About Operculina turpethum (L.) Silva Manso
Operculina turpethum (synonym Ipomoea turpethum) is a plant species in the morning glory family. Its common names include turpeth, fue vao, and St. Thomas lidpod. This species is a large, robust, perennial, herbaceous, hairy vine that grows 4 to 5 meters in length. Its known distribution includes India (specifically the North Circars and Deccan region, up to 3000 ft), East Africa, Papua New Guinea, and Australia, where it occurs in both Queensland and the Northern Territory, near Shoal Bay and Maria Island. The leaves of this species are alternate, very variable in shape, ranging from ovate to oblong, with a truncate or cordate base, and are approximately 5.5 to 15 centimeters long. Its flowers are white, large, axillary, and solitary. The fruit is a capsule that reaches up to 1.5 centimeters in diameter, with conspicuous enlarged sepals and thickened pedicles. This plant is not a purgative, it is a mild laxative.
