Ipomoea aquatica{Water morning glory} -Indian forestry

Ipomoea aquatica {Water morning glory}

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Solanales
Family:	Convolvulaceae
Genus:	Ipomoea
Species:	I. aquatica
Binomial name
Ipomoea aquatica

• Water morning glory is a semi-aquatic tropical plant grow as leafy vegetable.
• Due to extensive cultivation,it is not known where it originated.Generally it is found in tropical and sub-tropical region.
• It grows on water and moist soil.

Common names:-

• English:Water Morning Glory, Swamp cabbage, aquatic morning glory, Chinese water spinach 
• Hindi: Nali, कलमी साग Kalmi sag
• Manipuri: কোলম্নী Kolamni 
• Marathi: नालीची भाजी Nalichi-bhaji
• Tamil: Sarkaraivalli 
• Telugu: Tutikura 
• Kannada: Chanthion
• Bengali: কলমী সাগ Kulmi sag 
• Oriya: Kalama saga
• Konkani: Takasi vel 
• Sanskrit: Karemu, Kalambi 

Diagonostics :-

Stem :-

• The stem of this plant is about 2-3 cm {7-10 ft} or more long.
• Rotting also start from the nodes.
• It is hollow so that it can float in water.

Leaves :-

Sagittate leaf

Lanceolate leaf

• Leaves of this plant vary from sagittate to lanceolate shape.
• It is 5-15 cm long and broad upto 2-8 cm.
• margin of the leaves are simple.

Flower:-

• The flower is trumpet shaped.
• 3-5 cm in diameter.
• The colour of water morning glory is white colour with a mauve{pale puple colour}.

Uses :-

• The plant recommended to use as a laxative in piles patients and other problems related to sleeplessness and headache.
• In Ayurveda (the traditional medicine) it is reported that oral administration of I. aquatica leaves leads to cure ailments such as jaundice, nervous debility.
• The plant is used in the treatment of liver diseases constipations.
• It is also used as fodder for animals.Also used by tribal people as vegetable.
• I. aquatica used as carminative agent{prevent formation of gas} and lessens inflammation.  
• It is effectively used against nosebleed and high blood pressure.