Ipomoea aquatica
Ipomoea aquatica, commonly known as water spinach or kangkong, is a highly nutritious leafy green vegetable native to tropical regions. Widely cultivated in Asia, this aquatic plant is prized for its rapid growth and versatile culinary uses. Beyond nutrition, it possesses significant medicinal properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Scientific name: Ipomoea aquatica
- Family: Convolvulaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Solanales, it is classified under the family Convolvulaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is established within the genus Ipomoea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Solanales | WCVP |
| Family | Convolvulaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ipomoea | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant, Ipomoea aquatica, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing in the country of Burkina. Additionally, its presence extends to the nation of Gambia. The species is also documented within the territories of Ghana and Guinea. Finally, its distribution includes the coastal areas of Ivory Coast.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mauritania | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
Chemicals
Ipomoea aquatica has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, phenols, chloroform, distilled water, ethanol.
- Total chemicals
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| chloroform | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| distilled water | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethanol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethyl acetate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glycosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hexane | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methanol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| nicotiflorin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Ipomoea aquatica has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ipomoea aquatica has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, antiviral, breast cancer, glycemic control.
- Total uses
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glycemic control | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |