Coastal Morning Glory
Ipomoea cairica
Other Names: Mile-a-minute
Introduced From: Tropical Africa
Family: Convolvulaceae 1500 species in 55 genera worldwide, 20 genera in Australia. Includes sweet potato
Habitat: Wastelands and disturbed sites. Gardens, roadsides, coastal sand dunes. Often trails over shrubs and fences.
Uses: Tubers edible cooked, stems are also edible cooked.
Danger: WARNING: Some species of Ipomoea have edible parts (including the commercialy grown sweet potato), but others are poisonous.
References: Richardson and Shepherd, Eat The Weeds, Wildlife of Hawaii
About Coastal Morning Glory
Ipomoea cairica flowers all year. The flowers are pink to purple, very occasionally white, with a darker coloured throat (the inside of the flower).
There are about 500 species of Ipomoea in the world, and about 40 in Australia, some native and some introduced. Most of them are vines, climbing plants or ground-trailing creepers. Some are called "Bush Potatoes" and their tubers were highly favoured staple Aboriginal foods.
According to Eat The Weeds, it has edible roots and stems though they are slightly bitter and both are slightly cyanogenetic. Roots were boiled, or, grated then roasted, no doubt to drive off the cyanide.
Photo: Ipomoea cairica, Coastal Morning Glory. Watsons Bay, NSW.
Photo: Ipomoea cairica, Coastal Morning Glory. Watsons Bay, NSW.
Photo: Ipomoea cairica, Coastal Morning Glory. Watsons Bay, NSW.
See Also
Australian Mammals
Australian Birds
Australian Reptiles
Australian Frogs
Australian Fish
Australian Spiders and Their Faces
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