Merremia tuberosa
(L.) Rendle
Convolvulaceae
Batatas tuberosa (L.) Bojer
Convolvulus gossypifolius Kunth
Convolvulus kentrocaulos Steud. ex Hallier f.
Convolvulus macrocarpus Spreng.
Convolvulus paniculatus Blanco
Convolvulus tuberosus (L.) Spreng.
Ipomoea glaziovii Dammer
Ipomoea mendesii Welw.
Ipomoea nuda Peter
Ipomoea tuberosa L.
Operculina tuberosa (L.) Meisn.
Common Name:
General Information
Merremia tuberosa is a perennial climbing plant with robust, twining stems 3 - 5 metres long growing from a large underground tuber. The stems become more or less woody, especially near the base[
451- Title
- Flora Malesiana Series 1
- Publication
-
- Author
- Various
- Website
- http://www.archive.org
- Publisher
- Nationaal Herbarium Nederiand, Universiteit Leiden branch
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A massive treatment of the plants of the Malaysian Archipelago. Much of it has been made available to download from the Internet
,
974- Title
- Encyclopedia of Tropical Plants - Identification and Cultivation of over 3,000 Tropical Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ahmed Fayaz
- Publisher
- Firefly Books Ltd.; New Zealand
- Year
- 2011
- ISBN
- 978-1-55407-489
- Description
- A good photograph and terse but detailed information for over 3,000 species of tropical plants. An excellent reference.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is often grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its flowers and attractive dried fruits, whilst in India and Malesia it is also cultivated for its medicinal benefits. The woody fruits are used in flower arrangements in Europe[
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.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
451- Title
- Flora Malesiana Series 1
- Publication
-
- Author
- Various
- Website
- http://www.archive.org
- Publisher
- Nationaal Herbarium Nederiand, Universiteit Leiden branch
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A massive treatment of the plants of the Malaysian Archipelago. Much of it has been made available to download from the Internet
Range
S. America - northern Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana; C. America - Panama to Mexico; Caribbean - Dominican Republic to the Bahamas
Habitat
Naturalized in Australia where it grows on the margins of lowland rainforest at elevations up to 300 metres[
713- Title
- Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/cd-keys/rfk/index.html
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An online resource giving botanical information, and a little bit about plant usage, for over 2,700 species of plants found in the Australian rainforest.
].
Properties
| Weed Potential | Yes |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Climber |
| Height | 4.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Grows best in a sunny position, preferring a well-drained soil[
974- Title
- Encyclopedia of Tropical Plants - Identification and Cultivation of over 3,000 Tropical Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ahmed Fayaz
- Publisher
- Firefly Books Ltd.; New Zealand
- Year
- 2011
- ISBN
- 978-1-55407-489
- Description
- A good photograph and terse but detailed information for over 3,000 species of tropical plants. An excellent reference.
].
The plant has escaped from cultivation and become naturalized. The twining stems can climb high into the surrounding vegetation, smothering even tall forest canopies[
,
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
None known
Medicinal
The tuber is used as a drastic purgative[
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.
].
The plant has hallucinogenic properties[
713- Title
- Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/cd-keys/rfk/index.html
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An online resource giving botanical information, and a little bit about plant usage, for over 2,700 species of plants found in the Australian rainforest.
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed - it can remain viable in the soil for many years[
].
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.
