Ipomoea muricata, also called lavender moonvine, is a climbing vine in the genus Ipomoea, the same genus that contains the various morning glory species and sweet potato. It is native to Central America, but now distributed widely across the tropics and subtropics.[1][2][3]
| Ipomoea muricata | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Solanales |
| Family: | Convolvulaceae |
| Genus: | Ipomoea |
| Species: | I. muricata
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| Binomial name | |
| Ipomoea muricata (L.) Jacq., Pl. Hort. Schoenbr.(1798)
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Morphology
editIpomoea muricata is a fast annual climber, with funnel-shaped and white, reddish or lilac flowers, reminiscent of the color of lavender. The stems are twining and muricate. The leaf texture is glabrous, and its shape is ovate or orbicular.[1][2][4][3]
Uses
editThe various parts of the plant are used as food, medicine and poison by the peoples of its native and expanded range.[1] In the Indian state of Kerala, the plant is called clove bean or nithya vazhutana and the swollen peduncles are consumed, typically pan-fried or as a thoran.[4][3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Ipomoea muricata". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Ipomoea muricata (L.) Jacq". www.worldfloraonline.org. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
- ^ a b c "Ipomoea muricata - Purple Moonflower". www.flowersofindia.net. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
- ^ a b Parisa, Divya (May 2019). "Clove Bean (Ipomoea muricata): A Popular Vegetable of Kerala". Kerala Karshakan E-Journal, Farm Information Bureau/ICAR/CPRS/IARI – via Researchgate.