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How to recognise it
Perennial climber up to 15 m.
Leaves: entire to three-lobed, acuminate, largely ovate to
cordate, with 9-18 cm.
Flowers: tapered, large, with 6-8,5 cm, very flashy, frequently
blue, but sometimes white, pink or multi-coloured, generally
becoming pink when they wither.
Fruits: capsules with 10-13 mm diameter, with 4-6 seeds
inside.
Flowering: June to November. Close-up of three-lobed leaves
Similar species
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Ipomoea indica (blue morning glory)
Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Roth has some similarities, but it’s an annual herb and with entire leaves. Its
flowers may be grossly mistaken by violet-flowered petunias (Petunia integrifolia (Hook) Schinz & Thell),
but its plant type and leaves are much larger than the latter one’s.
Distribution in Portugal
Mainland Portugal (Douro Litoral, Beira Litoral,
Estremadura, Ribatejo, Baixo Alentejo, Algarve),
Azores archipelago (all islands), Madeira
archipelago (island of Madeira).
Introduction reasons
Ornamental reasons.
IMPACTS
Impacts on ecosystems
It forms impenetrable mats that smother trees, shrubs and grasses of other species, leading to their
death and preventing the development of native vegetation.
CONTROL
Controlling an invasive species demands a well-planned management, which includes the determination
of the invaded area, identifying the causes of invasion, assessing the impacts, defining the intervention
Physical control
Hand pulling (preferential methodology). In more compact substrates, hand pulling should be made
during the rainy season to facilitate the removal of the root system. It should be guaranteed that no large
fragments are left in the ground; these would root easily and originate new invasion foci. Every unpulled
material should be removed from the location for later destruction.
Controlo químico
Foliar application of herbicide: applied in extensive areas that are invaded by the species. Spray with
herbicide (active substance: glyphosate) limiting its application to the target species.
For additional information, visit the webpage www.invasoras.pt and/or contact us at invader@uc.pt.
REFERENCES
Dana ED, Sanz-Elorza M, Vivas S, Sobrino E (2005) Especies vegetales invasoras en Andalucía. Consejería de Medio Ambiente,
Junta de Andalucía, Sevilla, 233pp.
Fagundes D, Az J, Beiras MB (2007) Bioloxía, distribución e métodos de control. Xunta de Galicia, Santiago de Compostela,
209pp.
Marchante E, Freitas H, Marchante H (2008) Guia prático para a identificação de plantas invasoras de Portugal Continental.
Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, 183pp.
Silva L, Corvelo R, Moura M, Guerra AS, Fernandes FM (2008) Ipomoea indica (Burm. Fil.) Merr. In: Silva L, Land EO, Luengo JLR
(eds) Flora e fauna terrestre invasora na Macaronésia. Top 100 nos Açores, Madeira e Canárias. Arena, Ponta Delgada, pp. 318-
321.
USDA, NRCS. (2012) The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA. Available: http://
plants.usda.gov [Retrieved 12/11/2012].