Beach morning glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae)

Katang-katang or tapak kuda or beach morning glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae) is a plant species in the Convolvulaceae, growing up to 30 meters long on sandy beaches and rock cliffs, green-brown stems, roots on each segment and secretes white latex.

I. pes-caprae has leaves that sit spread out, stalks 2-3 cm long, sap is white and oozes when broken. Leaf blade in the shape of a butterfly wing, divided at the tip and base, elongated round, thick, smooth and shiny surface, hairless, green in color and flat edge.

Compound inflorescences with one or more flowers. The flowers are funnel-shaped and purple in color. The stalk is 3-16 cm long. Calyx is not the same, somewhat hideous, trumpet-shaped corolla and purple to reddish.

Dehiscent fruit, round to slightly flat capsule, 12–17 mm long and four seeds. Seeds are black and tightly haired, light and brown, 6–10 mm.

Beach morning glories have a pan-tropical distribution along beaches or rocky soil containing sand. It often grows just behind the tidal line on the beach. It also grows on land, along roadsides and ditches, up to an elevation of 800 meters.

Rural communities believe hoof is used to treat constipation, stomach cramps and pain, prevent swelling from jellyfish stings, abscesses and speed up boils, difficulty urinating, preventing edema and kidney problems.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Subphylum: Angiospermae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Solanales
Family: Convolvulaceae
Subfamily: Convolvuloideae
Tribe: Ipomoeeae
Genus: Ipomoea
Species: Ipomoea pes-caprae
Subspecies: Ipomoea pes-caprae ssp. brasiliensis, Ipomoea pes-caprae ssp. pes-caprae

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