Lavender moonvine facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lavender moonvine
Scientific classification
Genus:	Ipomoea
Species:	muricata
Synonyms
Homotypic Synonyms Bonanox muricata (L.) Raf. Calonyction muricatum (L.) G.Don Calonyction speciosum var. muricatum (L.) Choisy Convolvulus muricatus L. Convolvulus smilacifolius Salisb. Ipomoea turbinata Lag. Leptocallis quinata G.Don Heterotypic Synonyms Calonyction longiflorum Hassk. Calonyction pseudomuricatum (Bernh. ex Link) G.Don Convolvulus colubrinus Blanco, Fl. Filip. Convolvulus petiolaris Kunth, F.W.H.von Humboldt Ipomoea bona-nox var. purpurascens Ker Gawl. Ipomoea calderonii Standl. Ipomoea kirkiana Britten Ipomoea petiolaris (Kunth) G.Don Ipomoea pseudomuricata Bernh. ex Link Ipomoea shirensis Baker Ipomoea spinulosa Brandegee Ipomoea tubiflora Hook.f.

Ipomoea muricata, also called lavender moonvine, is a climbing vine in the genus Ipomoea, the same genus that contains the various morning glory species and sweet potato. It is native to Central America, but now distributed widely across the tropics and subtropics.

Morphology

Ipomoea muricata is a fast annual climber, with funnel-shaped and white, reddish or lilac flowers, reminiscent of the color of lavender. The stems are twining and muricate. The leaf texture is glabrous, and its shape is ovate or orbicular.

Uses

The various parts of the plant are used as food, medicine and poison by the peoples of its native and expanded range. In the Indian state of Kerala, the plant is called clove bean or nithya vazhutana and the swollen peduncles are consumed, typically pan-fried or as a thoran.

See also

In Spanish: Ipomoea muricata para niños