Ipomoea triloba
Little bell morning glory
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Family: Convolvulaceae · Type: Vine · Not Native
Ipomoea triloba (Little bell morning glory) is a non-native California vine in the Convolvulaceae family, recognized by distinctive small bell-shaped corolla.
Little bell morning glory is a naturalized annual found in the southern Colorado Desert at elevations of -34 to 50 meters in agricultural fields and orchards. Flowering time details are not specified, but the plant produces bell-shaped flowers approximately 1 to 2 centimeters long with shallow 5-lobed corollas. Growing with slender stems, this plant has distinctive heart-shaped leaves 3 to 6 centimeters wide that are either entire or occasionally 3-lobed. Its leaves are glabrous and slightly pointed, with a cordate base and acuminate tip. The flower's sepals are 6 to 7 millimeters long, with oblong shapes that narrow abruptly to a needle-like point.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive small bell-shaped corolla
Habitat and range
Habitat: Fields, orchards
Elevation: -34-50 m
Outside California: native to tropical America
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 triloba native to California?
No. Ipomoea triloba is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Ipomoea triloba belong to?
Ipomoea triloba is in the Convolvulaceae family, genus Ipomoea.
What habitat does Ipomoea triloba grow in?
Ipomoea triloba grows in Fields, orchards.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Ipomoea cairica — Mile a minute vine
- Ipomoea hederacea — Ivy morning-glory
- Ipomoea indica — Oceanblue morning glory
- Ipomoea purpurea — Common morning-glory
- Ipomoea sp. — Morning-glory
- Calystegia atriplicifolia subsp. buttensis — Butte county morning-glory
- Calystegia collina — Coast range false bindweed
- Calystegia collina subsp. collina
- Calystegia collina subsp. oxyphylla — Mount saint helena morning-glory
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.