Wild potato vine, Bigroot, Morning-Glory
Ipomoea pandurata
Family: Convolvulaceae
What it is like
A low trailing vine. It grows 1-4 m long. The branched stem is usually purple. It grows from a large, deep tuberous root. The root is slightly milky. The leaves are heart shaped and entire with a pointed tip. They are 3-8 cm long by 1-7 cm wide. The flowers are funnel shaped and white or purple. They are 5-8 cm across. The fruit are capsules 1 cm long. They contain 2 chambers.
There are about 500 Ipomoea species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in dry soil, in fields, roadsides and fence rows. It suits hardiness zones 6-9.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The young roots can be baked or boiled. If the roots are bitter they should be boiled in several changes of water.
Edible parts
Roots, tubers
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds or by cuttings or root tubers.
The root tuber can be 9 kg.