title: Ipomoea muricata
text: # Ipomoea muricata
  
  Ipomoea muricata, also called lavender moonvine, is a climbing vine in the genus Ipomoea, the same genus that contains the various morning glory species and sweet potato. It is native to Central America, but now distributed widely across the tropics and subtropics.
  
  ## Morphology
  
  Ipomoea muricata is a fast annual climber, with funnel-shaped and white, reddish or lilac flowers, reminiscent of the color of lavender. The stems are twining and muricate. The leaf texture is glabrous, and its shape is ovate or orbicular.
  
  ## Uses
  
  The various parts of the plant are used as food, medicine and poison by the peoples of its native and expanded range. In the Indian state of Kerala, the plant is called clove bean or nithya vazhutana and the swollen peduncles are consumed, typically pan-fried or as a thoran.
  
  