Talk:Ipomoea × multifida

Ipomoea x multifida is a diploid that is almost completely sterile and only 1 in approx. 40,000 to 200,000 fertilized ovules will produce a tertraploid and fertile seed.

So, what people are buying seeds of, germinating , and growing is the tetraploid Ipomoea sloteri as the diploid Ipomoea x multifida (except in the very rarest cases) produces sterile seeds.

Read the relevant literature cited in the ARS-GRIN entry for both Ipomoea x multifida and Ipomoea sloteri for a convincing understanding.

Ipomoea sloteri http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?402182

Ipomoea × multifida auct. mult. = Ipomoea sloteri http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?427063

Ipomoea × multifida (Raf.) Shinners http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?402181

Eckenwalder, J. E. 1986. Nomenclature of the cardinal climber (Convolvulaceae) reconsidered. Taxon 35:169–170. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.80.251.196 (talk) 06:05, 21 February 2013 (UTC)