Ipomoea pandurata | |
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Ipomoea pandurata in bloom | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Asterids |
Order: | Solanales |
Family: | Convolvulaceae |
Genus: | Ipomoea |
Species: | I. pandurata |
Binomial name | |
Ipomoea pandurata (L.) G.F.W.Mey. |
Ipomoea pandurata the Wild Potato Vine, Big-rooted Morning Glory or Man-of-the-Earth is a species of herbaceous perennial vine. Another common name is "manroot", but that typically refers to the quite unrelated gourd genus Marah.
It is rarely cultivated but grows wild in North America appearing along roadsides, in fields and along fence rows. It sustains itself over the winter with a tuberous root similar to its better known relative, the Sweet Potato (I. batatas).
Contents |
The plant is a "trailing vine" with "singly attached heart shaped leaves" and white bell shaped flowers,(2-4 inches, or 5-10 centimeters in size) which have pink to purple centers. The root is "large, vertical, [and] deeply buried"
The tuber can be baked or boiled like a potato. The taste can be described as a sweet potato that is somewhat bitter. Caution should be taken as some roots have more of a bitter taste than others and ought to be boiled in "several changes of water."
The roots when left uncooked have purgative properties[1].
Media related to Ipomoea pandurata at Wikimedia Commons Data related to Ipomoea pandurata at Wikispecies