Illustrated Investigation of Plant Names and Realities

Sweet Potato original: "甘藷" (gānshǔ). Literally "sweet tuber." While the term was historically used for other yams, by the time of this 1848 publication, it specifically refers to the Ipomoea batatas introduced from the Americas. Vegetable Category: Volume 6

Sweet Potato

The following illustration depicts the trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves of the sweet potato. In this period of Chinese history, the sweet potato was celebrated as a "famine-relief" crop because it could grow in poor soil where rice and wheat failed.

Sweet Potato
Botanical name: Ipomoea batatas. This plant is part of the morning glory family, which is reflected in the shape of its leaves and its climbing, vine-like growth pattern shown in the woodcut.

The text continues describing the cultivation and varieties of the tuber, emphasizing its sweet taste and nutritional value.