for trellises, with heart-shaped leaves and showy blue blooms. Morning glories get their name because they open in the morning and close in the brighter afternoon light.

Moonflower vs. Saltmarsh morning-glory: What's The Difference?

Moonflower (Ipomoea alba) is a flowering plant that blooms at night. Moonflower is also called the moonflower or moon vine, and it is native to Argentina, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Florida in the United States. Moonflower is cultivated for ornamental purposes and is considered an invasive species in some areas.

Mile-A-Minute Vine vs. Saltmarsh morning-glory: What's The Difference?

Mile-A-Minute Vine (Ipomoea cairica) is seen all over the Hawaiian Islands because centuries ago, Polynesian explorers carried in their oceangoing canoes. It contains hydrogen cyanide so never follow the ancient Polynesians' example of roasting the tubers of the plant and eating them. It is always considered an invasive weed.

Man of the earth vs. Saltmarsh morning-glory: What's The Difference?

Man of the earth, or Ipomoea pandurata, is a vining perennial native to North America. Bees and hummingbirds are fond of the white flowers. It grows quickly, and the tubers in the ground are difficult to remove, so it may cause problems for the garden.

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Key Facts About Saltmarsh morning-glory

Attributes of Saltmarsh morning-glory

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Herb, Vine

Flower Color

Pink

Purple

Leaf type

Deciduous

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Scientific Classification of Saltmarsh morning-glory

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Nightshades, bindweeds, gooseweeds, and allies

Family

Morning-glory

Genus

Morning glories

Species

Saltmarsh morning-glory (Ipomoea sagittata)

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Distribution Map of Saltmarsh morning-glory

Saltmarsh morning-glory is a flowering plant that is indigenous to the major regions of the Caribbean and Central America. This species has since been introduced to parts of the Mediterranean basin and the South Asia region, expanding its presence to a selection of warmer temperate zones.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Saltmarsh morning-glory How to Grow and Care for Saltmarsh morning-glory