Ipomoea alba L.

Glabrous, fibrous-rooted perennial. Stems twining, sometimes muricate. Petiole 2.5–3.8 cm long. Lamina 5.5–16 × 4–14 cm, broad-ovate, entire or with 2 small outwardly directed lobes towards the base, deeply cordate with ± rounded sinus; apex usually acuminate. Infl. axillary, cymose, 1-few-flowered; peduncles stout; pedicels to 1 cm long, stout. Bracts small, caducous. Sepals 1.7–2 cm long, elliptic, unequal; outer 2 or 3 sepals with long patent or curved awns, the inner at most mucronate. Corolla 9.5–11 cm diam. across the patent limb, white with green mid-petaline bands outside, salverform; tube narrow-cylindric, 8.25–9.5 cm long. Stamens with exserted part 1.5–2.5 cm long; filaments glabrous. Capsule 2.5–3 cm long, ovoid, prominently beaked. Seeds c. 10 × 7 mm, deep brown, glabrous.

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

Flowering: Dec.–Mar.