Ipomoea sp. Merluna (B.Hyland 21374V)

Provisional HISPID phrase name.

Vine stem diameters to 3 cm recorded. Exudate copious, greenish brown to khaki in colour.

Leaf blades about 7-16.5 x 8-12 cm, petioles about 2-6.5 cm long. Lateral veins about 8-10 on each side of the midrib. Apex of each leaf blade ending in a downward-pointing mucro. All plant parts clothed in pale (almost white) hairs. Two elliptic, raised, glabrous green glands present on each side of the petiole just prior to its junction with the leaf blade.

Outer sepals about 17 mm long, larger than the inner sepals. Outer surface of the corolla almost white, inner mainly pink except for the reddish-purple centre. Corolla about 7.5-10 cm long. Anthers about 1 cm long, staminal filaments about 3.5-4 cm long, clothed in hairs near the base. Pollen grains white, spinulose. Base of the ovary surrounded by a white, fleshy disk. Style about 4.5 cm long. Ovules 2 per locule.

Features not available.

Features not available.

Known only from a few collections from CYP. Altitudinal range not known, collections made at 100- 130 m. Grows in stunted monsoon forest and vine thicket on heavy seasonally swampy soils.