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Ipomoea batatas 'Pink Frost'
| Family Name: | Convolvulaceae |
| Synonyms: | Ipomoea batatas 'Tricolor' |
| Common Name: | Pink Frost Sweet Potato Vine, Ornamental Sweet Potato, 番薯 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.2 m to 0.3 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.9 m to 1.8 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Of horticultural origin |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Perennial creeping vine up to 1.8 m long. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are lobed, variegated with white and green, and pink edges. The young leaves are pink. |
| Flowers | In Singapore, this cultivar seldom flowers. |
| Cultivation | This cultivar makes an excellent groundcover, because it is fast-growing and requires little maintenance. |
| Etymology | The genus name, Ipomoea, is Greek for "worm-resembling", referring to the sinuous twining stems of the plant, while the specific epithet, batatas, is derived from the Haitian name, batata, for sweet potato. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Storage Organs Others: The tubers are edible, but seldom consumed, because there are better-tasting varieties. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens, Groundcover, Container Planting, Suitable for Hanging Baskets |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site) |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Diseases | This cultivar is susceptible to rust, wilt, stem rot,and fungal leaf spots. |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting (Herbaceous) |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Pink, White |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Thin |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green, Pink |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Spiral |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Margin | Palmately Lobed |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink, Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Individual Flower Shape | Trumpet-shaped |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 131 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1427 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
