Mode of Reproduction and Inheritance of Leaf Shape inIpomoea hederacea

Two distinctive leaf forms have been described in the morningglory speciesIpomoea hederacea(L.) Jacq. These are identified as ivyleaf morningglory [I. hederacea(L.) Jacq. # IPOHE] and entireleaf morningglory [I. hederacea(L.) Jacq. var.integriusculaGray # IPOHG]. Controlled matings were made between pure breeding forms of plants with these two leaf types. The first generation progeny (F1) were all ivyleaf and the second generation (F2) was segregated in a 3:1 ratio (ivyleaf to entireleaf). The data fit a single gene model for determination of leaf shape, with ivyleaf being the dominant allele. Despite the dominance of the ivyleaf trait, the abundance of the entireleaf phenotype in the Mississippi Delta was higher than that of ivyleaf.Ipomoea hederaceais a facultative self-pollinator and other annual morningglory species found in the same area are also self-pollinated.