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Flowers of Zihuatanejo

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Ipomoea bracteata

Flowers by Colour

-Plants (Kingdom Plantae)

-Vascular Plants (Phylum Tracheophyta)

-Flowering Plants (Subphylum Angiospermae)

-Dicots (Class Magnoliopsida)

-Nightshades, Bindweeds, Gooseweeds, and Allies (Order Solanales)

-Bindweed Family (Family Convolvulaceae)

-Subfamily Convolvuloideae

-Tribe Ipomoeeae

-Morning-Glories (Genus Ipomoea)

-Ipomoea bracteata


Ipomoea bracteata is a species of plant in the bindweed family Convolvulaceae. It is endemic to Mexico. Sometimes known as 'Wild Jicama', it is a large perennial woody vine issuing from a large tuberous root, that sprouts purplish flowers and interestingly colourful large bracts often found climbing to 30 feet up into any trees or other surrounding supports. The flowers are frequently visited by hummingbirds and the large juicy roots are eaten raw or processed by the people of the Pacific coastal areas of Mexico, Baja California and Central America.

Description

• Ipomoea bracteata is a climbing shrub or woody vine in the morning-glory family (Convolvulaceae). It has twining stems that climb through surrounding vegetation and produces funnel-shaped flowers characteristic of the genus. Its flowers are associated with conspicuous bracts, which give the species its name. The plant is also known under the synonym Exogonium bracteatum.

Range

• Ipomoea bracteata is native to Mexico, with records across central, northeastern, northwestern, southwestern, and Gulf regions of the country. It is native to Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.

Habitat

• It grows primarily in seasonally dry tropical environments, including tropical deciduous forests, scrub, woodland margins, and thickets. As a climbing shrub or liana, it uses nearby shrubs and trees for support and grows in warm areas with distinct wet and dry seasons.

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