Ipomoea purga
Ipomoea purga | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Solanales |
Family: | Convolvulaceae |
Genus: | Ipomoea |
Species: | I. purga
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Binomial name | |
Ipomoea purga (Wender.) Hayne
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Ipomoea purga is a species of flowering plant in the genus Ipomoea. It is commonly referred to as jalap[1] and is probably also the source of the John the Conqueror root.
Description[]
Ipomoea purga is described as a vine that can reach heights of 12 feet (3.7 m). When fresh, the root is black externally, white and milky within, and varies in size according to its age.[2] It has heart shaped leaves and purple trumpet like flowers. Ipomoea purga is rather difficult to break down, but if triturated with cream of tartar, sugar of milk, or other hard salts, the process of pulverization is much easier, and the powder rendered much finer.[2] When in powder form in order to ingest, the color is a pale grayish brown.[2] Ipomoea purga is native to Mexico and it is naturalized in other parts of the neotropics.[1]
Discovery[]
Ipomoea purga was encountered by Spanish conquistadores while enslaving and stealing resources from Mexican Indigenous peoples.[3] It was introduced to Europe in 1565 as a medical herb[3] used to treat an array of illnesses up until the 19th century when modern medical practices became the norm.[3]
Medical uses[]
The root contains convolvulin, which is a powerful cathartic (see jalap). It is used to prevent diarrhea, but large amounts will induce vomiting.[3] When applied to a wound, it is said to induce purgation.[2]
Chemical composition[]
Ipomoea purga resin can be dissolved in either alcohol or diethyl ether. The resin that is insoluble in ether is odorless while the resin insoluble in alcohol does have an odor and is typically a brownish color. The convolvulinolic acid (C28H52O14)that is produced in Ipomoea purga can be broken down into a sugar molecule (C6H12O6) and a form of crystallized convolvulinolic acid (C16H30O3) when diluted.[2]
Synonyms[]
- Basionym
- Convolvulus purga Wender., Pharmac. Centralb. 1:457. 1830.
- Homotypic
- Exogonium purga (Wender.) Benth., Pl. Hartw. 46. 1840.
- Heterotypic
- Convolvulus officinalis Pelletan, J. Chim. Méd. t. 1. 1834.
- Ipomoea jalapa Nutt. & Cox, Journ. Am. Med. Sci. 5: 305. 1830, nom illeg. non Pursh (1813).
- Ipomoea jalapa Schiede & Deppe ex G. Don, Gen. Hist. 4: 271. 1838.
- Ipomoea schiedeana Zucc., Flora vol. 14, 802. 1831.[4]
References[]
- ^ a b "Ipomoea purga". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved December 24, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e "Jalapa (U. S. P.)-Jalap". Retrieved Dec 2, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Chevallier, Andrew (1996). The encyclopedia of medicinal plants. ISBN 0-7894-1067-2.
- ^ Species:Ipomoea purga
- Ipomoea
- Flora of Mexico