Scientific Family
Convolvulaceae
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Similar species
Ipomoea plummerae
Height
Trailing to 39 inches
Riparian
No
This trailing or climbing vine has pinkish-purple tubular flowers and palmately dissected leaves with 5 to 9 narrow segments. The
midribs of the sepals are crested, thus the name costellata, which means crested.
The plant is an annual which distinguishes it from I. plummerae.
Habitat
Rocky sites in chaparral, oak woodland and ponderosa pine forests.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
3200
High elevation
7000
Flower Characteristics
The funnel-shaped flowers are up to 1/2 inch wide on a long stalk. The light green sepals are hairless, broad, and often crested or
warty.
Flower color
Pinkish-purple
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
The leaves are palmately dissected with 5 to 9 narrow segments. The stems are slender, green, trailing, and twining at the tips.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Palmate
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
The tan fruit capsules are round and about 3/16 inch wide.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Light brown
Capsules contain 3 to 4 black, oval seeds that are about 1/8 inch wide.