Ipomoea sagittata, commonly called the saltmarsh morning glory, is a species of flowering plant in the morning glory family. It is native to the Caribbean, Mexico, and the Southeastern United States where it is found in coastal areas. It has been introduced in the Mediterranean Basin at least since the 17th century as a result of seeds transported in ship ballast soil, the ornamental trade or its uses in medicine. This species can be found in the wild in thickets on barrier islands, the edges of salt marshes, and in hammocks.
Saltmarsh Morning Glory (Ipomoea sagittata) is a native, trailing perennial vine in the Southeastern US and Caribbean, known for its arrowhead-shaped leaves and trumpet-shaped pink/purple flowers that open in the morning and close by afternoon, thriving in coastal, brackish, or moist soils. It's a vigorous climber, growing up to 12 feet, attracting pollinators, and has a long bloom season from summer to fall.
Key Facts
Scientific Name: Ipomoea sagittata (from sagitta, meaning "arrow" for its leaves).
Habitat: Coastal areas, salt marshes, mangrove swamps, barrier island thickets, and hammocks.
Appearance:
Flowers: Funnel-shaped, pink to purplish, with a darker throat, blooming solitary or in small clusters.
Leaves: Distinctive narrow, spear-shaped, or arrowhead-shaped.
Growth: A vigorous, trailing or twining vine that can reach 6 to 12 feet long.
Blooming: Mid-summer through fall, with flowers opening in the morning and wilting by afternoon.
