Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.

Tuberous-rooted perennial. Stems trailing or erect, glabrous or hairy. Petioles long and slender, often > lamina. Lamina very variable in size, shape and dissection, particularly in the degree of lobing, usually entire with long-acuminate apices. Infl. an axillary cyme, usually few-flowered; peduncles to 8 cm long, stout; pedicels to 1 cm long. Bracts < sepals. Sepals c. 1 cm long, mucronate, glabrous; inner sepals slightly > outer. Corolla c. 4 cm long and 3–3.5 cm diam. across limb, funnelform, pink with purplish or reddish purple centre. Stamens included; filaments hairy towards base. Ovary surrounded by tuft of hairs. Capsule not seen.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]