Northern Beaches FloraBaby Sun Rose Blowfly Grass (Briza maxima) Bottlebrushes Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica) Cyathea cooperi Grevillea ‘Peaches and Cream’ Grevillea Poorinda Royal Mantle Native Violet Norfolk Pine Ochna Pigface Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) Scurvy Weed Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) Spiny-headed Mat-rush

The Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea cairica), is also known as Mile-a-minute is considered a weed, being a vigorous climber and known to smothers shrubs and trees, restricting their growth.

Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW

Their flowers are violet or purple and have lobed leaves.

Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW

It is believed to originate from Cape Verde to the Arabian Peninsula, Africa and the Mediterranean. It has now spread across most continents as an introduced species, becoming an invasive species across the world, including the coast of New South Wales (where these photos were taken).

The Coastal Morning Glory has been found along the coast of NSW in the North Coast, Hunter, Greater Sydney and South East regions.

Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW — click image to view full screen

Following is a fly that was most likely feeding from the centre of the flower, before turning to face the camera.

Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), Northern Beaches NSW
Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica) with fly, Northern Beaches NSW — click image to view full screen

Footnote & References

  1. Scientific NameL Ipomoea indica (Burm.) Merr., Weeds of Australia, https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/ipomoea_indica.htm
  2. Ipomoea cairica, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ipomoea_cairica

Northern Beaches FloraBaby Sun Rose Blowfly Grass (Briza maxima) Bottlebrushes Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica) Cyathea cooperi Grevillea ‘Peaches and Cream’ Grevillea Poorinda Royal Mantle Native Violet Norfolk Pine Ochna Pigface Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) Scurvy Weed Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) Spiny-headed Mat-rush

Northern BeachesNorthern Beaches Fauna Northern Beaches Flora

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