Author: |
Georg Wilhelm Franz Wenderoth, 1833 |
Family: |
CONVOLVULACEAE |
Origin: |
Central Mexico |
Soil: |
Mix |
Water:
|
Medium |
Sun: |
Medium |
Thickness: |
9
Centimetres |
Height: |
4 Metres |
Flower:
|
Pink -
Purple |
Propagate: |
Seeds |
Names:
|
Jalap,
Jalape, Jalapa |
Synonyms: |
Convolvulus purga, Georg Wilhelm Franz Wenderoth, 1830.
Exogonium purgum, Georg Wilhelm Franz Wenderoth, 1840.
Batatas purga, Peterm.
Convolvulus officinalis, G.Pelletan.
Convolvulus schiedeanus, D.Dietr.
Ipomoea jalapa, Nutt.
Ipomoea schiedeana, Zucc. |
This member of the Convolvulaceae
family was given this name by Georg Wilhelm Franz Wenderoth in 1833.
It is found in the central Mexico, growing in a slightly rich but
well drained soil with some water and some sun. The caudex can grow
to nine centimetres in diameter and around fifteen centimetres long.
The vines can reach four meters, and the flowers are bright pink to
purple.
The
generic name Ipomoea is derived from the Greek ἴψ, ἰπός;
íps, ipós,
meaning 'woodworm', and ὅμοιος; hómoios,
meaning 'resembling'. It referring to their twining habit. The species name mean 'purging'. Might be the effect of
eating the root, which contains convolvulin, which is a powerful
cathartic. It is used to prevent diarrhea, but large amounts will
induce vomiting. |