Bloomipedia
Trans-Pecos morning-glory (Ipomoea cristulata)
Photo: Lynn Harper via iNaturalist · CC0 · resized

Flower profile

Trans-Pecos morning-glory

Ipomoea cristulata

Trans-Pecos morning-glory (Ipomoea cristulata) is a vine in the Convolvulaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly August–October across the U.S.

Native to Arizona

Trans-Pecos morning-glory is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Arizona it's most often seen in bloom in August–November.

7states where USDA records it
1,230AZ sightings*
1,865U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Arizona

Quick look

  • It belongs to the Convolvulaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) / a vine with a annual life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 7 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Arizona. NatureServe
  • In Arizona, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in August–November. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,230 research-grade sightings of it in Arizona, ranking #80 among the 132 flowers on our Arizona list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Arizona, most flowering sightings come in August–November.

Flowering records by month in Arizona (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (134 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G4 Apparently secure worldwide. NatureServe
Arizona
Not listed Not on Arizona Native Plant Law protected plants (Ariz. Admin. Code R3-3 Art. 11, App. A, eff. Feb. 2, 2025). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Arizona. AAC R3-3 App. A
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: CO (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Morning Glory” (Ipomoea spp), which covers the whole genus, lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Vomiting, large amounts of seeds may cause… ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records trans-Pecos morning-glory in 7 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, New Mexico, South Carolina, Texas.

Arizona counties with USDA records: Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai, Yuma.

Names, range and relatives

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 28 counties across 5 states; the most are in Arizona (15), New Mexico (6), Texas (4).

Other Ipomoea on Bloomipedia (7): Tievine, Wild potato vine, Beach morning glory, Oceanblue morning glory, Beach morning-glory, Bush morning-glory, Obscure morning glory.

More from the Convolvulaceae family (12 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Field bindweed, Texas bindweed, Carolina ponysfoot, Hairy cluster-vine, Pāʻū o Hiʻiaka.

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Sources