Origin and Habitat: Southern Africa, Madagascar, Botswana, Mozambique, Angola; Namibia; Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Habitat: Open woodland and savanna, grassland with scattered shrubs, rocky and sandy soils. Altitude range 0–1525 m.

• Ipomoea bolusiana Schinz

• Ipomoea bolusiana Schinz
• Ipomoea angustisecta Engl.
• Ipomoea bolusiana var. abbreviata Hallier f.
• Ipomoea bolusiana var. elongata Hallier f.
• Ipomoea bolusiana var. pinnatipartita Verdc.
• Ipomoea mesenterioides Hallier f.
• Ipomoea praetermissa Rendle
• Ipomoea rubro-viridis Baker
• Ipomoea simplex Hook. non Thunb.
• Ipomoea simplex var. obtusisepala Rendle in Baker & Rendle

Description: Habit: Perennial dwarf shrub, glabrous with caudiciform rootstock.
Rottstock (Caudex): This plant has a thick tuberous, above-ground subglobose or somewhat fusiform root-stock, 5?20 cm. in diam.
Stems: One or several, erect or prostrate, woody at the base, glabrous, terete, usually slender. Length 0.2-3 metres.
Leaves: Widely spaced, narrow, covered in fine silver hairs. Leaf lamina palmately 3?9 sect, with very narrow, linear or filiform segments 20?70

Notes: Ipomoea bolusianaSN|29181]]SN|1008]] is often confused with the very similar Ipomoea holubiiSN|1008]]SN|29181]]. In fact the the caudex, flower of both are very similar if not identical. The difference seems to be that the leaves of the "holubii" are not needle-like but more elliptical lanceolate, slightly larger and longer and more spaced. And also the viny stems are longer and flowers more numerous.

Cultivation and Propagation: Ipomoea bolusianaSN|1008]]SN|1008]] is an old favourite that’s easy to grow and puts on a fanciful display, but it takes years to develop and is not a plant for the impatient gardener. It needs a well-drained soil (e.g. use a mixture for cactus + normal potting soil) with the caudex planted largely above the soil surface. It can be planted “on” the ground, it will root soon, and the chances of getting rot are smaller this way rather than planted underground (although it grows more slowly). It needs regular watering during the active growing season without too much water. Let the soil become rather dry before watering again. Stop watering gradually when the stalk dries out after blooming in summer, or else the bulbs may rot. Start watering when the stalk starts growing again in late winter.
Give it plenty of sun, but keep the caudex bulb shaded. Protect from heat in summer. A clay pot is best.

Uses: Ipomoea bolusianaSN|1008]]SN|1008]] has an edible tuber, the small tuberous roots are roasted or boiled.