(Ipomoea quamoclit), tropical American twining climber naturalized in southern North America. It has star-shaped scarlet, pink, or white blooms amid deep green, deeply lobed leaves. It is a member of the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae) and is an annual. The closely related star ipomoea (I. coccinea), with crimson flowers and heart-shaped leaves, which grows wild over much the same area, is also an annual.