Tievine (Ipomoea cordatotriloba)

Tievine

Also known as: Sharp-pod morning glory

Ipomoea cordatotrilobais a type of weed native to the southeastern United States, Mexico, and South America. Tievine has one heart-shaped leaf, and one leaf with three lobes. The flowers vary from pink to lavender to dark purple with five distinct lines that some say resemble a star pattern. Tievine is considered an invasive species in some areas.

Scientific classification

Species

Tievine (Ipomoea cordatotriloba)

Nightshades, bindweeds, gooseweeds, and allies

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Toxic to Pets

Toxicity

Weeds

Weed or not

Perennial

Lifespan

Vine, Herb

Plant Type

Summer, Fall

Bloom Time

3 m to 3.5 m

Plant Height

4.5 m

Spread

Green

Leaf Color

2.5 cm to 4 cm

Flower Size

Pink, Purple, Lavender

Flower Color

Winter dormancy

Dormancy

Deciduous

Leaf type

15 - 38 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Images of Tievine

Distribution of Tievine

Distribution Map

The tievine is native to the southern states of the United States and northeast Mexico but has been introduced to Cuba and Jamaica. The tievine grows frequently in disturbed ground and along roadsides but is considered too weedy to be used in gardens.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Introduced

No species reported

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Habitat

Disturbed sites, waste ground, roadsides, railroads

Hemisphere Trend Curve

Northern

Sorthern

Culture

Garden Use

Tievine is a vigorous and aggressive grower with broad foliage and showy trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom profusely. These traits make it useful for quick masking of unsightly surfaces such as fences and posts, and, in general, for creating a decorative low-maintenance plant cover. It is drought-tolerant and suitable for xeriscaping. On the other hand, tievine spreads invasively and can easily choke out plants it uses as support. Thus, be very careful if you decide to have it in your garden - it shouldn't be allowed to spread uncontrollably and over large areas.

Symbolism

Either love or mortality

Name Story

Tievine: In places that are considered too dry for many Morning-Glory species, this plant tends to twine on the fence creating an elegant and beautiful figure that is complemented with the colors and the leaves. Because of this strong vitality, it is called tievine.

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Toxicity

Tievine is toxic to cats and dogs; ingestion of seeds can cause symptoms like gastrointestinal upset, muscle tightness, and numbness. Humans may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hallucinations, and dilated pupils from consuming species of the Ipomoea genus. Immediate veterinary care is critical for pets showing signs of poisoning.

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Weed Control

Tievine is a weed in the southeastern U.S., ranging west to Texas, and considered a serious agricultural weed in Sri Lanka. Its preferred habitat is in disturbed ground. It is listed as an invasive species in Georgia, a prohibited noxious weed in Arizona, and a noxious weed in Arkansas. Removal requires pulling out the entire vine from the ground to include the root system or treating it with herbicide. Its aggressive growth can cause problems in a garden. The weed can choke out other local plants with the spreading of its vines.

How to Control It

The ideal season for removing the tievine plant is during late winter or early spring, just before the plant starts to grow significantly. This is because the plant is still dormant and thus easier to kill or remove. Here are some simple methods for doing this:

Hand Weeding: The most direct method to control tievine is through hand weeding. First, water the area to soften the soil. Using your hands or a hand trowel, firmly grab the base of the plant and pull upwards, making sure to remove the entire root system. Dispose of the plant away from your garden to prevent reseeding.
Smothering: Another method you can use is smothering. Cover the area where tievine is growing with multiple layers of newspaper, then place a thick layer of mulch on top. Make sure the whole area is covered and no light can penetrate. This method essentially deprives the plant of sunlight, causing it to die.
Plant Competition: You can introduce competitive plants that overrun the growth of tievine. Choose native, fast-growing plants that can establish dominance over the space quickly. Once these new plants are introduced, they'll compete for resources, inhibiting the growth of tievine.
Use of Vinegar: White vinegar can be used as a natural weed killer. Fill a spray bottle with undiluted vinegar and spray it directly onto the tievine during a sunny day. The acidity of the vinegar will burn the plant. Please remember to be careful as vinegar can also harm other plants.
Solarization: This method uses the power of the sun to kill tievine. You'll water the area where tievine is growing, then cover it with a clear plastic sheet. Secure the edges with rocks or soil. The sun will heat the soil, effectively sterilizing it and killing tievine.

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Care Guide for Tievine

Every week

Water

Full sun

Sunlight

15 - 38 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Garden Soil

Soil Type

Water: Tievine originates from subtropical regions and prefers moist, well-drained soils. It requires weekly watering for optimal growth and exhibits moderate drought tolerance. Regular hydration is crucial for its prolific flowering and extended blooming season.

Fertilize: Tievine requires frequent fertilizer in the seedling stage and throughout growing seasons (spring and summer). Use nitrogen during repotting and monthly foliar fertilizer. Apply phosphate and potassium during early flowering. Opt for water-soluble fertilizer to ensure even application and prevent root burn.

Pruning: To ensure healthy growth of tievine, prune diseased and weak branches during winter dormancy. This practice enhances ventilation by reducing branch density and minimizes the risk of pest infestations and diseases.

Propagation: Tievine can be propagated during spring and summer using herbaceous cuttings, with a moderate difficulty level. Successful propagation is indicated by new growth and root development. Utilizing a rooting hormone enhances success rates significantly.

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Images of Tievine

Distribution of Tievine

Culture

Toxicity

Weed Control

Care Guide for Tievine

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