Morning-glory
Merremia palmata
Family: Convolvulaceae
What it is like
A creeping herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It can lie along the ground or be twining. It can be 2.5 m long. It has a taproot. The leaves have leaflets in a ring spread out like fingers on a hand. The flowers are pale yellow with a red centre. They are funnel shaped and 2-3 cm long. The often occur singly in the axils of the leaves. The fruit is an oval capsule. There are 4 seeds.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It grows in places with a marked dry season. It grows in well-drained sands and clays. It grows between 120-1,450 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Asia, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, India, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The leaves are cooked and eaten. The water is changed several times to remove the sour taste. The roots are chewed raw for their water.
Edible parts
Leaves, roots
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Babi, Glora, Manyimba