Ipomoea lobata (Cerv.) Thell., Convolvulaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  no

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Other Latin names:  Mina lobata Cerv.; Quamoclit lobata (Cerv.) House

Common name(s): [more details]

English: Spanish flag, firecracker vine

Habit:  vine

Description:  "Perennial glabrous twiner; stems slender, up to 5 m long. Leaf-blade broadly ovate to reniform in outline, 6-15 cm long and wide, with a deep sinus at the base, entire or 3-lobed; central lobe elliptic, acuminate, entire or remotely toothed; lateral lobes subovate, often lobed or with coarse teeth; petiole 3-13 cm long. Inflorescences up to 15 cm long; peduncles up to 20 cm long. Sepals 2-4 mm long, with an awn 2-3 mm long. Corolla red, later becoming whitish or pale yellow; narrow tubular part 4 mm long, 1.5 mm wide; upper part 17-20 mm long; teeth mucronulate. Stamens and style finally twice as long as the corolla. Capsule glabrous, ovoid, 6-8 mm long" (Turrill et al., 1963; p. 68).

Habitat/ecology:  "Naturalized in lowland rain forest" (Turrill et al., 1963; p. 68).

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  "Mexico to South America; widely cultivated in the tropics and occasionally seen as an escape" (Turrill et al., 1963; p. 68).

Presence:

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Guatemala (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Colombia	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Comments:  Reported invasive in Tanzania (Rejmánek, 1996).

Control:  If you know of control methods for Ipomoea lobata, please let us know.