Japanese Morning Glory, Whiteedge morning-glory
Ipomoea nil

Family: Convolvulaceae

What it is like

Ipomoea nil is a ANNUAL growing to 5 m (16ft 5in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 5

Where it is found

Thickets on mountain slopes, waysides, fields and hedges from sea level to 1600 metres in China.

Pantropical.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

The seed is anthelmintic, anticholinergic, antifungal, antispasmodic, antitumour, diuretic and laxative. It is used in the treatment of oedema, oliguria, ascariasis and constipation. The seed is also used as a contraceptive in Korea. The seed contains small quantities of the hallucinogen LSD. This has been used medicinally in the treatment of various mental disorders. The pounded plant is used as a hair wash to rid the hair of lice.

Anthelmintic: Expels parasites from the gut.

Antifungal: An agent that inhibits or destroys fungi. Used in the treatment of various fungal problems such as candida.

Antispasmodic: Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.

Antitumor: Preventing, or effective against, tumors, it is used in the treatment of cancer. Probably synonymous with Cytotoxic.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Hallucinogenic: Causes the mind to hallucinate.

Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.

Parasiticide: Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in

Other

Rating:

Parasiticide: Kills external body parasites such as hair lice.

How it is grown

Requires a fertile well-drained loam in a sunny position. The plant is not frost hardy, but can be grown outdoors as a tender annual in temperate zones. A very ornamental plant, there are several named varieties. Closely related to I. purpurea.

Propagating it: Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water, or scarify the seed, and sow in individual pots in a greenhouse in early spring. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 weeks at 22°c. Plants are extremely resentful of root disturbance, even when they are quite small, and should be potted up almost as soon as they germinate. Grow them on fast in the greenhouse and plant them out into their permanent positions after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection such as a cloche until they are growing away actively.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness: 8-11

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Pharbitis nil