CONVOLVULACEAE (Morning glory family)
The family consists mainly of twining herbs that are often classed as weeds. Some members of this family are used medicinally or as hallucinogens but one species, the sweet potato is an important food source.
Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)
Sweet potatoes are not related to potatoes, and they are cultivated for their root tubers. The tubers of sweet potatoes contain free sugar as well as starch, and this gives them their sweet
taste. The plant is native to tropical America and was introduced to Europe by Columbus. Sweet potatoes can be eaten boiled or baked, and they are a very nutritious food, very rich in vitamin A (17 054 IU per 100g). Vitamin C is also well supplied.