A new alien species record for the Flora of Türkiye: Ipomoea indica (Burm.) Merr. (Convolvulaceae)

Ipomoea indica (Burm.) Merr. is an invasive species with a wide distribution in tropical and subtropical regions and its natural habitat is South America. I. indica, which is a new record for the flora of Turkiye, was collected and photographed on 27 June 2022 from Alanya-İncekum. Additionally, the species was observed and photographed in Izmir-Foça, Manavgat-Çenger and Muğla-Bodrum in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions of Türkiye between 27 June 2022 and 02 July 2023. Alanya-İncekum, İzmir-Foça, Manavgat-Çenger and Muğla-Bodrum and taxonomically described. Although this species is morphologically similar to I. purpurea and I. tricolor, I. purpurea differs from I. indica in having smaller flowers (4-6 cm.), shorter sepals (1.1-1.6 cm.) with hirsute surfaces and predominantly unlobed leaves. Similarly, I. tricolor differs from I. indica by having smaller flowers (3.5-6 cm) and sepals that are glabrous, have scarious margins and shorter (6-7 mm). The spread of I. indica, which has the potential to exhibit invasive behavior, risks putting pressure on native plant species and the ecosystem. Therefore, it is important to conduct additional studies to understand the impacts of alien species and determine management strategies.