Ipomoea violacea

Ipomoea violacea is a perennial species of Ipomoea that occurs throughout the world with the exception of the European continent. It is most commonly called beach moonflower or sea moonflower as the flowers open at night.^[1]

Ipomoea violacea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Solanales
Family:	Convolvulaceae
Genus:	Ipomoea
Species:	I. violacea
Binomial name
Ipomoea violacea L.

Description

The corolla of the flower of Ipomoea violacea is white, distinguishing this species from Ipomoea tricolor, commonly called Heavenly Blue. It is sometimes mistaken for the cultivar Pearly Gates, the corolla of which is also white, probably because of its misleading Latin binomial name, Ipomoea violacea, "violacea" meaning purple.^[2]

Comparative taxonomies

A comparison of the taxonomy of the two plants shows that they belong to different Subgenera, consequently, Ipomoea violacea should not be used as a synonym for Ipomoea tricolor. In exceptional cases where Ipomoea violacea has to be used as a synonym of Ipomoea tricolor, one must specify the incorrect usage by using the abbreviation 'Auct.' for Auctorum.^[3][4]

Ipomoea violacea:^[3]

• Genus: Ipomoea

• Subgenus: Eriospermum

• Section: Erpipomoea

Ipomoea tricolor:^[5]

• Genus: Ipomoea

• Subgenus: Quamoclit

• Section: Tricolor

Ergoline Alkaloids

Ipomoea violacea is no longer a synonym for Ipomoea tricolor.^[6][7] Ipomoea tricolor contains ergolines, along with 24 other Ipomoeas,^[8] but I. violacea is not among them.^[9]