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Ipomoea pandurata - (L.)G.Mey.

Common Name Wild Potato Vine, Man of the earth
Family Convolvulaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards There is a report that the root could be poisonous[274].
Habitats Fields, hedgerows and roadsides in dry open or partially shaded areas[43, 62].
Range Eastern N. America - Connecticut to Florida, west to Texas, Kansas and Michigan.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Ipomoea pandurata Wild Potato Vine, Man of the earth


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:IvanTortuga
Ipomoea pandurata Wild Potato Vine, Man of the earth
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dbarronoss/

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Ipomoea pandurata is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 3.5 m (11ft 6in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Convulvulus candicans. C. panduratus.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - cooked[85]. The young ones are best[62], they become very acrid as they get old[4]. The roots can be up to 75cm long and 12cm in diameter[4, 207] and can weigh 7 kilos[207]. Roots weighing 10 kilos or more are not unknown[274]. They are best if given a long roasting[95]. Roasted roots taste like sweet potato but with some bitterness[207].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Cathartic  Diuretic  Expectorant

A poultice of the root is applied to aching joints in the treatment of rheumatism[222, 257]. A tea made from the dried root is diuretic, expectorant and laxative[4, 222, 257]. It has been used in the treatment of strangury and calculus diseases, abdominal pains etc[257]. It also slightly influences the lungs, liver and kidneys without excessive diuresis or catharsis[4, 257]. Caution should be employed because the plant can be strongly laxative[21].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Repellent

An infusion of the plant has been used for soaking sweet potatoes in order to keep away bugs and moles[257].

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a rich well-drained loam in a warm sunny position[200]. The hardiest member of the genus, it tolerates frozen soil and should survive winter temperatures down to at least -10°c[260]. A climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around the branches of other plants[219]. A very ornamental plant[1]. This species has become a troublesome weed in many warm countries and is difficult to eradicate because of its deep root[219]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. Growth habit is a single or multiple shooting vine from a crown [1-2]. Herbaceous. The root pattern is a tap root similar to a carrot going directly down [1-2]. The root pattern is tuberous with swollen potato-like roots [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water, or scarify the seed, and sow in individual pots in a greenhouse in early spring. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 weeks at 22°c. Plants are extremely resentful of root disturbance, even when they are quite small, and should be potted up almost as soon as they germinate[219]. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter then plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of side shoots in a peaty soil. Layering.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Ipomoea albaMoonflower, Tropical white morning-gloryPerennial Climber10.0 7-10 FLMNM210
Ipomoea aquaticaKangkong, Swamp Morning GloryAnnual/Perennial0.5 10-12 FLMHNMWeWa422
Ipomoea batatasSweet Potato, Black Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato VinePerennial Climber3.0 10-12 FLMNM503
Ipomoea jalapaJalapClimber3.0 -  LMHSNM03 
Ipomoea leptophyllaBush Moon FlowerPerennial1.2 8-11  LMHNM321
Ipomoea nilJapanese Morning Glory, Whiteedge morning-gloryAnnual5.0 8-11 FLMHNM02 
Ipomoea purpureaCommon Morning Glory, Tall morning-gloryAnnual Climber2.5 6-9 FLMHNM020
Ipomoea sagittataSaltmarsh Morning Glory, Saltmarsh morning-glory 0.0 0-0  LMHSNM01 
Ipomoea tricolorMorning Glory, GrannyvinePerennial Climber5.0 10-11 FLMHNM01 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(L.)G.Mey.

Botanical References

43200274

Links / References

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