The cotyledons are only shallowly or moderately indented, and the lobes are usually rounded or only slightly pointed. Cotyledons are notched at the base, and are close to square in outline, with only a slight flare outwards. The first true leaf is unlobed. The hairs on the leaves and petioles are erect, or stick straight out. Running along the ground, or more commonly climbing, reaching 10 feet in length.
Stems also have hairs that are erect.
The bases of the flowers are densely hairy. The characteristic leaves of ivyleaf morningglory help to distinguish it from all of the other morningglories at the 'mature' stage of growth. However, identification of morningglories at the cotyledon stage of growth is much more difficult, and often more important. However, the cotyledons of tall morningglory are usually more square in outline when compared to the cotyledons of both ivyleaf and entireleaf morningglory. The cotyledons of both ivyleaf and entireleaf morningglory are nearly identical and usually cannot be distinguished until the second true leaf emerges.