ClimberCultivatedPerennialMedicinal

Ipomoea cairica (L.) Sweet

Railway Creeper

Synonym: Convolvulus cairicus L

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Description

Ipomoea cairica is a vigorous perennial climbing vine with slender twining stems that may extend several meters. Leaves are simple, palmately divided into 5–7 lobes, giving a hand-shaped appearance. Flowers are large, funnel-shaped, lavender to pinkish-purple, usually borne in small axillary clusters. Fruits are small globose capsules containing black seeds.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative

Climbing vine with deeply palmately lobed leaves.

Floral

Large lavender trumpet-shaped flowers.

Fruit & Seed

Small capsules with black seeds.

Distribution

Native range: Tropical Africa and Asia.

Introduced range: Widely cultivated and naturalized worldwide.

In Pakistan: Commonly cultivated in Pakistan as an ornamental climber and occasionally naturalized.

Phenology

Flowering

Fruiting

Flowering: Almost throughout the year in warm climates Fruiting: Following flowering

Ethnobotany & Uses

Ornamental Uses

Popular ornamental vine due to attractive flowers and rapid growth.

Medicinal Uses

Traditionally used for inflammation, wounds, fever, and digestive disorders.

Ecological Importance

Provides cover for insects and small wildlife.

Invasive Potential

Can become invasive due to vigorous vegetative growth.

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Where it grows on campus

This species is on the campus floristic list but was not pinned during the GPS mapping survey, so it has no map records yet.

Taxonomic Notes

Ipomoea cairica is recognized by its palmately divided leaves and attractive lavender flowers. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental climber in tropical and subtropical regions. The accepted name follows POWO, WFO, and regional floras.