Ipomoea digitata
Ipomoea digitata, commonly known as the finger-leaf morning glory, is a versatile medicinal plant native to tropical regions. Renowned for its therapeutic properties, it is frequently used in traditional medicine to treat skin ailments, reduce inflammation, and manage digestive issues, offering a natural approach to holistic wellness and healing.
- Scientific name: Ipomoea digitata
- Family: Convolvulaceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Solanales, falling into 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 |
Common Names
This plant, Ipomoea digitata, is known by various names across different languages and regions. In Malay, it is referred to as Pokok Akar Keremak, while in Chinese, it is commonly called 七爪龙 (including the simplified forms 七爪龙 and zh-cn/zh-hans, as well as the traditional form 七爪龍 in zh-tw).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ms | Pokok Akar Keremak | Wikidata |
| zh | 七爪龙 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 七爪龙 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 七爪龍 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 七爪龙 | Wikidata |
| zh | 细种五爪龙 | Wikidata |
| zh | 苦瓜藤 | Wikidata |
| zh | 野牵牛 | Wikidata |
| zh | 牛乳薯 | Wikidata |
| zh | 五爪薯 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide and diverse geographical distribution across several regions of the Americas. Within the Caribbean, it can be found growing in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Moving toward the mainland, its range extends into Northern South America, specifically in Guyana. The distribution further reaches deep into the continent, spanning as far as Paraguay in Southern South America. Together, these locations highlight the significant presence of Ipomoea digitata throughout the tropical and subtropical zones.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Caribbean | Dominican Republic | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Haiti | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Guyana | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Paraguay | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Ipomoea digitata, possesses unique morphological features that are central to its medicinal profile, most notably its specialized root system. The most significant part used in traditional applications is the tuber, which serves as a storage organ for the plant's nutrients and bioactive compounds. These fleshy, tuberous roots are often harvested for their therapeutic properties, making them the primary focus for those seeking the plant's specific healing benefits.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| tuber | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Ipomoea digitata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ipomoea digitata has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diabetes mellitus.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |