| Author | Dennstedt | |
| Distribution | Limited mainly to the southeastern part of the state, north to Craven and Robeson counties, but rapidly expanding in range, and has recently (2021) been seen in Wake County, and probably others between Wake and the coast. Most widespread fairly close to the immediate coast and coastal waters.
This is a Southern species, ranging north to southeastern NC, and south to the Gulf Coast from FL to TX. | |
| Abundance | Formerly (as in RAB 1968) considered as rare, and at one time was tracked by the NCNHP. However, in recent decades it has become locally abundant, and almost appears weedy. Whether all NC populations are native is a moot point now, as it probably was always native. It is common to abundant near the coast in New Hanover and Brunswick counties. It is fairly common and likely increasing north to Carteret County, but scarce in counties slightly inland. The NCNHP's State Rank of S2 is woefully incorrect now, and the website editors feel that S4 is appropriate. | |
| Habitat | This is a species of sandy thickets and wooded borders. It grows mostly on the margins of maritime shrubs and maritime forest edges, as well as in dunes. | |
| Phenology | Blooms in September and October, and fruits soon after flowering. | |
| Identification | This is a very familiar species in coastal areas in the southeastern part of the state, draping over vegetation in sandy soil. It is an herbaceous vine, growing to 10-12 feet long or more. The alternate leaves, about 3 inches long, are strongly cut into three long lobes, with the middle one narrow yet elliptical (narrowed at the base) and the outer ones wider and with large eared bases. All three lobes are quite sharply pointed. The numerous flowers, one per axil, are bright purple-rose to rose-pink, with dark red centers, and funnel-shaped; however, they are smaller than most other species in the genus, typically only about 1.5-2 inches long and across. Still, they are "large" as compared with flowers of most other coastal species, and a stand of this species, heavily draped over the edges of maritime thickets, in full bloom cannot be overlooked. | |
| Taxonomic Comments | This species was formerly known as I. trichocarpa.
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| Other Common Name(s) | Coastal Morning-glory, Cotton Morning-glory | |
| State Rank | S2 [S4] | |
| Global Rank | G5 | |
| State Status | | |
| US Status | | |
| USACE-agcp | FACU link |
| USACE-emp | FACU link |
