Uses of Ipomoea
Ipomoea is probably not familiar to you by its botanical name. However you may have heard of the many members of its family by their common names---morning glory, sweet potato, moon flower and wood rose. Unlike others of the ipomoea family, which are grown mostly for their fragrant flowers, Ipomoea batatas or sweet potato has many uses besides a great side dish at meal time.
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The Plant
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Ipomoea or sweet potato has many qualities that make it desirable to grow commercially. Many cultivars are tolerant of diverse conditions. They have been cultivated to withstand certain bacteria and disease, high or low pH factors, as well as viruses and weeds. Both the dried vines and tubers have uses. There are approximately 10 cultivars grown commercially in the United States. You are probably familiar with at least one of the two classifications that they are grown for, either animal feed or human consumption.
Vegetable
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When grown as a vegetable the Ipomoea batatas or sweet potato tuber (or root) can be prepared in many different ways. Perhaps you have eaten it boiled and mashed, baked like a potato, deep fried or served up as an alternative to the classic potato chip. Maybe your favorite is the sweet potato pie. Once dried, the sweet potato can also be ground into a flour and used to bake breads and pastries.
Folk Remedies
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The sweet potato has found its way into folk remedies (home treatments without medical backing). You may have heard claims ranging from use as a tonic, laxative, astringent and bactericide, along with being an aphrodisiac. Folk remedy users believe it is useful for treating burns, diarrhea, fever, tumors, asthma and bug bites.
As a Raw Material
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Sweet potatoes tops are used as a raw material in India. The tops are used in the manufacture of alcohol, vinegar, tactic acid, yeast and acetone. The tops can be harvested three to four times a year, making it a valuable resource.
Animal Feed
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If you have farm animals to feed and have access to ipomoea, in several instances they fair well in comparison to corn and alfalfa. The food value compared to corn is in the 95th to 100th percentile. The dry vines have food value equal to alfalfa. Being a tolerant plant, it may grow in conditions not favorable to corn or alfalfa.
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