Morning glory
Ipomoea papilio
Family: Convolvulaceae
What it is like
A herb that keeps growing from year to year. The stems are 3 m long. They are hairy when young. The leaf blade is heart shaped or kidney shaped and 2-7 cm long by 2-7 cm wide. It tapers to the tip. There can be lobes at the base. The flowers are in groups of 1-5. They are funnel shaped and have slight spreading wings. They are light red or purple. The fruit capsule is round. The seeds are brown.
Where it is found
It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in woodland and grassland. It grows from 900-1,400 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The young leaves are cooked as a spinach.
Edible parts
Leaves