Ipomoea indica

Native to tropical and subtropical America, this plant is a vigorous twining perennial vine cultivated widely for its blue to purple-blue funnel-shaped flowers. Its heart-shaped or three-lobed leaves have hairy undersides, and flowers are borne in clusters. Stems can root where they touch the ground, and broken stem pieces can establish new plants. This growth helps it spread beyond cultivation: in New Zealand it is recognised as an environmental weed. In Colombia, it occurs naturally and is also cultivated. Photographed in the central Andes mountain range of Colombia.