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CONVOLVULACEAE
9. Ipomoea mauritiana (Jacq.) Abcywick., Ccyl. Journ. Sc. 2 (2): 215. 1959. (Fig. 148).
Ipomoea digitata Linn.—Ipomoea paniculata R. Br.—Ipomoea gossypifolia Willd.—Ipomoea
eriosperma Beauv.—Ipomoea insignis Andr.—Ipomoea tuberosa G.F.W. Mey.—Convolvulus
paniculatus Linn.—Convolvulus digitatus Spreng.—Convolvulus pratensis Spreng.—Convolvulus
roseus Kunth—Batatas paniculata Choisy—Batatas edulis Choisy,
Engl. Giant Potato; Sinh. Kiribadu; Tarn. Niiappuchani, Palmodikka, Palmudangi
Pucharkkaraikkilangu, Valli; Hindi Bilaikand; Sans. Bhukshmandi, Bhumikushmanda,
Gandhaphala, Gajavajipriya, Gajeshta, Ikshugandha, Kshirakhanda, Kshirashukla, Kshiravalli
Kshiravidali, Kroshtri, Mahaveshta, Payasvini, Shreshtakanda, Shrigalika Shukla, Sita,
Svadukanda, Svadulata, Triparna, Vajivallabha, Vidali, Vidari, Vidarika, Vrikshavalli,
Vrishyakanda, Vrishyavatlika, Vrishyavardhini.
A perennial twiner with very large, ovoid or elongated, tuberous roots and long, twining,
tough, glabrous and shining stems; leaves simple, alternate, 8—15 cm long, broader than long,
deeply palmately cut into 5 or 7 lanceolate-acuminate, obtuse lobes, glabrous, paler and with
prominent veins beneath; petioles nearly as long as the leaves, glabrous, channelled above;
flowers regular, bisexual, bright mauve-purple, large on glabrous pedicels, 1.5 cm long,
in dichotomous cymes, peduncle 6 cm long and stout, exceeding the petiole; sepals 5, imbricate,
9 mm long, 8—10 mm broad, rotundate, obtuse, very concave and glabrous; petals 5, fused into
a funnel-shaped corolla, 6—7.5 cm diameter, lobes emarginate, convolute.and contorted in'
bud; stamens 5, filaments almost equal inserted on the corolla-tube, hairy at the base; ovary
superior, 2—4 locular, glabrous, style simple, stigmas 2, globose; capsule 1.2 cm long, ovoid,
closely surrounded by enlarged, rather fleshy sepals; seeds covered with very long, brownish,
cottony hair which is readily detached.
Flowers during April, May and September.
Illustrations. Edward, Bot. Reg. pis. 75 and 333; Curtis, Bot. Mag. pis. 1790 and 3685;
Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. Plants,pi. 662. 1933; Herb. Peradeniya., drawing.
Distribution. Occurs in tropical Asia, India, Ceylon, Africa, America, Australia and
the Philippine Islands. In Ceylon, it is rather common in the low-country, generally near habitations,
probably cultivated.
Ceylon . North Central Prov., Herb. Peradeniya. Aug. 1885. Central Prov., Peradeniya,
Bot. Gard., Jayaweera 1307, Jan. 1955. Western Prov., Colombo, Thwaites ClP. 499.
Uses, The tuberous root is frequently used as a restorative, alterative,aphrodisiac, demulcent
and galactagogue. It is an aromatic stomachic and cholagogue and is useful for chronic
dyspepsia, acute and-chronic congestion of the liver and jaundice. It is also a diuretic in addition
to its demulcent qualities. It is useful against Bright's disease, acute and chronic pyelitis, cystitis
onorrhoea and strangury. Owing to its nutritive qualities, it may be employed as a substitute,
G
or cod-liver oil to tone up and restore the system and for cerebral and spinal paralysis. It is
essentially a uterine tonic and a regulator of menstrual functions. Mascerated in its own juice
and taken with milk and cow ghee, it increases sexual vigour and counteracts sterility. It has
anti-rheumatic properties of much value and gives relief from both acute and chronic
rheumatism.
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