Ipomoea hochstetteri

Family: Convolvulaceae

What it is like

A climbing herb. It is an annual plant. It grows 3 m long. The leaf blade is round and divided into lobes like fingers on a hand. There are 5 lobes. The outer lobes are often divided again. The leaf is up to 13 cm long by 12 cm wide. There are 1-6 flowers in a group. They are funnel shaped and white or mauve. The fruit is a round capsule. The seeds are oval and flattened and dark brown.

There are about 500 Ipomoea species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in sandy soils between 930-1,372 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Ipomoea kwebensis N. E. Br.; Ipomoea quinquefolia var. albiflora Hallier. f.;