Narrow-leaved pink ipomoea
Ipomoea bolusiana

Family: Convolvulaceae

What it is like

A herb. The branches are trailing. They have leaves spaced along them. These have erect flowering shoots along them. The leaf blade is divided into 3 narrow lobes up to 6 cm long by 3 cm wide. The central lobe is the longest. The flowers are erect. They are funnel shaped and 4 cm long and 4 cm wide at the mouth. The are pink or purple. It has a fattened tuber about 15 cm wide.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. In Swaziland it is only in the low veld. It grows between sea level and 1,525 m above sea level. It grows in sandy and rocky soils. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The tuberous root is eaten raw. It is scraped and the moisture squeezed into the mouth. It can also be roasted and eaten.

Edible parts

Root, tuber

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Etoni rombwa, Katungoloma, Otinakwi, Seakhoe

Synonyms

Ipomoea angustisecta Engl.; Ipomoea praetermissa Rendle; Ipomoea simplex Thunb. var. obtusisepala Rendle; Ipomoea mesenterioides Hallier f.; Ipomoea simplex non Thunb.;