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Ipomoea batatas
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Family:
CONVOLVULACEAE
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Citation: Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam., Encycl. 1: 465. 1791; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 202. 1883; Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 183. 1982; Babu, Fl. Malappuram Dist. 476. 1990; Sivar. & Mathew, Fl. Nilambur 447. 1997; Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 471. 2009; Ratheesh Narayanan, Fl. Stud. Wayanad Dist. 567. 2009.
Convolvulus batatas L., Sp. Pl. 154. 1753.
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Malayalam Name(s):
Cheenikizhangu, Chakkarakizhangu, Kappakizhangu, Madurakizhangu, Mathurakizhangu, Sarkarakizhangu
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Tamil name(s):
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English name(s):
Boniato, Camote, Sweet Potato
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Description:
Vines; the stems usually somewhat succulent but sometimes slender and herbaceous; perennial, glabrous or pubescent. Leaves variable, from cordate to ovate, entire, dentate or often deeply lobed, 5-10 cm long, glabrous or sometimes pubescent. Inflorescences of solitary or few-flowered cymes. Flowers absent in some varieties, if present on pedicels 3-12 mm long; sepals oblong, the outer sepals acuminate and cuspidate, (8-) 10-15 mm long, mostly pubescent or only ciliate; corolla with a lavender to purple-lavender limb and darker throat, white in some varieties, 4-7 cm long. Fruits rarely formed, ovoid, glabrous; seeds rotund, glabrous.
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Habit:
Climber
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Flowering & Fruiting:
December-March
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District(s):
All Districts
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Medicinal:
Yes
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Habitat:
Cultivated
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Distribution:
Probably native of Tropical South America; now widely cultivated throughout the tropics
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Aquatic:
No
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Epiphyte(s):
No
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Saprophyte:
No
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Stem parasite:
No
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Root parasite:
No
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Flower colour(s):
Pink, White, Purple
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Weed:
No
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Monocot/Dicot:
Dicotyledonous Plants
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Exotic:
Yes
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Garden:
No
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Edible:
No
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Vegetable:
Yes
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Endemic to:
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IUCN status:
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Altitude:
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Localities:
Vallikkunnam, Vaniampuzha
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