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Publication #SP 37

 

Cypressvine Morningglory, Ipomoea quamoclit L.1

David W. Hall, Vernon V. Vandiver, and Jason A. Ferrell2

Classification

Common Name: Cypressvine Morningglory

Scientific Name: Ipomoea quamoclit L.

Family: Convolvulaceae, Morningglory Family

Seedling

The cotyledons are about 5-6 cm long and up to 3 mm wide (Figure 1). Each cotyledon consists of two widely divergent, somewhat linear, tapering lobes. The first leaves are deeply divided with many linear segments.

Figure 1. 

Seedling, Cypressvine Morningglory, Ipomoea quamoclit L.


[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Mature Plant

Cypressvine morningglory is an annual, smooth, twining vine (Figure 2). The leaves are ovate in general outline but deeply divided into many linear segments or lobes. Each segment is about 1 mm or less in width. The entire leaf may be up to 7.5 cm long and 4.5 cm wide. The flower stalks may be shorter than, or about as long as, the leaf blade underneath. Each flower stalk bears from 1-3 flowers on stalks which may be up to 2.5 cm long. The individual flower stalks are gradually enlarged from the base toward the flower. The sepals (outer layer) are from 5-7 mm long and oblong shaped. They have a short, sharp, flexible point at the apex and overlap. The joined petals are usually crimson or occasionally may be white. They may be from 2.7-4 cm long and about 2 cm broad at the top. The stamens and the stigma are slightly longer than the flower tube. The fruit is a round-ovoid capsule, 5-8 mm long, usually containing four seeds.

Figure 2. 

Mature plant, Cypressvine Morningglory, Ipomoea quamoclit L.


[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

History

Ipomoea is derived from the Greek words ips and homoios meaning worm-like, referring to the vining habit. The Greek word quamoclit means dwarf kidney bean which could refer to the shape of the cotyledons.

Habitat

This plant occurs throughout Florida, westward to Texas, northward to Kansas, eastward to Virginia and throughout the tropics. It is commonly found in cultivated fields, roadsides and waste areas within this range.

Biology

Germination increased as temperature increased from 16-32°C over a period of four days. Maximum germination was obtained between 24 and 32°C after four days. Osmotic pressure of 10 bars during a four-day period limited the germination to 4% while at 0 bars germination was 99.8%. Sample measurements have shown a vine weight of 290.0-607.8 g, a seed count of 8640-9596, and a seed weight of 13.3-13.5 mg.

Control

Cotton

Preemergence control is difficult to achieve. Cotoran is somewhat effective, but Direx, Staple, Dual, and Prowl/Treflan have little or no activity. Therefore, postemergence control is particularly important and timing is critical. Glyphosate will control most morningglory species when small, but control with glyphosate decreases dramatically after the plant develops 4 leaves. Early application with glyphosate is critical. Staple and Envoke are also effective, but control is often less than 90% with these herbicides. The most effective over-the-top application is glyphosate plus Staple.

Several post-directed herbicides will effectively control this species. MSMA in combination with Caparol, Direx, Valor, or Suprend are highly effective. However, the most effective treatments are glyphosate plus Valor or Aim.

Also highly effective, but seldom used, is Ignite. Ignite can only be used on Liberty-Link cotton, but can be applied over-the-top throughout the season.

Peanut

Cypressvine morningglory control with preemergence herbicides is difficult. Only Pursuit will consistently provide >80% control. Strongarm and Valor both have preemergence activity, but control is often inconsistent and less than 80%. The postemergence herbicides with the greatest levels of activity are Pursuit, Cadre, Cobra and Ultra Blazer. Each of these herbicides are effective on and will often provide 85 to 90% control of 2 to 4-leaf morning-glory. However, 6-leaf morning-glory is more difficult to control and after 6-leaf only suppression (not control) can be expected. For large pitted morning-glory, Ultra Blazer is the only herbicide option that can be expected to provide acceptable levels of suppression/control.

Footnotes

1.

This document is SP 37, one of a series of the Agronomy Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date May 1991. Revised February 2006. Reviewed January 2012. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

David W. Hall, former extension botanist, Herbarium, Florida Museum of Natural History; Vernon V. Vandiver, associate professor emeritus, Agronomy Department; Jason A. Ferrell, assistant professor, Agronomy Department; Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication does not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.