Flora of the Southeastern United States

Ipomoea leucantha Jacquin. Common name: Whitestar Morning-glory. Phenology: Jul-Dec. Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides. Distribution: "Occurs sporadically, principally in the eastern United States and in Central America south to Ecuador and Brazil" (Wood et al. 2020).

ID notes: This species seems best identified by its glabrous sepals (Felger et al. 2012), in comparison to the similar species I. cordatotriloba, I. lacunosa, and I. triloba.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Taxonomy Comments: This species had been thought to originate from a cross between I. cordatotriloba and I. lacunosa. However, Duncan & Rausher (2013) found that I. leucantha was not interfertile with I. lacunosa. It is widespread and fecund (Felger et al. 2012) necessitating its recognition as a species (Duncan & Rausher 2013). Another genetically similar entity was given the provisional name Ipomoea austinii (non I. austinii Infante-Bet.), but was not formally described (Duncan & Rausher 2013)." (Atlas of Florida Plants 2018).

Synonymy ⓘ: = Fl6, WH3, Wood et al (2020b); = Ipomoea ×leucantha Jacq. (pro sp.) — FNA14, K4, Meso4.2; = n/a — C, RAB. Basionym: Ipomoea leucantha Jacq. 1849

Links to other floras: = Ipomoea ×leucantha - FNA14

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Heliophily ⓘ: 9