Native Woodrose, Climbing Morning Glory
Ipomoea macrantha

Family: Convolvulaceae

What it is like

A vigorous climber. The stems twine around objects. The stems come from a thick root tuber. The leaves are 6-12 cm across 4-10 cm wide. They are oval or heart shaped. They can have lobes on the leaf. The leaf stalk is 1-4 cm long. The leaves are dark green and leathery. Between 1-3 flowers occur together in the axils of leaves. The flowers are 6-8 cm across and white. They have a tubular base. The flowers open at night and close next morning. The seed capsule is 3-5 cm across and oval. It is leathery and splits open when mature. The seeds are large and hairy.

There are about 500 Ipomoea species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is more common in coastal districts. It needs a well drained soil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, America, American Samoa, Asia, Australia, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, East Timor, Fiji, Indonesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Rotuma, SE Asia, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu

How it is used for food

The tubers are eaten cooked.

It is used as food in Northern Australia and grown in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea in yam gardens.

Edible parts

Roots, tubers

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed, cuttings or the tops of tubers.

Its other names

Local names

Afaamach, Fue, Marlap, Marpe-e

Synonyms

Ipomoea tuba D. Don.; Ipomoea longiflora R.Br.;