Ipomoea digitata

Family: Convolvulaceae

What it is like

A creeping plant with tuberous roots. The plant is smooth and without hairs. The stem is thick and tough. It has branches 5-10 m long. The leaves are divided like fingers on a hand with 5-7 lobes. These are broadly oval or round. The leaf can be 10-28 cm across. The leaf stalk is 5-18 cm long. The flower stalks are 15-25 cm long with a clump of flowers at the end. There can be 5-10 flowers. These are red. The seed are covered with matted fine hairs. Probably now Ipomoea cheirophylla.

There are about 500 Ipomoea species. It has been used in medicine. Probably in a hot house in Slovenia.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows naturally on sand behind the beach edge. It also often grows along fences in the sunlight.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Chuuk, Dominican Republic, FSM, Haiti, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The tubers are eaten like sweet potato. The leaves can be cooked and eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, tubers, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Akar kangkong laut, Akar keremak, Akar lanar, Akar lunar, Bhuchakragadda, Bhuikobola, Bhuinkoharu, Bhumichekrigadde, Bhumikashmanda, Bhumikumra, Bilaikand, Buja-gumbala, Cam set, Keledek hutan, Mutalakkanta, Pak-boong-rua, Palmudangi, Palmutakku, Phak-bung-rua, Vidari, Vidarikand

Synonyms

Now Ipomoea mauritiana or at least confused with it in Australia. Ipomoea angustifolia C.B.Clarke; Ipomoea paniculata R.Br. non Burm.;