Scientific Name
Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Roth
Synonyms
Family
Convolvulaceae
Local Name
Eri, Kala Dana
Habit Habitat
An annual twiner herb common in sub-tropical and temperate zones.
Taxonomic Features
Leaves simple, ovate-chordate, 4-12 cm long, with long petiole, entire or trilobate, hairy on both sides. Inflorescence a cyme, 1-5 flowered. Flower actinomorphic, bell shaped. Sepals oblong-lanceolate. Corolla purple, pink, blue orwith stripes of these colours on a white background, throat white. Fruit a capsule, globose, 10mm long. Seed pear shaped, glabrous, black.
Flowering Fruiting
July- October
Harvesting Time
July-October
Medicinal Value
It has purgative properties, expels worms and treats constipation, promotes menstruation, poisonous in high doses. Locally paste of seed is used for leucoderma and internally powder with sugar is given in rheumatism, dropsy and epilepsy.
Parts Used
Seed.
Future Prospective
Conservation, cultivation, herbal pharmacy.
Plant Images
Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Roth