Ipomoea cairica

Simões, A. R., Silva, H. & Silveira, P., 2011, The Convolvulaceae of Timor with special reference to East Timor, Blumea 56 (1), pp. 49-72 : 58-59

6. Ipomoea cairica (L.) Sweet — Map 8

Ipomoea cairica (L.) Sweet (1827) 287;Ooststr.(in Ooststr.& Hoogland 1953) 478.

Convolvulus cairicus L. (1759) 922.

Distribution — South America, Africa, Southwest Asia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, Nepal, China, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, Pacific Islands, Japan (Ryukyu Islands) ( Fang & Staples 1995). Also in East Timor.

Habitat & Ecology — In thickets, roadsides, waste places, cultivated areas, sunny meadows in lowlands ( Fang & Staples 1995). A specimen from East Timor was found at 400 m.

Uses — The whole plant is used for treating external infections ( Fang & Staples 1995). Compounds with antiviral activity (namely anti-HIV) can be extracted from this plant ( Mathée et al. 1999).

Figures

Map 8 Distribution of Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. ($), I. cairica (L.) Sweet (5), I. carnea Jacq. subsp. fistulosa (Mart. ex Choisy) D.F.Austin (:), I. decais­ nei Ooststr. (-) and I. hederifolia L. (0).