Ipomoea sinensis subsp. blepharosepala

Family: Convolvulaceae

What it is like

A herb or creeper. It keeps growing from year to year. It puts up annual shoots several metres long. These are twining or trailing. The leaves are light green. They are 4 cm long by 2 cm wide. The base is deeply lobed and it tapers to the tip. The flowers are white with a pink centre. They can occur singly or in clusters.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows on alluvial soils, sands and loams. It can grow in seasonally waterlogged soils. It grows between 5-1,450 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Arabia, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, Saudi Arabia, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten raw or cooked. If cooked the water is changed to remove the strong sour taste.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ijalambu, Kokorokadee, Menhoca-nhocani, Nakatombo, Okashila konoka, Umdzandzabuka

Synonyms

Ipomoea blepharosepala Hochst. ex A. Rich.; Ipomoea cardiosepala Hochst. ex Baker & C. H. Wright;