Ipomoea fistulosa

Family: Convolvulaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 3 m tall. The twigs have white sap. The leaves are alternate and simple. The leaves are heart shaped. The flowers are 10 cm across. They are white to violet. They are in groups. The fruit are 18 mm long. They have 4 hairy seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in mid altitudes along rivers and it can be near the beach. It grows in open places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Antigua and Barbuda, Asia, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nauru, North America, Pacific, Paraguay, Rotuma, SE Asia, USA, West Africa

How it is used for food

The flowers are cooked as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Nihuto

Synonyms

Batatas crassicualis Benth.; Convolvulus batatilla Kunth; Ipomoea batatilla (Kunth) G. Don; Ipomoea carnea forma albiflora Moldenke; Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa (Mart. ex Choisy) D.F. Austin; Ipomoea crassicaulis (Benth.) B.L. Rob.; Ipomoea fistulosa var. nicaraguensis Donn. Sm.; Ipomoea fruticosa Kuntze; Ipomoea gossypioides Parodi; Ipomoea gossypioides Hort. ex Dammann; Ipomoea nicaraguensis (Donn. Sm.) House; Ipomoea texana J.M. Coult.;