Kangkong bulu
Ipomoea triloba

Family: Convolvulaceae

What it is like

A creeping and twining herb. It has milky sap. The leaves can be entire or have 3 lobes. The leaf stalks are long. The flowers occur in small clusters in the axils of leaves. The flower is funnel shaped and pink or purple. The fruit is a capsule which opens by 4 valves. There are 4 seeds inside. The seed are 3.5 cm across. They have a smooth dull surface. They are mottled black.

There are about 500 Ipomoea species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows naturally along roadsides and hedges.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Central America, China, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Hawaii, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan (Ryukyu Islands), Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, New Caledonia, New Guinea, North America, Pacific, Pan tropical, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South America, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin), West Timor

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked mixed with other vegetables.

Edible parts

Leaves, tuber, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bejuco de huajave, Camote, Congu, Illay, Injen-injenhan, Kamo-kamote, Ki papesan, Malingan, Shan lie ye shu, Tingkil

Synonyms

Batatas triloba (Linnaeus) Choisy; Convolvulus trilobus (Linnaeus) Desrousseaux; Ipomoea blancoi Choisy; Ipomoea obscura Ridley;