Wild Potato Vine, Man of the earth

Ipomoea pandurata

Physical Characteristics

Ipomoea pandurata is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 3.5 m (11ft 6in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Eastern N. America - Connecticut to Florida, west to Texas, Kansas and Michigan.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Edible Uses: Root - cooked[85]. The young ones are best[62], they become very acrid as they get old[4]. The roots can be up to 75cm long and 12cm in diameter[4, 207] and can weigh 7 kilos[207]. Roots weighing 10 kilos or more are not unknown[274]. They are best if given a long roasting[95]. Roasted roots taste like sweet potato but with some bitterness[207].

Medicinal Uses

Cathartic Diuretic Expectorant A poultice of the root is applied to aching joints in the treatment of rheumatism[222, 257]. A tea made from the dried root is diuretic, expectorant and laxative[4, 222, 257]. It has been used in the treatment of strangury and calculus diseases, abdominal pains etc[257]. It also slightly influences the lungs, liver and kidneys without excessive diuresis or catharsis[4, 257]. Caution should be employed because the plant can be strongly laxative[21].

Known Hazards

There is a report that the root could be poisonous[274].