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Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Ipomoea pandurata (Man of the earth)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Ipomoea pandurata (L.) G.F.W. Mey.

Man of the earth, Wild Potato, Wild sweet potato, Manroot

Convolvulaceae (Morning-Glory Family)

USDA Symbol: ippa

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The very large, high-climbing Ipomoea pandurata has white flowers with deep purple throats and is very abundant in the Midwest.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Flower:
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: white with pink or purple strips in throat

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , MI , MO , MS , NC , NE , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV
Canada: ON
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade

Benefit

Use Food: Indigenous people harvested the large taproot from fall to spring for food.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Edible Plants for North Georgia
January 10, 2010
We are planning a forest food garden in the hollers of the N GA Mountains. Which edible fruit, nut, berry, herb and creepers would be best for this reddish, clay-like soil? The food garden is in...
view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Bibref 1243 - The Southeastern Indians (1976) Hudson, Charles
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Ipomoea pandurata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Ipomoea pandurata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ipomoea pandurata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-12-07
Research By: TWC Staff

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