Native Plants
Ipomoea aquatica
Water Spinach
LC
Least Concern
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
ver 3.1, 2018
LC
Least Concern
Peninsular Malaysia Plant Red List *
2015
Taxonomy
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Kingdom
-
Division
-
Class
-
Order
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Family
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Genus
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Specific Epithetaquatica Forssk.
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Synonym
- Ipomoea reptans Poir.
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Vernacular Name
- Akar Kangkung Bulu (Malay)
- Chinese Water-spinach (English)
- Kangkong (Malay)
- Kangkung (Malay)
- Kangkung Sawah (Kedah)
- River Spinach (English)
- Vellai Kirai (Tamil)
- Walai Kerai (Tamil)
- Water Convolvulus (English)
- Water Morning Glory (English)
- Water Spinach (English)
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ResidentialNative
The taxonomic status is pending for approval
Description
Ipomoea aquatica is common in the Malaysian diet whereby the tender young shoots are eaten raw as salad or cooked as a dish. Known as water spinach in English, I. aquatica has several local vernacular names such as kangkung (Malay), ong choi, ong cai or ung choi (Chinese) and vellai kirai or walai kerai (Tamil). There are two distinctive cultivated forms of I. aquatica, one with green stems and pure white corollas and another with reddish stems and lavender or purple corollas (Kiew et al., 2015).
Ipomoea aquatica can be found floating in still waters or creeping on wet soil, in rice fields, muddy ditches and pond margins. This habit of growing in or near water refers to its species epithet aquatica (Kiew et al., 2015).
Habits
| No | Part | Habit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Creeping — Growing along the ground and producing roots at intervals along surface.
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Assessment
| Year Published | Assessment | Red List Category | Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |
Least Concern (LC)
|
3.1 |
| 2015 | Peninsular Malaysia Plant Red List |
Least Concern (LC)
|
N/A |
| 2013 | IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |
Least Concern (LC)
|
3.1 |
Location
by State Location
- Pahang 2
- Selangor 1
Based on publications, specimens, and images
Biodiversity Experts
| Profile | |
|---|---|
|
Ahmad Aldrie Amir (Dr.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
|
Vascular,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Conservation, Ecosystems, Environment, Evolution, Forest, History, Law and Policy, Management, Marine & Coastal, Protected Areas & Science
|
|
Alona Cuevas Linatoc (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)
|
Vascular,
Biodiversity & Conservation
|
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Anisah Lee Abdullah (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
|
Coral Reefs, Vascular,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Conservation, Ecosystems, Environment, Geoinformatics, Management, Marine & Coastal, Protected Areas, Science, Technology & Water
|
|
Asyraf Mansor (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
|
Palms, Vascular (Ecology),
Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecosystems, Environment, Evolution & Forest
|
|
Avelinah Julius (Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
|
Vascular (Taxonomy),
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Cheah Yih Horng (Mr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Moss, Vascular,
Biodiversity & Systematics
|
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Chong Ju Lian (Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
|
Mammals (Ecology), Vascular (Ecology),
Invasive Alien Species, Protected Areas, Digital Sequence Information (DSI), Marine & Coastal & Climate Change
|
|
E. Soepadmo (Prof.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Vascular,
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|
Vascular,
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John Baptist Sugau (Mr.)
Department of Forestry Peninsular Malaysia (JPSM)
|
Vascular (Taxonomy),
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|
Kartini Binti Saibeh (Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
|
Vascular,
Agriculture, Biodiversity & Conservation
|
|
Lau Kah Hoo (Mr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Vascular, Ginger,
Conservation
|
|
Lillian Chua Swee Lian (Dr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Vascular,
Conservation
|
|
Lim Chung Lu (Mr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Vascular (Taxonomy),
|
|
Mahani Bt. Mansor Clyde (Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
|
Vascular,
|
|
Mohamad Azani Alias (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
|
Vascular (Taxonomy), Vascular, Vascular, Amphibians, Amphibians,
Biodiversity, Conservation, Climate Change, Protected Areas & Forest
|
|
Mohd Fahmi Abu Bakar (Ts. Dr.)
Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA)
|
Vascular,
Digital Sequence Information (DSI), Evolution, Genetics, Molecular & Systematics
|
|
Mohd Nazre Salleh @ Japri (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
|
Vascular,
Biodiversity
|
|
Mohd Norfaizal Ghazalli (Dr.)
Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI)
|
Vascular, Pitcher plants,
Agriculture, Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecosystems, Science, Systematics & Taxonomy
|
|
Nadiah Idris (Mrs.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Vascular (Taxonomy),
|
|
Nazahatul Anis Amaludin (Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK)
|
Vascular (Ecology),
Biodiversity & Conservation
|
|
Nor Ezzawanis Abdullah Thani (Mrs.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Vascular (Taxonomy),
Digital Sequence Information (DSI)
|
|
Norzielawati Bt. Salleh (Mrs.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Vascular,
Biodiversity, Forest & Molecular
|
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Nur Kyariatul Syafinie Abdul Majid (Ms.)
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK)
|
Vascular (Ecology),
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Conservation, Forest & Protected Areas
|
|
Nur Supardi Md Noor (Dr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Palms, Vascular,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Conservation, Ecosystems, Environment, Forest & Management
|
|
Ong Poh Teck (Mr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Vascular (Taxonomy), Orchids,
|
|
Rafidah Abdul Rahman (Mrs.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Vascular (Taxonomy),
|
|
Richard Chung Cheng Kong (Dr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Vascular (Taxonomy),
|
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Rusea Go (Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
|
Orchids (Taxonomy), Vascular (Taxonomy), Vascular (Ecology),
Biodiversity, Conservation, Environment, Forest, Management, Protected Areas, Climate Change & Invasive Alien Species
|
|
Sam Yen Yen (Dr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Vascular (Taxonomy), Ginger,
|
|
Saw Leng Guan (Dr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Vascular,
|
|
Shamsul Khamis (Dr.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
|
Vascular (Taxonomy),
Taxonomy
|
|
Siti Aishah Abdullah (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
|
Vascular,
|
|
Siti Munirah Mat Yunoh (Mrs.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Vascular (Taxonomy),
Marine & Coastal
|
|
Suhaida Mustafa (Mrs.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Vascular (Ecology),
Conservation
|
|
Syahida Emiza Suhaimi (Mrs.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Vascular,
|
|
Syazwani Bt. Azeman (Mrs.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Vascular,
Biodiversity, Forest & Science
|
|
Tam Sheh May (Dr.)
Taylor's University
|
Orchids, Vascular,
Biodiversity, Data Analysis, Evolution, Genetics & Molecular
|
|
Tan Swee Lian (Dr.)
Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM)
|
Vascular (Ecology),
Agriculture & Biodiversity
|
|
Ummul Nazrah Abdul Rahman (Ms.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Vascular (Taxonomy),
|
|
Wendy Yong Sze Yee (Ms.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Vascular,
Conservation & Biodiversity
|
|
Yao Tze Leong (Mr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Vascular,
Biodiversity & Ecosystems
|
|
Yong Kien Thai (Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
|
Moss, Vascular (Taxonomy), Ferns (Taxonomy),
Protected Areas, Biodiversity, Conservation, Evolution & Taxonomy
|
PM - Peninsular Malaysia; SBH - Sabah; SWK - Sarawak; SEA - Southeast Asia; W - World;
References
Article
- Allen, D.J., Smith, K.G. & Darwall, W.R.T. (2012). The Status and Distribution of Freshwater Biodiversity in Indo-Burma. , 158 — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
- Khan, W.R., Rosli, Z., Akram, S., Faridah-Hanum, I., Abu Bakar, F., Khan, I.A. & Magiman, M.M. (2023). Diversity and Utilization of Ethnomedical Plants in Sarawak, Borneo. 86 (1), 125 – 152
- Ong, H.C., Norliah, A. & Sorayya, M. (2012). Traditional Knowledge and usage of edible plants among the Temuan villagers in Kampung Tering, Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge 11 (1), 161-165. http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/13428/1/IJTK%2011%281%29%20161-165.pdf
- Ong, H.C., Ruzalila, B.N. & Milow, P. (2011). Traditional Knowledge of medicinal plants among the Malay villagers in Kampung Tanjung Sabtu, Terengganu, Malaysia. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge 10 (3), 460-465. https://umexpert.um.edu.my/file/publication/00002524_79593.pdf
- Ramli, M.R., Malek, S. & Milow, P. (2021). Species composition, diversity and traditional uses of plants in homegardens in Kampung Masjid Ijok, Perak, Malaysia. 22 (4), 1902-1911. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d220437
Book
- Action Plan for Aquatic Invasive Alien Species in Malaysia, 2007. Marine Fishery Resources Development and Management Department , Malaysia. pp. 1-53.
