Morning glory
Ipomoea oblongata

Family: Convolvulaceae

What it is like

A herb. It lies along the ground. It has broad leaves and can be a climber or scrambler. It keeps growing from year to year. The vines are 2 m long. The leaves are on short almost erect stalks. The leaves vary in shape. The edges are wavy with a fringe of hairs. The tuberous root can be 40 cm thick. The flowers usually occur singly on erect stalks. The fruit is a 1-3 seeded capsule.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in hot arid regions. It grows in places with a marked dry season. It can grow in places with a dry season of 6-11 months. It needs well-drained soils. It grows between 245-2,045 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It grows in woodland and grassland on wet and sandy soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The roots or tubers are dried and eaten as a vegetable and also contain useful moisture. Caution: They may be poisonous and can be bitter. The dried crushed tubers have been mixed with milk and boiled in water.

It is often a famine food.

Edible parts

Roots, tubers, caution

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bhogo, Ghoqu, Mothokxo, Ubhogo, Ubhoqo, Ubhuqu

Synonyms

Ipomoea atherstonei Baker; Ipomoea lambtoniana Rendle; Ipomoea randii Rendle; Turbina oblongata (E. Mey. ex Choisy) A. Meeuse;