Coastal Morning Glory
Ipomoea littoralis

Family: Convolvulaceae

What it is like

A trailing or climbing plant. It lies along the ground or climbs 1.5 m high. It spreads 1-3 m wide. The stems root at the nodes. The rootstock is woody. Young growth is bright green. The leaves are 1-10 cm long by 1-7.5 cm wide. They are broadly oblong. They can have 3 lobes. The leaf stalks are 9 cm long. The leaves are bright green and fleshy. The flowers are 4 cm across and pink with a darker centre. The flowers occur singly in the axils of leaves. The fruit are capsules 1 cm across.

There are about 500 Ipomoea species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They grow along the coast in sandy soil. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions. They need very good drainage. It grows on coral atolls.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Asia, Australia, Cambodia, Central America, China, East Africa, Europe, Fiji, French Polynesia, FSM, Guam, Hawaii, India [coastal], Indochina [coastal], Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, New Caledonia, North Africa, North America, Northern Mariana Islands - Saipan, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pohnpei, Rotuma, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, Vietnam, West Indies, Yap

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten in soups in Pohnpei.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

They can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Palulu, Te ruku, Thaalhafili, Toro, White-flowered beach morning-glory

Synonyms

Calystegia affinis Endl.; Convolvulus denticulatus (R. Br.) Spreng.; Probably now Ipomoea stolonifera;