Ipomoea species in Greece, Iran and Türkiye
Ipomoea is a large and diverse group of annual or perennial climbing vines, shrubs or small trees in the family Convolvulaceae. There are approximately 20-25 widespread invasive alien species of Ipomoea reported from tropical countries throughout the world. Greece, Türkiye and Iran form a longitudinal gradient which stretches from 21o west. These countries have some similarities in habitat and climatic characteristics which are suitable for the establishment of Ipomoea species. As a result, new introductions and negative impacts have been recorded in all three countries (Table 1). For example, in Greece, I. hederacea is problematic in cotton, maize and other spring crops. It causes problems at harvest due to it climbing on the crop. In Türkiye, I. hederacea has recently been recorded as a problematic species along with I. purpurea and I. triloba. These species are reported from agricultural areas where they have the potential of negatively impacting yields of cotton, eggplant, peanut, soybean, maize, pomegranate and citrus.
Table 1. Ipomoea species in Greece, Türkiye and Iran
Species/country | Status | Year of introduction | Habitat |
Greece | |||
Ipomoea batatas | Transient | >1962 | Agricultural |
Ipomoea hederacea | Established | 1994 | Ruderal/Agricultural |
Ipomoea indica | Established | 1972 | Ruderal/Agricultural |
Ipomoea purpurea | Established | 1986 | Ruderal/Agricultural |
Türkiye | |||
Ipomoea batatas | Transient | 1900 | Ruderal/Agricultural |
Ipomoea coccinea | Established | 2016 | Ruderal/Agricultural |
Ipomoea hederacea | Established | 1999 | Ruderal/Agricultural |
Ipomoea hederifolia | Established | 2016 | Agricultural |
Ipomoea indica | Established | 2018 | Ruderal |
Ipomoea lobata | Transient | 2023 | Ruderal |
Ipomoea nil | Established | Unknown | Unknown |
Ipomoea purpurea | Established | 1918 | Ruderal/Agricultural |
Ipomoea tricolor | Established | 2016 | Ruderal/Agricultural |
Ipomoea triloba | Established | 2000 | Natural habitats |
Iran | |||
Ipomoea batatas | Transient | 1970-1980 | Ruderal/Agricultural |
Ipomoea cairica | Established | 2002 | Agricultural |
Ipomoea carnea | Established | 2002 | Agricultural |
Ipomoea coccinea | Transient | 2020 | Agricultural |
Ipomoea hederacea | Invasive | 2010 | Ruderal/Agricultural |
Ipomoea indica | Invasive | 2019 | Forest/Agricultural |
Ipomoea lacunosa | Established | 2018 | Ruderal/Agricultural |
Ipomoea x leucantha | Established | 2010 | Ruderal/Agricultural |
Ipomoea purpurea | Established | 1949 | Ruderal/Agricultural |
Ipomoea tricolor | Transient | 2010 | Agricultural |
Ipomoea triloba | Established | 2008 | Agricultural |
Sources
Sohrabi S, Yazlik A, Bazos I, Gherekhloo J, Kati V, Kitiş YE, Arianoutsou M, Kortz A, Pyšek P (2025) Alien species of Ipomoea in Greece, Türkiye and Iran: distribution, impacts and management. NeoBiota 97, 135-160. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.97.131827