Ipomoea imperati aka Fiddle Leaf Morning Glory

Ipomoea imperati also goes by the name beach morning-glory. It belongs to Convolvulaceae, the morning glory family. This vine lives for more than one year. It grows on tropical and subtropical coasts around the world. In the wild, it grows on sandy beaches and coastal dunes. It creeps on the ground, not as an upright bush. Its low stems spread over sand and root at nodes. These roots help hold loose dune sand in place.

Plants reach about 0.5 feet [0.15 metres] in height. They can spread to 30 feet [9.14 metres]. This wide, low form needs room to spread across the ground. The long stems feel smooth and have no scent. Leaves grow in turns along them, not in opposite pairs. Each leaf is simple, with one blade, and feels fleshy. The leaves have no hairs. Their shapes vary, though some have an oval outline. Each leaf has a notch at its tip. These traits help tell it apart from other morning glories.

The petals join to form a wide funnel. Each bloom is white with a yellow center. Each flower spans about 0.17 feet [0.05 metres]. Flowers open in the morning and close by the afternoon. The plant blooms from early summer through October. Bees and hummingbirds visit the flowers. Dry fruits called capsules form after the blooms. They appear from September through November and split when ripe. Small mammals eat the seeds. Thus, the plant feeds wildlife through more than its flowers.

Grow beach morning-glory in full sun, in sandy soil that drains well. The ground can range from dry to moist. The source lists both neutral and alkaline soils as good choices. The plant copes with heat, wind, drought, and salt spray. This makes it useful as ground cover in coastal gardens. It also suits plantings that must cope with drought. It fits gardens that support pollinators, such as bees. Its stems take root and help stop sand from washing away. North Carolina State lists USDA hardiness zones 9a through 10b. Grow new plants from seed or split plants to make more.

Sweet potato weevils and spider mites may cause problems at times. The plant has poison traits of low severity. Eating it may make you vomit. Large amounts of seed may cause hallucinations from indole alkaloids. The source flags risks for cats, dogs, and horses too. It reports no contact dermatitis, a skin rash caused by touch. Wildlife can eat parts of this plant. That does not mean those parts are safe for people to eat.