Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Ipomoea polymorpha
Profile last updated:
20 Oct 2020
Description
Non-twining annual forb or creeper, with stems covered with white hairs and arising from tuberous roots. Leaves elliptic, 1.5-6 cm long, 0.5-2.5 cm wide, coarsely lobed or toothed mainly near the base, the tip rounded. The flowers are pink and trumpet-shaped, to 12 mm long and borne singly on short stalks in the leaf axils. Fruit a spherical capsule splitting into 4 segments, containing 3-4 downy seeds each 4-5 mm long.
Distribution
Restricted to the far north-western corner of NSW, occurring north from east of Tibooburra. Also found in the Burnett district of south-eastern Qld, the NT, SA and the Kimberley region of WA.
Habitat and ecology
- Associated species include Eucalyptus populnea, Ironwood, Melaleuca leucodendron, Eremophila freelingii and Senna oligophylla.
- Grows in sandy, rarely clay, soils in open Acacia and Eucalyptus communities. It occurs in a variety of habitats including red sand ridges, small depressions and ephemeral creeks in Mulga communities.
- Flowers throughout the year, but mainly autumn. Flowering and fruiting is also recorded from February to September.
- The tuberous roots of Ipomoea polymorpha can be eaten and were an important item in the diet of Aboriginal people. The roots were eaten after roasting in coals and were occasionally pounded into a paste. The plant is said to ooze a milky substance when cut.
- Has been recorded from disturbed sites such as an open area above a creek, at roadsides on gravel, on the edge of an eroded slope and growing with Dodonaea spp.
- A relatively uncommon and infrequent plant which appears in small clumps in good seasons after heavy summer rainfall. Occurs in populations as rare (only one or two plants), scattered and occasional, to common and frequent.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Grazing and trampling (stock and possibly native herbivores).
- Rabbits (grazing and undermining of the soil).
- Competition from other seasonal annuals may limit the species.
- Clearing of habitat.
- infrequent summer rainfall
Recovery strategies
A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.
Activities to assist this species
- Rabbit eradication and control program.
- Protect existing populations from grazing.
- Seasonal monitoring of populations.
- No further loss of extant populations.
- Survey for new populations
Information sources
- Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
- Cunningham, G.M., Mulham, W.E., Milthorpe, P.L. and Leigh, J.H. (1992) Plants of Western New South Wales. (Inkata Press, Sydney)
- Jessop, J.P. (1981) Flora of Central Australia. (Australian Systematic Botany Society, Sydney)
- Jessop, J.P. and Toelken, H.R. (eds.) (1986) Flora of South Australia. Part lll. (South Australian Government Printing Division, Adelaide)
- Johnson, R.W. (1992) Ipomoea. In Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 3. New South Wales University Press, Sydney.
- Jones, D.L. and Gray, B. (1977) Australian Climbing Plants. Reed, Sydney.
- Ooststroom, S.J. van (1953) Convolvulaceae. Flora Malesiana series I, 4: 388-512.
- Pressey, R.L., Cohn, J.S. and Porter, J.L. (1990) Vascular plants with restricted distributions in the Western Division of New South Wales. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 112: 213-227
- Roemer, J.J. and Schultes, J.A. (1819) Ipomoea polymorpha Roemer & Schultes. Systema Vegetabilium 4: 254.
- Stanley, T.D. and Ross, E.M. (1986) Flora of South-Eastern Queensland. Volume 2. Queensland Department of Primary Industries: Brisbane.
- Wheeler, J.R. (ed.) (1992) Flora of the Kimberley Region. (Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth)
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