Ipomoea purga facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ipomoea purga
Scientific classification
Genus:	Ipomoea
Species:	purga

Ipomoea purga is a species of flowering plant in the genus Ipomoea. It is commonly referred to as jalap and is probably also the source of the John the Conqueror root.

Description

Ipomoea purga is described as a vine that can reach heights of 12 feet (3.7 m). When fresh, the root is black externally, white and milky within, and varies in size according to its age. It has heart shaped leaves and purple trumpet like flowers. Ipomoea purga is rather difficult to break down, but if triturated with cream of tartar, sugar of milk, or other hard salts, the process of pulverization is much easier, and the powder rendered much finer. When in powder form in order to ingest, the color is a pale grayish brown. Ipomoea purga is native to Mexico and it is naturalized in other parts of the neotropics.

Discovery

Ipomoea purga was encountered by Spanish conquistadores during the conquest of Mexico. It was introduced to Europe in 1565 as a medical herb used to treat an array of illnesses up until the 19th century when modern medical practices became the norm.

Medical uses

The root contains convolvulin, which is a powerful cathartic (see jalap). It is used to prevent diarrhea, but large amounts will induce vomiting. When applied to a wound, it is said to induce purgation.

Chemical composition

Ipomoea purga resin can be dissolved in either alcohol or diethyl ether. The resin that is insoluble in ether is odorless while the resin soluble in alcohol does have an odor and is typically a brownish color. The convolvulinolic acid (C₂₈H₅₂O₁₄)that is produced in Ipomoea purga can be broken down into a sugar molecule (C₆H₁₂O₆) and a form of crystallized convolvulinolic acid (C₁₆H₃₀O₃) when diluted.

Synonyms

Basionym

• Convolvulus purga Wender., Pharmac. Centralb. 1:457. 1830.

Homotypic

• Exogonium purga (Wender.) Benth., Pl. Hartw. 46. 1840.

Heterotypic

• Convolvulus officinalis Pelletan, J. Chim. Méd. t. 1. 1834.
• Ipomoea jalapa Nutt. & Cox, Journ. Am. Med. Sci. 5: 305. 1830, nom illeg. non Pursh (1813).
• Ipomoea jalapa Schiede & Deppe ex G. Don, Gen. Hist. 4: 271. 1838.
• Ipomoea schiedeana Zucc., Flora vol. 14, 802. 1831.

See also

In Spanish: Ipomoea purga para niños