Star-glory

Quamoclit gracilis Hallier f., Bull. Herb. Boissier 7: 416. 1899, not Ipomoea gracilis R. Brown 1810

Annuals. Stems twining. Leaf blades usually (3–)5–7-lobed, middle lobe narrowly ± rhombic, sometimes proximal blades cordate to ovate, not lobed, 15–100 × 10–70 mm, base cordate to ± truncate, basal lobes rounded to pointed, margins ± dentate, surfaces glabrous or abaxial pilose. Peduncles glabrous. Flowers diurnal, sepals chartaceous to membranous, outers oblong, 3–3.5 mm, apex obtuse, rounded, or ± truncate, each with ± terminal corniform appendage 3–5 mm, glabrous, inners oblong, 4–5.7 mm, apex obtuse to truncate, each with ± terminal corniform appendage 2.5–3.5 mm; corolla red or red-orange, salverform, 18–26 mm, limb 10–15 mm diam. 2n = 30.

Flowering May–Nov. Chaparral, grasslands, oak woodlands, ponderosa pine zones; 700–2800 m; Ariz., Iowa, Kans., N.Mex., Tex.; Mexico.

Reports of Ipomoea cristulata from Iowa and Kansas may be based on cultivated plants; the report for Minnesota probably resulted from typographic error: MN for NM; the report for South Carolina was based on a specimen of I. coccinea.