Ivyleaf morningglory Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq.
Family: Convolvulaceae (Morningglory family)
Life cycle: Annual
Habitat: Crop fields, disturbed habitats
Native status: Introduced
General description: Twining, herbaceous vine with alternate, leaves with three deeply-divided lobes. First leaves sometimes are non-lobed. Light blue, pink to white, funnel-shaped flowers. Butterfly or saddle shaped cotyledons.
Key ID traits: Leaves have three deeply divided, rounded lobes. Stems and petioles are hairy.
Similar species: Tall morningglory has entire, heart-shaped leaves without the lobes. There are numerous other morningglory species in southern states.
Miscellaneous: Cultivated varieties of morningglory are usually Ipomoea purpurea (tall morningglory). Historically, mornningglories were a southern weed problem, but are becoming more of an issue in Iowa with climate change.
Meaghan Anderson Field Agronomist in Central Iowa
Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist in central Iowa and an extension specialist at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Educational programming is available for farmers, agribusinesses, pesticide applicators, certified crop advisors, and other individuals interested in crop ...