Ipomoea oenotherae

Family: Convolvulaceae

What it is like

A small spreading herb. It grows 15 cm high. It has a small carrot like tuber. This is 8 cm long by 2 cm wide. There are several stems from the top of the tuber. These are weak and thin and usually lie along the ground. The young early leaves point upwards and have a few lobes along the side. They can be 6 cm long by 1 cm wide. Older leaves are smaller and have deep lobes. The flowers are purple or pink. They open in the morning. The fruit are small, round capsules. The seeds are light brown and only a few occur.

There are about 500 Ipomoea species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Kenya it grows between 1,000-2,400 m altitude. In Zimbabwe it grows between 1,000-1,580 m above sea level. It is in open grassland on well-drained soils that are rather damp. It grows in areas with a rainfall between 650-1,200 mm per year. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The tuberous root is eaten. It is peeled and eaten raw.

It is eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Root, tuber

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds or tubers. Seeds are planted shallowly and germinate in a few days.

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