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Taxonomy
Sweet potato is the common name applied to a perennial, trailing herb of the morning glory family. It is planted primarily for its thick, edible roots, called sweet potato.
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The sweet potato is not related to the potato! |
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Background
The sweet potato belongs to the family Convolvulaceae. It is classified as
Ipomoea batatas.
 The species called
wild sweet-potato vine, manroot, or man of the earth is classified as
Ipomoea pandurata. This species is not edible, but it is frequently cultivated as an ornamental vine in the eastern United States.
The sweet potato yields an important starch, which is used commercially for sizing textiles and papers, for the manufacture of adhesives, and in laundries. In the United States, large quantities of sweet potatoes, either freshly harvested or shredded and dried are used as feed for livestock.
History
Scientists believe that sweet potato was domesticated more than 5,000 years ago in the Americas. The crop was reportedly introduced into China in the late 16th century. Because of its hardy nature and broad adaptability, and because its planting material can be rapidly multiplied from very few roots, sweet potato spread through Asia, Africa, and Latin America during the 17th and 18th centuries. It is now grown in more developing countries than any other root crop.
Data from the International Potato Centre
 Our
Product
Phytocultures Ltd. has identified the sweet potato as a crop for the
future due to its wide adaptability, ease of propagation and high
value as a source of vitamins and other nutrients.
In preparation for growth in use of sweet potatoes, Phytocultures Ltd.
has assembled a collection of commercial varieties suitable for North
American, South America, African and Asian clients.
Contact us for additional production
information or to find out details on how to propagate sweet potatoes
using our propagation technology.
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