- Biodiversity expedition Sungai Bebar, Pekan, Pahang summary findings, 2005. Peat Swamp Forest Project, UNDP/GEF Funded. pp. 169.
- Asyraf, M., Rahmad, Z., Shahril, Mod Husin & Fariz Amirul Hisyam, Kamarudin (2023). Tumbuhan Bernilai Etnobotani, Hutan Sungai Tiang, Taman Negeri Royal Belum, Perak..
- Go, R. (2013). Paya Indah Wetlands : The Array of Plant Life. Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE), Malaysia. pp. 100.
- Kiew, R., Chung, R.C.K., Saw, L.G. & Soepadmo, E. (2015). Flora of Peninsular Malaysia, Series II: Seed Plants, Volume 5. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia. pp. 319.
- Nik Musa'adah, M., Nik Zanariah, N.M., Nor Azah, M.A. & Norini, H. (2017). Khazanah Perubatan Melayu: Tumbuhan Ubatan Jilid 1. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia. pp. xxiv, 519.
- Yong, W.S.Y., Chua, L.S.L., Lau, K.H., Siti-Nur Fatinah, K., Cheah, Y.H., Yao, T.L., Rafidah, A.R., Lim, C.L., Syahida-Emiza, S., Ummul Nazrah, A.R., Nor-Ezzawanis, A.T., Chew, M.Y., Siti Munirah, M.Y., Julius, A., Phoon, S.N., Sam, Y.Y., Nadiah, I., Ong, P.T., Sarah Nabila, R., Suhaida, M., Muhammad-Alif Azyraf, A., Siti Eryani, S., Yap, J.W., Jutta, M., Azeman, S., Salleh, N., Kiew, R. & Chung, R.C.K. (2021). Malaysia Red List: Plants of Peninsular Malaysia, Volume 1, Issue/No. 1. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia. pp. 107.
Proceeding
- Conservation, Management and Development of Forest Resources: Proceedings of the Malaysia-United Kingdom Programme Workshop, 21-24 October 1996, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (1996)
Report
- Schoppe, S. (2008). Science in CITES: The biology and ecology of the Southeast Asian Box Turtle and its uses and trade in Malaysia. TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
Acknowledgements :- Ms. Aida Salihah Binti Abu Bakar, Mrs. Aziemah Binti Kinan, Ms. Fatin Qurratul 'ain Binti Saberam, Ms. Heng Pooi San, Ms. Mira Farzana Binti Mohamad Mokhtar, Ms. Nur Atirah Binti Muhamad Seharudin, Mrs. Nurfarhana Hizan Binti Hijas, Ms. Nurul Aliya Imra Asyikin Binti Abd Murad, Mrs. Siti Norasikin Binti Ismail, Ms. Siti Zubaidah Binti Abdul Latif, Mr. Tan Kok Kiat & Mr. Yasser Mohamed Arifin
Photo credit :- Yasser Arifin
Species Citation :- Ipomoea aquatica. Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS). Accessed via https://www.mybis.gov.my/sp/7359. [Retrieved 20 April 2024].
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