Veracruz jalap

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Veracruz jalap
• jalap

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Batatas purga
• Exogonium purga
• Convolvulus purga
• Convolvulus officinalis
• Convolvulus schiedeanus

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. It is classified within the order Solanales and the family Convolvulaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Ipomoea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution spanning across diverse regions. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in India. Its presence extends significantly into Mexico, where it is located in the central territories. Furthermore, it is distributed throughout the northeast regions of Mexico. Finally, the species also inhabits the coastal areas of the Mexico Gulf.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Ipomoea purgata is characterized by its status as a perennial, a trait that allows the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. While its life cycle can exhibit variability depending on environmental conditions and habitat, it primarily functions as a long-lived species rather than completing its cycle within a single year or two. This perennial nature enables the plant to establish robust root systems that support its continued growth and reproductive capabilities over an extended period.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ipomoea purga is characterized by its growth habit as a non-woody, herbaceous vine. It functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing its vine-like structure to ascend various supports. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, nor does it grow as an epiphyte, as it remains strictly terrestrial in its environmental requirement. Although its classification can span across aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial habitats, its primary morphological expression is that of a terrestrial climbing plant.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ipomoea purga is characterized by specialized metabolic processes focused on the synthesis and accumulation of ergoline alkaloids within its tuberous roots. These alkaloids are produced through complex biochemical pathways that respond to environmental stimuli, serving as secondary metabolites that facilitate the plant's chemical defense mechanisms. The plant exhibits a robust subterranean growth pattern, where the enlarged taproots function as primary storage organs for both water and nutrients, enabling survival in semi-arid environments. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, Ipomoea purga does not engage in symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria; therefore, it is not a nitrogen fixer (trait_1: no). Instead, it relies on the uptake of inorganic nitrogen directly from the soil through its root system to support its vegetative development and the synthesis of nitrogenous alkaloid compounds.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Ipomoea purga has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Jalapinolic acid, Caffeic acid methyl ester, Convolvulinic acid, STARCH, TIGLIC ACID.

Jalapinolic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Caffeic acid methyl ester

1. Dr. Duke

Convolvulinic acid

1. Journal of natural products

STARCH

1. Dr. Duke

TIGLIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

Valeric acid

1. Dr. Duke

caffeic acid

1. Dr. Duke

cetyl alcohol

1. Dr. Duke

resin

1. Dr. Duke

scopoletin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Ipomoea purga has 120 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Absorbent, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allelochemic, Allergenic, Analgesic.

Absorbent

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Anesthetic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

AntiLegionella

1. Dr. Duke

Antiadenoviral

1. Dr. Duke

Antiadrenergic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Ipomoea purga has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer.

Cancer

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Preparations

Ipomoea purga has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include dried roots of several morning glories.

Dried roots of several morning glories

1. Journal of natural products