Botany – What kind of plant is this?
The sweet potato, also called sweet potato or white potato, is an annual herb belonging to the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae). The plant forms underground rhizomes that develop into tubers, i.e., sweet potatoes. Their yellowish, reddish, or brownish rind is always uneven. A tuber can weigh up to 3 kg, but only tubers up to 500 g are commercially viable. The color of the tuber varies from whitish, yellowish, brownish, or purple. The flesh is slightly mealy and also varies in color from light whitish, yellowish, brownish, and red. Their flavor is somewhat reminiscent of chestnuts. Sweet potatoes contain high levels of sugar and starch.
The climbing plant grows 10 to 20 cm tall, bushy, and creeps along the ground. The sweet potato's leaves are heart- or egg-shaped and about 5-10 cm long, and depending on the variety, they are light green or rich dark red. The flowers are funnel-shaped and bloom from July to September, depending on the variety, in lavender, lilac to light purple, or reddish-white.
Cultural history – How did the sweet potato come to us?
Sweet potatoes originate from Central and South America and were long cultivated only in the tropics. They are said to be one of the oldest vegetables known to mankind. Freed slaves brought the tuber from America to Africa. They are one of the most important crops worldwide. In Europe, their history stretches back over 500 years to the beginnings of European colonization of the "New World." The sweet potato is thus even more deeply rooted in our cultural history than the conventional potato. In Europe, they are cultivated in Spain and Portugal. The largest producer worldwide is China.
Popular varieties: Beauregard, Centennial, Eland, Gem, Goldrush, Jewel, Nemagold
Varieties with beautiful flowering: Indica, Purga
TEXT: Victoria Wegner
