water spinach

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• water spinach
• Chinese water-spinach
• swamp morning-glory
• water-convolvulus
• water-spinach
• Kalmi
• Swamp cabbage
• Water Morning Glory
• Water spinach
• ong choy

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ipomoea aquatica is characterized by its adaptability to a wide altitudinal gradient, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 1050 m AMSL. This species frequently colonizes anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), demonstrating a notable capacity to thrive in environments modified by human activity. Its distribution across these diverse elevations and its tendency to inhabit human-disturbed landscapes suggest a robust ecological plasticity, allowing it to establish itself in varied topographical and anthropogenically influenced settings.

Elevational range max:

1050 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Genetics

The genetics of Ipomoea aquatica are characterized by a specific chromosomal arrangement that plays a fundamental role in its biological classification and reproductive mechanisms. The species possesses a diploid chromosome number of 30, a stable genomic configuration that defines its cytogenetic profile within the Convolvulaceae family. This chromosomal makeup facilitates the complex genetic inheritance patterns observed in various cultivars, influencing traits such as leaf morphology, growth vigor, and resistance to environmental stressors. Understanding this specific numerical value of 30 chromosomes is essential for studying the plant's evolutionary lineage, potential for polyploidy, and the genetic stability required for successful breeding and agricultural optimization.

Chromosome number :

30

Life history

The life history of Ipomoea aquatica is characterized by a versatile developmental strategy, functioning primarily as an annual plant, though its growth patterns can be variable depending on environmental conditions and habitat stability. In terms of its structural morphology and ecological niche, it exhibits a complex life form, acting as a helophyte that thrives in wetland environments, often transitioning between aquatic and terrestrial interfaces. Additionally, its survival strategy is categorized as that of a therophyte, completing its life cycle through the production of seeds that ensure persistence across successive growing seasons.

Life form :

helophyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Ipomoea aquatica is characterized by its growth form as a herbaceous forb, exhibiting a variable degree of woodiness. This plant functions as a vine that can act as a self-supporting climber, though it is primarily recognized for its trailing habit. Its height is highly adaptable depending on environmental conditions, ranging from a minimum of 0 m to a maximum of 3 m, with an average height of approximately 0.5 m. As a terrestrial and aquatic species, it displays a versatile life habit, capable of thriving in aquatic, semiaquatic, or terrestrial environments. Furthermore, the plant is an independent organism, meaning it does not function as a parasite, and it maintains a terrestrial lifestyle rather than being epiphytic.

Aquatic :

aquatic

Climber :

vine

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Woodiness :

variable

Physiology

The physiology of Ipomoea aquatica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation and metabolic efficiency in aquatic or semi-aquatic environments. Its vegetative morphology, particularly concerning leaf development, exhibits significant variability; the leaves demonstrate a mean length of 10.25 cm, ranging from a minimum of 3.5 cm to a maximum of 17 cm, while the width fluctuates between a minimum of 0.9 cm and a maximum of 8.5 cm, with a mean width of 4.7 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from its surrounding substrate or water rather than through symbiotic nitrogen-fixing processes.

Leaf length max:

17 cm

Leaf length mean:

10.25 cm

Leaf length min:

3.5 cm

Leaf width max:

8.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

4.7 cm

Leaf width min:

0.9 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ipomoea aquatica is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily utilizing insects such as bees to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The plant is capable of self-fertilization, ensuring reproductive success through the presence of self-fertilizing mechanisms. Following successful pollination, the plant develops a capsule-type fruit that is characterized as dehiscent, meaning it opens at maturity to release its contents. These capsules typically measure between 0.8 cm and 1 cm in length. Within these fruits, the seeds are produced with a highly consistent mass, maintaining a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 0.0435 g, which plays a crucial role in its dispersal and subsequent germination processes.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length min:

0.8 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.0435 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ipomoea aquatica has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Planta medica
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Ipomoea aquatica has 55 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Phenols, Ash, CALCIUM, CHLOROFORM.

Flavonoids

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA
2. Planta medica
3. Scientific reports

Phenols

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA
2. Planta medica
3. Scientific reports

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CHLOROFORM

1. Tropical biomedicine

COPPER

1. Dr. Duke

Distilled water

1. Tropical biomedicine

ETHYL ACETATE

1. Tropical biomedicine

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

GLUTAMIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Ipomoea aquatica has 363 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, 5-HETE-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, Acidulant.

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica

5-HETE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Acnegenic

1. Dr. Duke

Adjuvant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Ipomoea aquatica has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, antiviral, breast cancer, glycemic control.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations