Ipomoea alba

Simões, A. R., Silva, H. & Silveira, P., 2011, The Convolvulaceae of Timor with special reference to East Timor, Blumea 56 (1), pp. 49-72 : 57-58

2. Ipomoea alba L. — Map 7

Ipomoea alba L. (1753) 161; Ooststr. (in Ooststr. & Hoogland 1953) 480.

Ipomoea bona­nox L. (1762) 228; Fawc. (1885) 511.

Calonyction speciosum Choisy (1834) 441; Decne. (1834) 389; Span. (1841) 338.

Distribution — Circumtropical: originally in tropical America, in Malesia cultivated in gardens and run wild (Van Ooststroom & Hoogland 1953).

Habitat & Ecology — In thickets, hedges, along waysides and edges of forests; widely distributed in the settled areas at low and medium altitudes; cultivated and run wild (Van Ooststroom & Hoogland 1953).

Uses — The whole plant is used for treating snakebite ( Fang & Staples 1995). The young leaves are eaten as a vegetable Heyne in Van Ooststroom & Hoogland 1953); the dried flowers are used in pies and in kimlo (Chinese vegetable soup) (Ochse in Van Ooststroom & Hoogland 1953). It is often cultivated in gardens for its nocturnal, fragrant flowers.

Figures

Map 7 Distribution of Ipomoea aculeata Blume var.mollissima (Zoll.) Hallier f. ex Ooststr. ($), I. alba L. (:) and I. aquatica Forssk. (5).