Ipomoea lapathifolia
Family: Convolvulaceae
What it is like
An erect herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 20-30 cm high. It has a tuberous rootstock. The tubers are like carrots and 10 cm long by 2 cm wide. There is usually only one stem but sometimes two. They are sometimes branched. The leaves are narrow and 10 cm long. The leaf stalks are short. The flowers are funnel shaped and white. There are 1-4 together in the axils of leaves. The fruit is a 4 seeded round capsule. It is green with purple tinges and turns brown.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. In Kenya it grows from sea level to 1,400 m altitude. It is often in seasonally waterlogged places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The tubers are peeled and eaten raw.
It is a commonly used leaf in Mozambique.
Edible parts
Tubers, root, leaves
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds or by tubers.
Its other names
Local names
Kinzola, Nzola