Ipomoea sepiaria

Family: Convolvulaceae

What it is like

A creeping herb. It has several stems from a woody tuberous rootstock. It usually keeps growing from year to year. The stems are yellow-brown and have ridges along them. The leaf shape varies and can be oval, heart shaped or sword shaped. They are 1-12 cm long and 1-9 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 1-4 cm long. There are many flowers in dense groups. They are tube shaped and 2-6 cm long. They are white with a purple or red centre. The fruit is a round capsule 6-7 mm across. The seeds are 3 sided and 3 mm wide.

There are about 500 Ipomoea species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in grassland between 760-1,220 m above sea level. It can grow down to sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andaman Is, Angola, Asia, Australia, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, SE Asia, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Taiwan, Tanzania, West Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are fried and eaten. They are also eaten fresh.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ban-kamli, Houre housso, Korla kura, Thalikkerai, Tole

Synonyms

Ipomoea maxima (L.f.) G.Don ex Sw.; Check