Botanical name : Ipomoea paniculata R.Br. (I. mauritiana Jacq.)  
Family : Convolvulaceae
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Kshiravidari, Vidari, Bhoomimanda, Payasvani, Ikshuvalli
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa    : Madhura
Guna   : Guru, Snigdha
Virya   : Seeta
Vipaka : Madhura
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English     : Giant potato, Finger leaf morning-glory
Hindi        : Bhilayakand, Bhuyikohata
Malayalam    : Palmutukku, Mutalakkizhangu, Anjilattali
Distribution – Throughout India growing wild in deciduous forests  
PLANT DESCRIPTION
A perennial twinner plant grows over small bushes and hedges. Leaves palmately compound, 5-7 lobed, lobes ovate lanceolate, acute, glabrous; flowers purple colored in corymbose axillary panicles. Fruits ovoid, 4 valve capsules, contain 4 seeds clothed with hairs. Roots are large, fleshy and tuberous.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, emaciation, skin diseases, anorexia, colic, fever, burning sensation, vomiting, inflammation, menorrhagia and general debility. It is also used to promote breast milk production.
Useful part    :    Tuberous roots.   

Photo: Dr. Eby Abraham MD