Ipomoea triloba
L.
Convolvulaceae
Batatas triloba (L.) Choisy
Convolvulus heterophyllus Sessé & Moc.
Convolvulus trilobus (L.) Desr.
Ipomoea blancoi Choisy
Ipomoea confertiflora Standl.
Ipomoea eustachiana Jacq.
Ipomoea galapagensis Andersson
Common Name:
General Information
Ipomoea triloba is an annual plant with stems that can be 1 - 3 metres long. The stems scramble over the ground or twine into other plants for support[
310- Title
- Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://proseanet.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
,
332- Title
- The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Burkil. H. M.
- Publisher
- Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
- Year
- 1985 - 2004
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
].
The leaves are said to be frequently harvested from the wild and used as a vegetable in Benin, west Africa, where they are also said to be sold sometimes in local markets. However, for such a widely spread plant it is surprising that we have seen no other reports of edibility from other areas[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. The plant also has minor medicinal uses.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
Originally native to the Caribbean, it is now a pantropical weed.
Habitat
Grassland, thickets, hedges, waste places, savannah forests, along roadsides, and occasionally on sandy beaches, at elevations from sea-level to 750 metres[
310- Title
- Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://proseanet.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
Properties
| Weed Potential | Yes |
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Annual Climber |
| Height | 1.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Originally from the Caribbean, the plant has spread to become a pantropical weed. Although a fairly small plant, because of its creeping, twining habit it can overwhelm other vegetation in farmer's fields and in natural areas[
].
Plants can flower all year round[
310- Title
- Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://proseanet.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
Edible Uses
Leaves - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[
617- Title
- Traditional Vegetables in Benin
- Publication
-
- Author
- Achigan-Dako E. Et al
- Publisher
- Darwin Initiative; International Foundation for Science
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Issued as a PDF on the Internet, it contains basic information on over 250 species of plants used for food in Benin.
].
Medicinal
The plant is used as a poultice in the treatment against headaches[
310- Title
- Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://proseanet.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
A decoction of the leaves is used as a treatment against stomach ache[
617- Title
- Traditional Vegetables in Benin
- Publication
-
- Author
- Achigan-Dako E. Et al
- Publisher
- Darwin Initiative; International Foundation for Science
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Issued as a PDF on the Internet, it contains basic information on over 250 species of plants used for food in Benin.
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
