Ipomoea cairica

A hairless, slim climber with bulbous roots and lignescented base, its leaves are stalked with 2 to 6 cm long petioles. The leaf blade is ovate to circular in outline, 3 to 10 cm long and 6 to 9 cm wide. It is divided into five to seven segments, these are lanceolate, ovate or elliptic, entire and pointed at the tip and base. Often pseudo side-leaves are formed. The lavender-coloured inflorescences are one to a cyme. The flower stalks are 12 to 20 mm long, the sepals are 6 to 8 mm long, ovate and sting-pointed. The crown is funnel-shaped, 4 to 6 cm long and violet colored. The stamens and the stylus do not protrude beyond the crown. The ovary is hairless. The fruits are spherical capsules approximately 1 cm in diameter containing one or two hairy seeds. Each fruit matures at about 1 cm across and contains hairy seeds. The vine blooms occasionally throughout the months, but more profusely from spring to summer. ==Range==

Its exact native range is uncertain, though it is believed to originate from a rather wide area, ranging from Cape Verde to the Arabian Peninsula, including northern Africa, tropical Africa and the Mediterranean. It covers walls, fences or trees, with stems that can measure more than in length. The altitude at which it has been recorded ranges from to . ==Invasive species==

Because of human dispersal, it occurs today on most continents as an introduced species and is sometimes a noxious weed and an invasive species, such as along the coast of New South Wales. As well as in the United States, where it occurs in Hawaii, California, all the gulf coast states, as well as Arkansas and Missouri. It is a widespread garden escape in southeast Australia. ==Cultivation==

Some plant nurseries sell this plant as an ornamental plant thanks to its showy purple flowers and as well for its fast growth to quickly cover unsightly fences or walls. It can grow as a separate plant if snapped during attempted removal process. The plant causes respiratory symptoms if ingested. Ipomoea cairica 'alba', also known as 'white Cairo morning glory', is a variety with white flowers. == Uses ==

Most parts of the plant are edible. Its roots are reportedly edible when cooked and its leaves are eaten when young. Zulu people use the plant medicinally, where they make a concoction with its crushed leaves and drink it to heal rashes and fever. The plant in some areas is also considered to have antibiotic properties. ==Gallery==

File:✿Ipomoea cairica Flower in Hong Kong✿.JPG|Flower closeup in Hong Kong File:Ipomoea cairica (dkrb)-1.jpg|Vining I. cairica in India File:Ipomoea cairica near Hyderabad W IMG 4798.jpg|Wall cover in Hyderabad File:Ipomoea cairica 25.jpg|As a groundcover File:Starr 050224-4415 Ipomoea cairica.jpg|Trailing as a weed in Oahu, Hawaii File:Ipomoea cairica 07294.JPG|Growing on a bridge rail File:Leaves of Ipomoea cairica.jpg|As a weed in Mexico File:Starr 050224-4416 Ipomoea cairica.jpg|White-flowered variety ('alba') File:Ipomoea stipulacea Scharf.jpg|Botanical illustration File:五爪金龍 Ipomoea cairica 20210309083143 01.jpg|After blooming, the curled flower resembles a bud that is about to open. File:五爪金龍 Ipomoea cairica 20210314171335.jpg| The entanglement of the petals of two flowers often causes one of them to detach from the stem. File:五爪金龍 Ipomoea cairica 20210309083143 15.jpg|Ipomoea cairica is called "Five-Clawed Golden Dragon" in Chinese. File:Ipomoea cairica, a jetirana (do tupi *îetyrana) 02.jpg|Flowers in Brazil File:Ipomoea cairica, ou jetirana (do tupi *îetyrana).jpg|Flowers ==References==