Kamote/Sweet potato
Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam
Kamote/Sweet potato
Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam
Kamote is a spreading, prostrate, herbaceous, smooth or somewhat hairy vine. Stems or runners, sprawling several meters long, take root when in contact with soil. Leaves are ovate to oblong-ovate, 6 to 14 centimeters long, somewhat entire, with alternate heart-shaped or palmately lobed leaves, pointed at the tip, and heart-shaped at the base. Flowers are sympetalous like that of morning glory, 5 centimeters long, funnel-shaped, purple, self sterile, and rarely producing seeds. Stamens are 5, of different lengths attached to corolla (epipetalous) with hairy filaments. Sepals are about 1 centimeter long and greenish with pointed lobes. Corolla is funnel shaped, 4 to 5 centimeters long, pink, purple, and whitish. The edible and sweet-tasting tuberous root is long and tapered with a smooth skin of varying colors from red, purple, brown and white. The flesh varies from white, orange, purple and yellow.
USES
Good source of vitamins A, B and C, iron, calcium and phosphorus, high in complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber; deficient in protein, diabetes, boils, acne, and diarrhea.
PLANT PART
Tops, leaves and edible roots.
DISTRIBUTION
Extensively cultivated in the Philippines, can be planted any time of the year, easily propagated from stem cuttings, cultivated in all warm countries.