Kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica)

Family: Convolvulaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Ipomoea aquatica or commonly known in various names such as but not limited to Swamp Morning Glory, Chinese Water Spinach, Swamp Cabbage, and Kangkong is a fast-growing, annual or perennial plant with sprawling stems of up to 2-3 m long over the ground, float in water, or twine into other plants for support. It is a very popular leaf vegetable in Asia. The leaves and young shoots are cooked or eaten raw.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Shoots, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

mild-flavoured spinach. — Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked.; The tasty leaves are produced all year round.; The youngest shoot tips can be added to salads, older leaves are cooked and make a mild-flavoured spinach.; The leaves can be stir-fried, steamed, boiled for a few minutes or lightly fried in oil and eaten in various dishes.

Habitat & North American Range

Moist, marshy or inundated localities, shallow pools, ditches, rice fields, forming dense masses. Also found along roadsides at elevations from sea-level up to 1,000 metres. (Zone 10)