Quick Answers
Most species of morning glories are edible, with a few exceptions. The most common edible species are Ipomoea aquatica, Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato), and Ipomoea purpurea. Parts of the plant that are edible include leaves, flowers, roots, and seeds.
Morning glories are a large group of flowering plants in the Convolvulaceae family. There are over 1,000 species of morning glories, many of which are popular ornamental plants. However, some morning glory species also have edible parts and have been used as food plants around the world.
Determining which morning glory species are edible can be confusing. Many species look similar and have been called by the same common names. Additionally, some species contain compounds that can cause side effects if large amounts are eaten.
This article provides an overview of the most common edible morning glory species. It covers which parts are eaten, how to identify the plants, and any precautions for eating morning glories safely.
Common Edible Morning Glory Species
Ipomoea aquatica
Ipomoea aquatica, known as water spinach, water morning glory, or swamp cabbage, is a fast-growing tropical vine. It is native to Africa, Asia, and parts of Australia and has naturalized in many warm areas.
The leaves, shoots, stems, and tender tips of I. aquatica are edible when cooked. They are often used in stir fries, soups, and stews in Southeast Asian cuisines. The taste is similar to spinach.
Water spinach can be identified by its bright green, hollow stems and long, pointed leaves. It grows in wet soil along the edges of ponds, canals, and swamps.
Ipomoea batatas
Ipomoea batatas, known as the sweet potato, is an herbaceous perennial vine grown for its large, starchy tuberous roots. It is native to the tropical regions of the Americas but is now cultivated worldwide.
The tubers of the sweet potato are an important root vegetable consumed as a starchy staple food. The young leaves and shoots are also edible when cooked and eaten as greens.
Sweet potato has long trailing vines with heart-shaped or lobed leaves. Its roots are oblong with smooth skin ranging in color from yellow, orange, red, brown or purple. The raw tubers have a mild flavor and are sweet when cooked.
Ipomoea purpurea
Ipomoea purpurea, commonly called morning glory, is a widely grown ornamental vine. It is native to Mexico and Central America and has become naturalized in tropical and temperate regions worldwide.
The young leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots of I. purpurea are edible. The leaves can be cooked like spinach. The flowers can be eaten raw in salads or battered and fried. The seeds must be thoroughly cooked before eating to remove toxins.
Common morning glory has heart-shaped leaves and large trumpet-shaped purple flowers. It is a fast-growing annual vine often seen growing on fences and trellises.
Other Edible Species
In addition to the main species described above, several other morning glories have edible parts:
- Ipomoea tricolor – The leaves are cooked and eaten like spinach in Africa.
- Ipomoea crassicaulis – The leaves and shoots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable in India.
- Ipomoea leucantha – The young shoots and leaves are consumed after cooking in Indonesia.
- Ipomoea littoralis – The roots are eaten like yams in Brazil.
- Ipomoea cairica – The leaves are occasionally cooked as greens in tropical regions.
Non-Edible and Toxic Species
While most morning glories are edible, there are a few exceptions to be aware of:
- Ipomoea carnea – All parts are poisonous and contain alkaloids that can cause gastrointestinal issues.
- Ipomoea violacea – Seeds and roots are toxic if large amounts eaten.
- Ipomoea hederacea – Raw seeds contain toxins, must be cooked before eating.
- Ipomoea turbinata – Toxic compounds may cause paralysis if leaves eaten in quantity.
It’s important to properly identify any morning glory species before consuming them. Many ornamental morning glories may belong to toxic species. When trying a new species for the first time, eat only a small portion to check for any adverse reactions.
Edible Parts of Morning Glories
Here is an overview of which parts of morning glories are typically eaten:
Leaves
The young leaves of most morning glory species can be eaten when thoroughly cooked. They are often prepared by boiling, steaming, or stir frying. Flavor is comparable to spinach.
Flowers
Edible morning glory flowers can be used to add color to salads or eaten as tempura. Remove the bitter, white flower base and use only the colorful petals.
Roots and Tubers
The starchy roots and tubers of some morning glories are important root vegetables in many cultures. Sweet potato and water spinach have edible tuberous taproots. Other species like I. littoralis have edible tuberous roots that can be cooked like yams.
Seeds
Some morning glory seeds are edible, especially from I. purpurea. However, many species contain toxins in the seeds that must be removed by thorough cooking with several water changes before consumption.
Shoots and Stems
The tender, growing shoots and stems of morning glories can be eaten when cooked. These parts are often used in stir fries, stews, and soups.
Cooking and Eating Morning Glories
Cooking Methods
Proper preparation of morning glory parts helps remove any toxins and improves flavor and texture. Here are some common cooking methods:
- Boiling – Boil leaves, shoots, stems in water until tender.
- Steaming – Steam leaves and shoots until soft.
- Stir frying – Quickly fry morning glory parts with oil and spices.
- Baking/roasting – Roast morning glory root vegetables like sweet potato.
- Frying – Deep fry flowers as tempura or fry leaves into chips.
