Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R.Br.

Beach morning glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae) is a climbing plant 5-30 meters long of the Convolvulaceae family, growing naturally along tropical coastlines of the Americas, Africa, India, and Indonesia. Its leaves can be eaten as a vegetable, though large amounts can produce a laxative effect. Different parts of this plant are traditionally used for different purposes: seeds for stomach ache, leaves for rheumatism, roots for toothache, and stem sap for animal bites.

This plant grows wild from sea level up to 600 m above sea level. Generally found around coastlines, especially on sand dunes, rocky or sandy soil, and sometimes along waterways. Favors full sun conditions.

• Stem round, moist, smooth, climbing or creeping along the ground, greenish-brown.
• Leaves simple, thick, smooth and glossy, crosswise arrangement, ovate shaped like a horse's hoof, rounded and split tip, 3-10 x 3-10.5 cm in size.
• Flowers trumpet-shaped, 3-16 cm in diameter, corolla 3-6 cm long, purplish-pink.
• Fruit a round to flat capsule, 12-17 mm in size.
• Seeds black and densely hairy, 6-10 mm in size.

• Propagated by seed and stem cuttings.
• Stem cuttings are made by inserting a stem section into sand.

Steroids, alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, sterols, phenolics, tannins.

Seeds: treat stomach ache and cramps. Leaves: treat rheumatism/joint pain/body aches, hemorrhoids, wounds. Roots: treat toothache and eczema. Stem sap: treats animal bites and stings.

• Select fresh beach morning glory leaves. Remove any adhering debris, wash, and drain.
• Chop the leaves and place on a tray, then sun-dry for 5 days, covered with a thin dark cloth.
• Once dry, place in clean, tightly sealed, airtight plastic.

Batata pantai (Manado), Tangkatang (Madura), Tapak kuda.