Cypressvine Morningglory

Ipomoea quamoclit

Weed Description
Annual low-climbing or twining vine with leaves that are deeply divided into linear segments. Found throughout the southeastern United States, Virginia to Missouri and south to Texas.

Seedlings
Stems below the cotyledons (hypocotyls) are stout. Cotyledons very deeply indented and long, with an angle between the cotyledons greater than 90 degrees.

Leaves
Egg-shaped and widest near the base in outline, approximately 1 1/4 to 3 inches long, 1 to 2 inches wide, and divided into linear segments that are 1 mm or less wide. Leaves are without hairs.

Stems
Branched, trailing or low climbing vines that may reach 6 1/2 feet in length and also without hairs.

Flowers
Deep red to scarlet in color, approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches long. Flower stalks as long as the subtending leaf, bearing 1-3 flowers.

Fruit
A capsule without hairs containing reddish-brown seeds.

Roots
Fibrous root system.

Identifying Characteristics
Deeply divided leaves and cotyledon leaves with very wide angles between the points is one characteristic that helps to distinguish cypressvine morningglory from all of the other morningglories.

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Cypressvine Morningglory

Ipomoea quamoclit