Water spinach is a aquatic plant belong to the morning glory family. It is a popular leaf vegetable in Sri Lanka as well as other asian countries. The plant is native to east asian countries and introduced from China to Sri lanka as a vegetable. It is now naturalized throughout the country and commonly found near the water bodies such as border of paddy fields, marsh land or close to tank in dry zone. Also cultivate commercially in populated areas.

Water Morning Glory - Spinach - Kan Kun

Common Classification
Common Names	Water Morning Glory, Chinese Spinach, Swamp Cabbage, Water Spinach
Scientific Name	Ipomoea aquatica
Sinhalese Name	Kan Kun
Scientific Classification
Family	Convolvulaceae
Genus	Ipomoea
Species	I.aquatica
Synonym	Ipomoea repens, Ipomoea subdentata
Ecology
Category	Vegetable
Growth Habit	Small Vine Shrub
Duration	Perennial
Status - Native	Introduced
Status (Controlling)	Cultivate Natural
Propriety
Culinary / Edible	Yes
Use as Herb	Yes
Other Use	n/a
Poisoned / Toxin	No
Identification
	Flower of The Kan kun or Water Spinach Flowers bloom before the morning and wilt before the noon

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