Grass leafed convolvulus, Bush potato
Ipomoea graminea
Family: Convolvulaceae
What it is like
A climbing or trailing plant. It has wiry stems which twine around objects. It has a woody rootstock and re-grows from this each year. The young growth is shiny. The leaves are long and narrow. They are 10-20 cm long by 0.3-0.5 cm wide. The leaf stalks are 1 cm long. The leaves can be light or dark green and can spread out or curve backwards. The veins in the leaf run along the length of the leaf. The flowers are about 5 cm across. The flowers are white and occur alone at the tops of stems in the axils of leaves. The flowers are flimsy and have a tubular base. They open at night and die next morning. The seed capsule is about 1.5 cm across. It is round and smooth. There are 4 seeds which are grey and hairy. The tubers can vary in shape from long to round.
There are about 500 Ipomoea species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. Plants grow in the wet season and die back during the dry season. It needs well drained soil. It can grow in full sun or part shade. It grow in open forest and among grasses. It climbs over other plants.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), Pacific, Papua New Guinea
How it is used for food
The tuber is cooked and eaten.
It is a popular food.
Edible parts
Roots, tuber
How it is grown
It can be grown from seed and will probably also grow from cuttings or tubers.
Its other names
Local names
Anwohmi, Duynga, Lau ula, Munkwarti, Organay, Portari, Wardbirrja, Wurrwa