St Mary's College, Sulthan Bathery   /   Plant

Plant Details

Ipomoea sepiariaRoxb

Ipomoea sepiaria Roxb., also known as Purple heart glory is a slender vine belonging to family Convolvulaceae. It is one among the ten sacred plants known collectively as “Dasapushpam” in Kerala. These plants are used for rejuvenating the body in the form of 'karkidakakanji' in the monsoon season in Kerala. In cross sectional view the leaf exhibits short adaxial core, semicircular abaxial midrib and smooth lamina. The vascular bundle of the midrib is single, planoconvex and collateral.  The stem is circular, with short conical spiny ridges at certain places.

  • Family: Convolvulaceae
  • Habit: Twiner
  • Habitat: Tropical east Africa, Zaire to west Africa and Angola, also through tropical Asia
  • Status : Common


Vernacular names

English -morning glory

Malayalam-chuttitthiruthali

Medicinal Uses

Ipomoea pes-caprae has a wide medicinal use in the treatment of inflammatory disorders, skin wounds, stings, and painful rheumatic processes.