Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Streptophyta

Class: Equisetopsida

Subclass: Magnoliidae

Order: Solanales

Family: Convolvulaceae

 Genus: Ipomoea

 Species: Ipomoea carnea

Description:  

Leaves: Light green, heart-shaped, 6–9 inches long, with soft hair on the underside 

Flowers: Trumpet-shaped, white with pale pink to purple, 5–9 cm long, with a darker purplish throat 

Fruit: Oval, capsule-like, non-fleshy, pale brown when ripe, with black seeds 

Growth  

Fast-growing, erect shrub or climber that can grow up to 4 meters tall 

Woody, light brown to beige, hollow, slender, and smooth 

Grows best in well-draining, fertile soils 

Toxicity 

The seeds are toxic and can cause abnormal endocrine and gastrointestinal functions, immune system alternation, and abnormality in embryogenesis  

Poisoning is generally not fatal until the neurologically compromised animals encounter some mishap  

Distribution 

Native to Central and South America  

Has been spread throughout the world as an ornamental species  

Introduced in the Caribbean, USA, tropical and subtropical Africa and Asia, and in many islands in the Pacific Ocean 

Uses: Medicine 

Skin diseases: The milky juice of the plant is used to treat leukoderma and other skin diseases  

Anti-inflammatory: The leaves of the plant have anti-inflammatory properties  

Wound healing: The plant has wound-healing properties  

Anti-diabetic: The aqueous extract of the plant has beneficial effects against diabetes  

Anti-microbial and anti-fungal: Extracts of the plant have antimicrobial and anti-fungal activities  

Anti-oxidant: The methanolic extract of the plant has strong antioxidant properties  

Anti-cancer: The plant has anticarcinogenic properties  

Anti-convulsant: The plant contains a component identical to marsilin, a sedative and anticonvulsant  

Papermaking  

The plant can be used to make paper 

Ornamental plant  

The plant is used as an ornamental plant and hedge plant along the sides of irrigation and drainage canals 

Other uses 

The boiled roots are used as a laxative and menstruation provocation  

The plant is used as aphrodisiac, purgative as well as cathartic