''Ipomoea setosa'', the Brazilian morning-glory, is a species of flowering plant in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Convolvulaceae. Its range is larger than its common name suggests and is native to Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil South, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela, and has been introduced to China, and the United States.

Cultivation and description

Like many species of ''Ipomoea'', this plant is cultivated for its flower blooms. It is a climbing herbaceous tree that grows in a seasonally dry tropical biome, and has four accepted infraspecific named variations. The seeds of this plant have an oval shape and have filamentous margins.

Chemistry

As with many species of ''Ipomoea'', ''I. setosa'' reportedly has

alkaloid Alkaloids are a class of basic, naturally occurring organic compounds that contain at least one nitrogen atom. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Some synthetic compounds of similar ...

s that make consuming the plant unpleasant for herbivores. It is not grown for consumption but for aesthetics.

References

setosa Flora of Southern America Plants described in 1819 {{Solanales-stub