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Synonyms: |
Convolvulus obscurus L. Ipomoea fragilis Choisy Ipomoea fragilis Choisy var. pubescens Hall. f. Ipomoea obscura (L.) Ker Gawl. var. fragilis (Choisy) Meeuse |
Common names: | Wild petunia (English) |
Frequency: | Common |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Perennial herb with trailing or twining stems up to 3 m long, growing from a narrow taproot. Leaves distinctly cordate (heart-shaped), 2.5-8.5 cm long, more or less pubescent on both surfaces; apex pointed; margin entire but wavy; petiole op to 11 cm long. Flowers pale apricot, yellow, cream or white, rarely with a purple centre. Capsule globose, tipped with the persistent style base. |
Notes: | See var. sagittifolia for comparison. |
Derivation of specific name: | obscura: indistinct, obscure |
Habitat: | In open woodland, grassland, savannah, cultivated land and road sides. |
Altitude range: (metres) | Up to 1700 m |
Flowering time: | Nov - Feb |
Worldwide distribution: | Widespread in tropical Africa, South Africa, Madagascar, Mascarene Islands and Seychelles. Also in tropical Asia, Australia (Queensland), Fiji, China and Taiwan. |
Zimbabwe distribution: | N,W,C,E,S |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Friday 27 January 2017 |
Literature: |
Bandeira, S., Bolnick, D. & Barbosa, F. (2007). Wild Flowers of Southern Mozambique Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique Page 171. (Includes a picture). Baumann, G. (2005). Photographic Guide to Wildflowers of Malawi Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi Pages 116 - 117. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 22. Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 48. Fabian, A. & Germishuizen, G. (1997). Wild Flowers of Northern South Africa. Fernwood Press, Vlaeburg. Pages 334 - 335. as Ipomoea obscura var. fragilis (Includes a picture). Gonçalves, M.L. (1987). Convolvulaceae Flora Zambesiaca 8(1) Pages 91 - 92. Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 232. (Includes a picture). Kirby, G. (2013). Wild Flowers of Southeast Botswana Struik Nature, Cape Town South Africa Page 157. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 36. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 43. Pooley, E. (1998). A Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. Natal Flora Publications Trust. Durban. Pages 304 - 305. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 50. Shone, D.K. & Drummond, R.B. (1965). Poisonous Plants of Rhodesia Ministry of Agriculture, Rhodesia Page 59. Timberlake, J.R. & Childes, S.L. (2004). Biodiversity of the Four Corners Area: Technical Reviews Volume Two (Chapter 5-15) Appendix 5-1: Plant Checklist Occasional Publications in Biodiversity 15 Page 204. Van Wyk, B. & Malan, S. (1988). Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of the Witwatersrand and Pretoria Region Struik, Cape Town Pages 126 - 127. as Ipomoea obscura var. fragilis (Includes a picture). |
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