Ipomoea cairica
Mile a minute vine
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Family: Convolvulaceae · Type: Vine · Not Native
Ipomoea cairica (Mile a minute vine) is a non-native California vine in the Convolvulaceae family, recognized by leaflet vs lobe distinction key.
Mile a minute vine is a naturalized perennial herb found in southern coastal regions near Santa Margarita Lake in San Luis Obispo County at elevations around 300 meters in disturbed places. Flowering throughout the growing season, this vine produces lavender-blue to white flowers approximately 4 to 6 centimeters long with sepals 4 to 7 millimeters wide that have rounded tips. Growing as a climbing vine with slender stems, it spreads extensively through disturbed landscapes. Its leaves are nearly hairless with typically 3 to 5 leaflets, where the central leaflet ranges 1 to 5 centimeters long. The plant typically produces single flowers on each peduncle, creating distinctive sparse flowering clusters in its habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; leaflet vs lobe distinction key
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed places
Elevation: +- 300 m.
California counties: Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, Imperial, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Alameda
Outside California: may be native to Africa
How to tell it apart
vs Calystegia: Calystegia stigma has two flattened lobes; Ipomoea stigma is a single rounded knob.; vs Convolvulus: Convolvulus stigma splits into two pointed lobes; Ipomoea stigma is unlobed and ball-shaped.; vs Pandorea: Pandorea has compound leaves; Ipomoea has simple leaves.; vs Alyogyne: Alyogyne has deeply lobed leaves; Ipomoea leaves are typically heart-shaped or entire.; vs Datura: Datura flowers are upright trumpets with pleated edges; Ipomoea flowers are smooth funnels.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ipomoea cairica native to California?
No. Ipomoea cairica is not native to California (recorded as not native).
Where in California does Ipomoea cairica grow?
Ipomoea cairica occurs in Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, Imperial, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Alameda, at elevations of +- 300 m..
What plant family does Ipomoea cairica belong to?
Ipomoea cairica is in the Convolvulaceae family, genus Ipomoea.
What habitat does Ipomoea cairica grow in?
Ipomoea cairica grows in Disturbed places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.