Page 12 - aug20

sc gardens - plant enthusiasts

Ipomoeas - Morning glory flowers

Ipomoeas are Botswana’s indigenous morning glory
plants. There are many exotic varieties too that are
commonly sold in seed packets, but we have an
immense variety of our own, with Ipomoeas
growing all around us.

The name Ipomoea is derived from two Greek words, ips
meaning ‘worm’ or ‘bindweed’ and homoios meaning ‘like’,
referring to the creeping and twining habit typical of plants
of the genus. Ipomoea batatas is probably the most famous,
being the sweet potato, and indicative of how well even exotic
Ipomoea species grow in Botswana. They love our sunny arid
conditions.
Our indigenous species are particularly interesting, with
several species being used in traditional medicine, or as
charms for love, good luck, fertility and protection. Some
Ipomoea seeds have potentially toxic compounds similar to
psychoactive drugs, and have been used since ancient times.
The tuberous roots of Ipomoea bolusiana (2nd from top) have
been used as a source of water by the San, and some other
varieties as a vegetable including the leaves of I. obscura (top
left) that are eaten like spinach.
Ipomoea carnea - an indigenous shrub, can be seen along road-
sides around the country and has been used as the rootstock
to cultivate ornamental sweet potato varieties, as it flowers
prolifically.

So, not only are they useful as all of the above, but they have
the most beautiful flowers too, like I. coptica (3rd from top)
white with bright pink anthers in the centre. I. hackeliana, and
I. magnusiana (4th and 5th from top) with their pale mauve
flowers and dark purple corollas. Ipomoeas attract a variety of
insects including butterflies. and are definitely worth planting
in the garden. Remember to treat them like wild plants, and
don’t water in winter. Text & photos by S.C

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