White flower ipomopsis

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White flower ipomopsis

White flower ipomopsis calyces

White flower ipomopsis

White flower ipomopsis

White flower ipomopsis

White flower ipomopsis

White flower ipomopsis leaves

White flower ipomopsis flower

Morphology

Stem

Simple and erect to more often spreading-branched from near base; nearly smooth to sparsely glandular-hairy.

Leaves

Alternate, short-stalked to sessile, .5 to 2.4 inches long, glabrous; lower leaves pinnately divided into 3-7 linear or thread-like segments .4 to 1.2 inch long; upper leaves undivided and thread-like.

Inflorescence

Solitary, paired, or loose cymes of flowers; upper portion of plant appearing panicle-like, few- to many-flowered; flowers near branch ends.

Flower

Stalked; calyx 5-lobed, tube 1/8 to 1/5 inch long; corolla trumpet-shaped, white to pale blue; tube 1 to 1.75 inch long; lobes 5, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long; stamens 5, unequal, included or at most only two exserted.

Fruit

Capsule, ovoid to oblong, 1/3 to 1/2 inch long; seeds many, small, angular.

Ecology

Habitat

Dry stream beds and sand hills; sandy soils.

Distribution

West 1/2 of Kansas.

Practical Information

Uses

Native Americans used ipomopsis to treat a variety of ailments. The leaves were boiled with the resulting liquid taken for stomachaches; crushed leaves and flowers were steeped into a tea that was taken for headaches, used on sores, and served as a hair tonic to prevent baldness and lengthen the hair; and the plant was chewed together with salt to treat heartburn. An infusion of the flowers was mixed with feed and given to sheep with stomach disorders.

Additional Notes

Synonyms

Alternative scientific names that have been used for this plant.