''Ipomoea lacunosa'', the whitestar, white morning-glory or pitted morning-glory, is a species that belongs to the genus ''

Ipomoea ''Ipomoea'' () is the largest genus in the plant family Convolvulaceae, with over 600 species. It is a large and diverse group, with common names including morning glory, water convolvulus or water spinach, sweet potato, bindweed, moonfl ...

''. In this genus most members are commonly referred to as "

morning glories Morning glory (also written as morning-glory) is the common name for over 1,000 species of flowering plants in the family Convolvulaceae, whose current taxonomy and systematics are in flux. Morning glory species belong to many genera, some of ...

". The name for the genus, ''Ipomoea'', has root in the Greek words ''ips'' and ''homoios'', which translates to worm-like. This is a reference to the plant's vine-like growth. ''Lacunosa'' comes from a Latin word meaning air spaces, correlating with the venation of the leaves. ''Ipomoea lacunosa'' is native to the United States and grows annually. The flowers of this species are usually white and smaller than most other morning glories.

Distribution

Since ''Ipomoea lacunosa'' is native to the United States, the plant can be found in multiple areas throughout the country. ''Ipomoea lacunosa'' occurs in almost every state on the east coast, as well as some states in the Midwest, and California. The states that the whitestar potato can be found in are as follows: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Washington D.C., Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Montana, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. This species was also introduced to Canada and lives successfully in the province of Ontario. Although this plant grows rapidly, its tendency to be invasive is rather small in comparison to other members of the genus. Ipomoea lacunosa distribution

Habitat and ecology

''Ipomoea lacunosa'' occurs in a variety of habitat types, including disturbed areas, It grows on

prairie Prairies are ecosystems considered part of the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome by ecologists, based on similar temperate climates, moderate rainfall, and a composition of grasses, herbs, and shrubs, rather than trees, as the ...

, riverbanks, lakeshores, and roadsides, and in cultivated and abandoned fields and meadows. Insects associated with the plant include bees such as

bumblebee A bumblebee (or bumble bee, bumble-bee, or humble-bee) is any of over 250 species in the genus ''Bombus'', part of Apidae, one of the bee families. This genus is the only extant group in the tribe Bombini, though a few extinct related genera ...

s, '' Melitoma taurea'', '' Peponapis pruinosa'', and '' Cemolobus ipomoea''. The

larva A larva (; plural larvae ) is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle. ...

e of the plume moth '' Emmelina monodictyla'' feeds on the foliage, and it is host to several tortoise beetles.

Morphology

The stem of ''I. lacunosa'' is a slightly hairy (white hairs), twisting, climbing and twining vine with a small

taproot A taproot is a large, central, and dominant root from which other roots sprout laterally. Typically a taproot is somewhat straight and very thick, is tapering in shape, and grows directly downward. In some plants, such as the carrot, the taproo ...

. It can reach 2 meters in length. I. lacunose depends on its vining habit for dispersal. The roots are fibrous and have a small taproot. In a mature plant, the leaves take on a

cordate Cordate is an adjective meaning ' heart-shaped' and is most typically used for: * Cordate (leaf shape) The following is a list of terms which are used to describe leaf morphology in the description and taxonomy of plants. Leaves may be simple (a ...

shape, with a pointed tip, although sometimes it may have 3 deep lobes. The leaves of a less mature plant are usually

ovate Ovate may refer to: * Ovate (egg-shaped) leaves, tepals, or other botanical parts *Ovate, a type of prehistoric stone hand axe *Ovates, one of three ranks of membership in the Welsh Gorsedd *Vates In modern English, the nouns vates () and ova ...

. They are arranged alternately on the stem of the plant. The slender petioles are usually at least 3 centimeters long and have a slight adaxial groove. The leaves themselves can be up to 8 cm wide and 9.4 cm long. The margin of the leaf is typically purple and smooth. The upperside of the leaf may have a small amount of white hairs.

Flowers and fruits

The stalks of the plant that bears flowers is rough and usually has 1-3 flowers. The funnel-shaped flowers of the plant are normally white, but on rare occasion the flowers can be light purple or pink. The five petals are joined (

sympetalous Sympetaly (fused petals) is a flower characteristic that historically was used to classify a grouping of plants termed Sympetalae, but this term has been abandoned in newer molecular based classifications, although the grouping has similarity to ...

) or shallowly lobed and are approximately 2.5 cm long. The sepals are light green,

lanceolate The following is a list of terms which are used to describe leaf morphology in the description and taxonomy of plants. Leaves may be simple (a single leaf blade or lamina) or compound (with several leaflets). The edge of the leaf may be regular ...

, take on a leathery texture and can be up to 11.5 mm long. The anthers are a pinkish-purple and the filaments are white. The ovary is superior, cone-like in shape, and green. There is a single white stigma and

style Style is a manner of doing or presenting things and may refer to: * Architectural style, the features that make a building or structure historically identifiable * Design, the process of creating something * Fashion, a prevailing mode of clothing ...

. There are five stamen. The flowers have no perceptible or obvious scent. There are large seed capsules in the flower that are spherical in shape and hairy. The seeds themselves are irregularly oblong, shiny, and brown or black. Fruit is seen in the form of a capsule that is slightly flattened or rounded in shape, and can be up to 10mm wide.McGregor, Ronald L. et al. "Flora of the Great Plains." Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1986. Book. pg. 659

Food usage

''Ipomoea lacunosa'' is one of the species of ''Ipomoea'' that is used on a small scale by humans. The whitestar potato that it produces is traditionally consumed by a number of Native American tribes like the

Chiricahua Apache Chiricahua ( ) is a band of Apache Native Americans. Based in the Southern Plains and Southwestern United States, the Chiricahua (Tsokanende ) are related to other Apache groups: Ndendahe (Mogollon, Carrizaleño), Tchihende (Mimbreño), Sehend ...

s. Other animals usually avoid eating this plant due to the high

alkaloid Alkaloids are a class of basic, naturally occurring organic compounds that contain at least one nitrogen atom. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Some synthetic compounds of similar ...

content which makes it unpalatable. In some cases the amount of alkaloid in the plant can make it toxic. However certain caterpillars are capable of digesting the plant.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q6065262 lacunosa Flora of North America Plants described in 1753 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus Plants used in Native American cuisine