WATER MORNING GLORY (VAYAL CHEERA)

(വയൽ ചീര )

Botanic name: Ipomea aquatica

Family: Convolvulaceae

Other names:

Water spinach, 

River spinach,

water convolvulus,

Chinese spinach,

Chinese Watercress,

Chinese convolvulus,

Swamp cabbage 

Kangkong 

Phak bung 

Kangkung 

Gazun 

Kalmi saag .

Water morning glory semi aquatic leaf vegetable. 

Grows about one foot in height, if it get support  grow up to two meter in height. 

Stems are hollow. 

As its name suggest it is a water loving plant.

Flowers:

 3-5 cm in diameter, white in colour, Trumpet shaped.

Propagation:

By seeds or stem cutting.

Food value:

Tender stems with leaves are used as food.

Detaled studies showed that the Ipomea aquatica leaves contained

Gross energy value of 141.4 Kj/g.

Protein  3%,

Carbohydrate  4.5 %,

 Lipids 0.3 %,

Moisture  78 %,

Ash 1.6 %,

Fibre 1.4 %

Amino acids =4765 mg/100 g

Minerals

 Potassium   444 mg/100 g

 Calcium 163 mg/100g

 Sodium  159.8 mg/100g

 Phosphorus  86 mg/100 g

 Magnesium 52 mg/100 g

 Copper  5.3 mg/100 g

 Zinc 4.1 mg/100 g

 Iron 3.2 mg/100 g

 Manganese  2.3 mg/100 g

Medicinal value:

It is considered as laxative, hence commonly recommended for piles.

It is reported that Ipomea aquatica  provide nerve calming effect in case of sleeplessness, stress, headache and general weakness.

Other uses:

Ipomea aquatic a may be useful in removing heavy metalas and other minarals from contaminated water,such as drainage and municipal wastes.

Foot note: For food purpose never plant this plant near waste dumping areas/ waste burning areas. It will very easily absorb toxic minerals as well as heavy metals and this may leads to health hazards.