Flavor Pairings
Morning glories pair well with seasonings and ingredients like:
- Onion, garlic, ginger
- Soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce
- Chili peppers, curry spices
- Coconut milk, lemongrass
- Peanuts
Dishes and Recipes
Here are some popular dishes featuring morning glories:
- Stir fried water spinach
- Sweet potato fries, baked sweet potato
- Morning glory salad with flowers
- Tempura fried flowers
- Herbal morning glory soup
- Steamed buns filled with sweet potato
Growing Edible Morning Glories
Many edible morning glory species are easy to grow in gardens. Here are some tips for cultivating morning glories:
- Plant in full sun and well-drained soil.
- Soak seeds overnight before planting.
- Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date.
- Space plants 12-24 inches apart.
- Provide sturdy trellises or fences for vines to climb.
- Keep soil consistently moist, water at base of plants.
- Mulch to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
- Pinch back vine tips to encourage bushy growth.
Harvest morning glory leaves regularly to encourage new growth. Pick flowers early in the day when fully open. Dig up roots and tubers when the plant dies back in fall.
Nutrition
Morning glories provide a nutritious addition to the diet. Here are some of the key nutrients found in edible morning glory species:
Vitamins and Minerals
- Vitamin A – Important for vision, immune function, reproduction, and growth.
- Vitamin C – Antioxidant that promotes collagen production and immunity.
- Iron – Essential for creating red blood cells and transporting oxygen.
- Manganese – Aids in nutrient metabolism, bone health, and wound healing.
- Potassium – Helps muscles function properly and reduces blood pressure.
Complex Carbohydrates
The starchy tubers and roots of morning glories provide complex carbohydrates. Sweet potatoes are one of the best sources with around 20-30 grams of carbohydrate per 100 grams.
Protein
Morning glory leaves contain approximately 3-5% protein when cooked. The amino acid profile is limited but still provides a source of plant-based protein.
Fiber
The leaves, roots, and tubers of morning glories supply dietary fiber. Fiber promotes healthy digestion and gives a feeling of fullness. A 100 gram portion of sweet potato contains around 3 grams of fiber.
Antioxidants
Many colorful morning glory species contain antioxidant pigments like anthocyanins and carotenoids. These help combat inflammation and protect cells from damage.
Health Benefits
Consuming different parts of morning glories may offer various wellness advantages:
- Improve digestion – Dietary fiber aids healthy bowel movements and gut microbiome balance.
- Control blood sugar – Complex carbs and fiber help regulate blood glucose levels.
- Lower cholesterol – Fiber binds to cholesterol so more is excreted from the body.
- Support vision – Vitamin A and antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin promote eye health.
- Reduce inflammation – Antioxidants counter inflammation linked to diseases.
- Boost immunity – Nutrients like vitamin C, iron, and zinc support immune cell function.
Sweet Potato Health Benefits
Some specific benefits of sweet potato, one of the most popular edible morning glory species, include:
- Improves heart health due to potassium content
- May help manage diabetes by slowing digestion of sugars
- Supplies vitamin A needed for immune function and vision
- Antioxidants help prevent cell mutations leading to cancer
Risks and Precautions
When eating morning glories, keep the following precautions in mind:
- Avoid ornamental varieties, only eat known edible species.
- Never eat seeds or any part raw unless you are certain it is safe.
- Cook leaves, stems and shoots thoroughly before eating.
- Introduce new species in small amounts to check for allergies.
- Don’t eat large portions of any morning glory as a daily vegetable.
- Morning glories may interact with certain medications like lithium.
- Pregnant women should exercise caution and avoid any species with toxins.
Some morning glories contain antinutrients like saponins, tannins, phytic acid, and oxalic acid. These can be reduced by cooking and soaking. Consulting an expert can help ensure you identify and prepare species properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common edible morning glory?
The sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is the most widely consumed edible morning glory around the world. Its starchy tuberous roots are an important dietary staple.
Are morning glory leaves edible?
Yes, the young leaves of most morning glory species can be eaten when cooked. They should be boiled, steamed, or stir-fried to remove toxins and improve flavor and texture.
Can you eat morning glory flowers?
The flowers of some species like Ipomoea purpurea are edible. Remove the bitter white bases and eat only the colorful petals raw or cooked.
Do all morning glories have edible parts?
No, while most have edible leaves, roots or seeds, some species contain toxic compounds and should not be eaten. Only eat species that are known to be edible.
Are morning glory roots edible?
Yes, the starchy tuberous roots and tubers of some species like sweet potato and Ipomoea littoralis can be cooked and eaten like yams or potatoes.
Can you eat too much morning glory?
Eating small amounts of edible morning glory parts occasionally is fine. But regularly consuming large portions may cause side effects due to antinutrients or toxins. Introduce new species slowly.
Conclusion
Many morning glories are nutritious edible plants, but proper identification and preparation is important. Focus on well-known edible species, especially Ipomoea aquatica, I. batatas, and I. purpurea. Cook leaves, shoots, stems, flowers, and seeds thoroughly before eating. With some basic precautions, different morning glory parts can be a tasty addition when growing or buying the plants for ornamental purposes.
