Bidara upas
Decalobanthus mammosus

Family: Convolvulaceae

What it is like

A twining herb. It grows 3-6 m long. It has long tubers 10-25 cm long. The plant has a white milky juice. The plant has annual stems. The leaves are broadly oval. The leaves are broadly oval and 6-12 cm long by 5-12 cm wide. The base is heart shaped. The flowers occur as 1-3 together. They are funnel shaped. The seeds are 8 mm long.

There are about 80 Merremia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Bangladesh, India, French Polynesia, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Tahiti, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The tubers are eaten.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Roots, tubers, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Abouana, Angcoa, Blanar, Hailale, Umarra, Widara upas

Synonyms

Convolvulus chrysorrhizus Schrad. ex Steud.; Convolvulus mammosus Lour.; Ipomoea gomezii Clarke; Ipomoea mammosa (Lour.) Choisy; Merremia mammosa (Lour.) Hallier f.;