Ipomoea batatas

Ipomoea batatas (commonly known as sweet potato) is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the bindweed or morning glory family, Convolvulaceae. Its large, starchy, sweet-tasting, tuberous roots are a root vegetable. The young leaves and shoots are sometimes eaten as greens. The sweet potato is only distantly related to the potato (Solanum tuberosum) and does not belong to the nightshade family, Solanaceae.

Description

The sweet potato, especially the orange variety, is often called a "yam" in parts of North America, but is not part of the family Dioscoreaceae, nor is it related to the African yams. It is a herbaceous perennial vine, bearing alternate heart-shaped or palmately lobed leaves and medium-sized sympetalous flowers. The edible tuberous root is long and tapered, with a smooth skin whose color ranges between yellow, orange, red, brown, purple, and beige. Its flesh ranges from beige through white, red, pink, violet, yellow, orange, and purple. Sweet potato varieties with white or pale yellow flesh are less sweet and moist than those with red, pink or orange flesh.

Cultivation

The plant is a climber and the roots are usually found at the nodes. The plant is propagated by stem cuttings. It is grown in a variety of soils, but well-drained light and medium textured soils with a pH range of 4.5-7.0 are more conducive for the plant. It can be grown in poor soils with little fertilizer. However, sweet potatoes are very sensitive to aluminum toxicity and will die about six weeks after planting if lime is not applied at planting in this type of soil.

Uses

Sweet potatoes are used in both savory and sweet dishes, most commonly boiled, baked, or fried. They can also be processed to make starch and a partial flour substitute. Industrial uses include the production of starch and industrial alcohol.

Nutrition

Sweet potatoes are rich in complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber and beta-carotene (a provitamin A carotenoid), while having moderate contents of other micronutrients, including vitamin B5, vitamin B6 and manganese.

See also

• Ipomoea
• Convolvulaceae
• Root vegetable
• Beta-Carotene

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