CSIR-NEERI Biodiversity Portal

Scarlet Morning Glory

Ipomoea coccinea

Botanical name	: Ipomoea coccinea
Common Name	: Scarlet morning glory
Family	: Convolvulaceae
Synonym	: Quamoclit coccinea (L.) Moench
About	: Red morning glory is a spirited, fast growing, twining, twisting, climbing vine. It is a beautiful flowering vine that is a spot on butterfly magnet. The alternate leaves are heart shaped at the base, and usually three-lobed. They are typically glabrous, around 2-4 in (5-10 cm) long and about half as wide. The margins are typically entire but may be coarsely toothed, and the apex ends in an acute point. The flowers are dull red or orange-red. Flowers in cymes of 2-8 that may be solitary, on occasion. The sepals are subequal, 3-3.5mm long, ranging from elliptic to oblong. Petals are fused at the base to form a narrow tube that is sometimes referred to as "trumpet-shaped." Bracts are 1-3 cm in length ,Pedicels are 5-15 mm in length and erect. The style of the pistil is exserted beyond the stamens, and the ovary is ovoid. Flowering Time, Summer, July to October. Flowers are open for only one day. The fruits are 6-7 mm across. Mature fruits are more spherical in shape and have a light brown color and can contain up to 4 seeds. Seeds are more a wedge shaped, about 3-4 mm long; this can range from dark brown to black. It is native of North America but now cultivated in many parts of India as an ornamental plant.