Fongaar
Ipomoea violacea

Family: Convolvulaceae

What it is like

A tuberous rooted vine with large round leaves. It is a vigorous climber reaching 4-5 m high. The vine is irregular in cross section. The leaves are large and rounded. They are 9-15 cm across. The leaf stalk is 6-12 cm long. The flowers can occur as one or several together. The sepals become large and fleshy in the fruit. The capsule is a large dry one with a fleshy lid and has 4 or less black seeds inside. The seeds are 8 mm long by 12 mm wide.

There are about 500 Ipomoea species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs at low altitudes probably up to 1300 m. It is a plant of the drier open woodland areas. It grows naturally near the beach.

Countries/locations it is found in

Anguilla, Asia, Australia, Dominican Republic, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Hawaii, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Mexico, Micronesia, North America, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, West Indies, West Timor

How it is used for food

The fleshy root is cooked and eaten like a yam.

In Papua New Guinea, a moderately important root crop grown in yam gardens in the Morehead area. Cultivated.

Edible parts

Roots, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from top pieces of the fleshy root. They need a trellis or tree for the long vines to climb over. The tubers are harvested when the leaves die back.

The tuber is reported to be able to be stored.

Its other names

Local names

Andaapool, Fue, Hangar

Synonyms

Calonyction grandiflorum (Jacq.) Choisy; Calonyction jacquinii G. Don; Calonyction tuba (Schltdl.) Colla; Convolvulus grandiflorus Jacq.; Convolvulus tuba Schltdl.; Ipomoea glaberrima Bojer ex Hook.; Ipomoea gandiflora (Jacq.) Hallier f.; Ipomoea longiflora R. Br.; Ipomoea macrantha Roem. & Schult.; Ipomoea tuba (Schltdl.) G. Don;