Water Spinach

Scientific name: Ipomoea aquatica Forssk.

Common names: Water spinach, swamp morning glory

Native To: Asia

Date of U.S. Introduction: 1970s

Images: Invasive.org and Google

Means of Introduction: Escaped ornamental

Impact: Crowds out native species

Current U.S. Distribution:

• PLANTS Database map (see complete PLANTS Profile for county distribution and native status)
• Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System
• NAS Database map

U.S. States and U.S. National Parks Where Reported Invasive: Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States map

Management Plans: Aquatic Species

Selected Internet Resources:

• Federal Government
• State Government
• University/Academic
• International
• Organizations

Ipomoea aquatica - Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database
DOI. USGS. Southeast Ecological Science Center.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Special Note: Distribution maps and collection information (State and County)

Ipomoea aquatica
Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
Taxonomy

Handle This Spinach With Care (Jun 1998)
USDA. Agricultural Research Service.
Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Dispersion; Controls

Ipomoea aquatica Article Citation Search - AGRICOLA Database
USDA. National Agricultural Library.
Research; Special Note: NAL Catalog Search (resources)

Ipomoea aquatica - Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN)
USDA. ARS. National Genetic Resources Program.
Taxonomy; Legal Aspects

Plant Profile for Ipomoea aquatica - PLANTS Database
USDA. NRCS. National Plant Data Center.
Taxonomy; Illustrations; Distribution; Legal Aspects

Water-spinach - Weed Alert (PDF | 302 KB)
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts

Risk Assessment for Chinese Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) in Oregon (May 2003; PDF | 204 KB)
Oregon Invasive Species Council.
Identification/Description; Illustrations; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution

University/Academic

Ipomoea aquatica (PDF | 83 KB)
University of Florida. Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Distribution

Swamp Morning Glory - Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States
University of Georgia. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Distribution

Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica, Convolvulaceae): A Food Gone Wild (PDF | 1 MB)
University of Hawai'i at Manoa.
Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Dispersion

Water Spinach - Exotic Aquatics on the Move
National Sea Grant Network and Geographic Education Alliances.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Controls

Ipomoea aquatica (vine, climber) - ISSG Global Invasive Species Database
World Conservation Union. Invasive Species Specialist Group.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

Water spinach, swamp morning-glory
Guide to Invasive Plants of the Galveston Bay Area.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Distribution; Controls

Ipomoea aquatica
Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Distribution

Ipomoea aquatica
Pulling Together Initiative. Texasinvasives.org.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls; Special Note: References