Ipomoea pes-caprae

Beach morning glory/goat's foot

Ipomoea pes-caprae, commonly known as Beach Morning Glory, is a resilient creeping vine found along tropical coastlines. Renowned in traditional medicine, this plant possesses significant bioactive properties. It is widely utilized for treating skin inflammations, wounds, and gastrointestinal issues, offering a natural therapeutic approach to various ailments.

  • Scientific name: Ipomoea pes-caprae
  • 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. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in 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, known scientifically as Ipomoea pes-caprae, is recognized by a variety of regional names across different languages and cultures. In Chinese, it is referred to as 馬鞍藤 (mǎ'ān téng), while in Malay, it is commonly called Pokok tapak kuda. Its presence in South Asia is noted by the name അടമ്പ് (adaṃp) in Malayalam and ছাগল কুঁড়ি (chāgala kuṛi) in Bengali. Additionally, in German-speaking regions, it is known as Ziegenfuß-Prunkwinde.
Language Common Name Source
zh 馬鞍藤 Wikidata
ms Pokok tapak kuda Wikidata
ml അടമ്പ് Wikidata
bn ছাগল কুঁড়ি Wikidata
de Ziegenfuß-Prunkwinde Wikidata
ht Patat lanmè Wikidata
to Fuetahi Wikidata
th ผักบุ้งทะเล Wikidata
vi Muống biển Wikidata
nl Geitenhoefwinde Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide-ranging geographical distribution across several coastal regions. In Northern Africa, its presence is documented in Egypt. Its reach extends into Macaronesia, where it can be found in the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, and Madeira. Additionally, the species is located within West Tropical Africa, specifically in Benin. These diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in various tropical and subtropical environments.

Region Area Source
Northern Africa Egypt WCVP
Macaronesia Canary Is. WCVP
Macaronesia Cape Verde WCVP
Macaronesia Madeira WCVP
West Tropical Africa Benin 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 Mauritania WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known scientifically as Ipomoea pes-caprae, is a creeping perennial herb where the whole plant is often utilized for its various therapeutic properties. Its sprawling stems act as runners that creep along the sand, allowing the vegetation to spread rapidly across coastal terrains. The lush, fleshy leaves are distinctively shaped like a goat's foot and serve as a primary source of bioactive compounds. Periodically, the plant produces vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that add aesthetic beauty to the shoreline. Because of its diverse chemical profile, the entire plant is frequently employed in traditional medicine to treat ailments ranging from skin inflammations to digestive issues.
Total parts
6
Scientific sources
6
Plant Part Sources Confidence
whole plant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
stems 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flowers 1 ★☆☆☆☆
entire plant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
aerial parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Ipomoea pes-caprae has 37 reported phytochemicals identified across 41 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, simonic acid B, steroids, terpenoids, 2-methylpropanoyl.

Total chemicals
37
Scientific sources
41

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
flavonoids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
simonic acid B 2 ★☆☆☆☆
steroids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
terpenoids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
2-methylpropanoyl 1 ★☆☆☆☆
As 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cr 1 ★☆☆☆☆
D-xylose 1 ★☆☆☆☆
III 1 ★☆☆☆☆
L-rhamnose 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Ipomoea pes-caprae has 4 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antinociceptive, Antiophidic, Antispasmodic.

Total activities
4
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antinociceptive 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiophidic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antispasmodic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Ipomoea pes-caprae has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include pain, inflammation, cancer, dermatitis, gastrointestinal disorders.

Total uses
10
Scientific sources
13

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
pain 3 ★★☆☆☆
inflammation 2 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dermatitis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gastrointestinal disorders 1 ★☆☆☆☆
headache 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hypertension 1 ★☆☆☆☆
multidrug resistance 1 ★☆☆☆☆
salt stress 1 ★☆☆☆☆
stings 1 ★☆☆☆☆