Ipomoea longituba
Family: Convolvulaceae
What it is like
A herb that can lie along the ground or extend upwards. It has a tuberous rootstock and re-grows from this. The stems are thin and green. The tubers are grey and 40 cm long by 15 cm wide. There can be several tubers from one plant. The leaves are large and oval. The leaves are hairy when young and smooth later. They are folded. The flowers are large and white and at the tips of the branches. They are tube shaped. The fruit turn brown when dry. They burst open to release small hairy seeds.
There are about 500 Ipomoea species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. In Kenya it grows in open grassland between 1,200-2,000 m altitude. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, East Africa, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda
How it is used for food
The root tuber is chewed to quench thirst. They are peeled and eaten. They are slightly sweet. They are also dried.
Edible parts
Root, tuber
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds, the base of stems or from tubers.
It grows quickly. Plants from seeds develop tubers in 6-9 months.
Its other names
Local names
Elacca, Enchilewa, Enchiliwa, Iseembe, Kaptirmam, Kaptirmar, Keptrimur, Loiswasi, Ngoswaki, Viazi