Characteristics
A climbing plant which has woody twining stems. It climbs vigorously. It can be 6 m long. There is a large fleshy underground rootstock. The leaves are 5-12 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. They are narrow and heart shaped. The leaves have prominent lobes at the base. The leaves are dark green above and paler underneath with prominent veins. Many flowers occur together. The flowers are trumpet shaped and pink with a darker throat. They are 8 cm across. The seed capsules are 2 cm across and are round leathery. The seeds are angular and smooth.
| Life form |
-
|
| Growth form |
herb
|
| Growth support |
-
|
| Foliage retention |
-
|
| Sexuality |
hermaphrodite
|
| Pollination |
-
|
| Spread |
-
|
| Mature width (meter) |
-
|
| Mature height (meter) |
-
|
| Root system |
-
|
| Rooting depth (meter) |
-
|
| Root diameter (meter) |
-
|
| Flower color |
-
|
| Blooming months |
-
|
| Fruit color |
-
|
| Fruiting months |
-
|
| Nitrogen fixer |
-
|
| Photosynthetic pathway |
-
|
Environment
A tropical plant. It needs well drained soil. It suits subtropical regions with seasonally dry climates. It suits sunny positions. It can tolerate light frosts.
| Light |
-
|
| Soil humidity |
-
|
| Soil texture |
-
|
| Soil acidity |
-
|
| Soil nutriment |
-
|
| Hardiness (USDA) |
-
|
Usage
The tuber is eaten. It is usually baked.
| Uses |
-
|
| Edible
|
roots
tubers
|
| Therapeutic use
|
-
|
| Human toxicity |
-
|
| Animal toxicity |
-
|
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. The seeds are best rubbed with sand paper to break the hard seed coat.
| Mode |
seedlings
|
| Germination duration (days) |
-
|
| Germination temperacture (C°) |
-
|
| Germination luminosity |
-
|
| Germination treatment |
-
|
| Minimum temperature (C°) |
-
|
| Optimum temperature (C°) |
-
|
| Size |
-
|
| Vigor |
-
|
| Productivity |
-
|
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