General Description:

Ipomoea is a large genus of over 600 species which are distributed widely in many parts of the world, with 30-40 being found in Australia. They are mainly climbing or twining species but there are some that are trees and shrubs. The plant family Convolvulaceae includes several invasive weed species including Ipomoea indica (Morning Glory) and Convolvulus arvensis (Bindweed).

Ipomoea pes-caprae comprises two sub-species; subsp. pes-caprae, which is not found in Australia and subsp. brasiliensis (listed as I.brasiliensis in New South Wales).  It is a spreading, decorative and very hardy groundcover with oval or elliptical shaped leaves to about 12 cm long which may be folded along the mid rib. The showy, pink to mauve flowers are about 20-25 mm diameter and have a shallow, funnel shape.  They may be seen at any time of the year. Like most members of the Convolvulaceae, the individual flowers last only a single day.

The plant is fast spreading and useful for weed control and dune remediation in coastal areas.  It is not often used in private gardens but would require an open, sunny position in well drained, sandy soils.  It can tolerate light frosts.