KANG KUNG (WATER CONVOLVULUS)
Kangkung or water convolvulus has a common name known as water spinach. Its natural habitat is shallow fresh water bodies such as stream, river, pond, swamp or lakes.
Kangkung has two species and many cultivars.
(A) Kangkung Darat (Land)
Scientific name Ipomoea reptan
(B) Kangkung Air (Water)
Scientific name Ipomoea aquatica
Ipomoea reptan grows on land but needs plenty of moisture. It can tolerate water retention soil or wet area but water must be free flowing to supply oxygen to the root. Without sufficient oxygen at root zone, it cannot absorb iron and the young leaves will turn yellow. It has crunchy tender green stem and pointy narrow arrow shape leaves. The flower is white trumpet shape just like the morning glory. The flower forms seed pods. Each pod has four seeds. If allowed to grow without harvesting, it sprawls as vines on land rooting at every internode in contact with moisture. It is a parennial plant. When harvested by cutting, the root zones will develop new shoots and regrow as a clump of many branches.
Ipomoea aquatica grows in water. It floats on water surface and has flower that is pinkish in colour. It has green stem but very firm and fibrous. The leaves are greener and broader.
Kangkung can be grown easily using hydroponics method.
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