Ipomoea carnea Jacq
Ipomoea carnea Jacq
Family: Convolvulaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Streptophyta
Class: Equisetopsida
Subclass: Magnoliidae
Order: Solanales
Family: Convolvulaceae
Genus: Ipomoea
Species: Ipomoea carnea
Common Name:
English: pink morning glory
Malayam: Neyveli katt
Tamil: Neyveli kattamanakku
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
Phenology : January to December
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