BATKTAS, or SWEET POTATO (C0/1VO/r/a//8 batatas, Or batatas &gulls, the genus batatas having recently been separated from wizvot•ulus (q.v.), chiefly upon account of the four-celled ovary), a perennial plant with long creeping stems,. heart-shaped ]eaves on long stalks, and variously lobed, large purple flowers much resembling those. of the best known species of couvolvulus, and very large oblong acuminated tubers. It is a native of the East Indies, but is now cultivated in all tropical and sub-tropical countries for its tubers, which are highly esteemed as an article of food, and are eaten either roasted or boiled; they are sweet, wholesome, and nutritious, but *somewhat laxative. The B. forms, next to maize, the principal food of the poorer classes in some parts of America. Its cultivation is very easy; it is readily propagated by tubers or by cuttings of the stem, requires little attention, and soon produces its tubers. In hot-houses in 13ritain, these are without difficulty obtained at 1 lb. or 2 lbs. weight. The cultivation
of the B. has been introduced into the s. of Europe. In America, it is little cultivated to the u. of New Jersey, and even there is inferior. The leaves are used as a boiled vegetable. It is the 13., or sweet potato, which is usually meant by the older English writers, when they mention potatoes. Its tubers were imported into England by way of Spain, and sold as a delicacy, before the potato was known—batatas :7;anieulata, or convoltulus paniculatus, a nearly allied species, is cultivated in the same way as the common 13., and its tubers are similar in quality.—To the new genus batatas, has been referred also the plant formerly known as ipenntea niacrorhiza, now batatas jalapa, so called from supposed purgative qualities of the root, which, however, it is found not to possess, being, white, insipid, saccharine, and farinaceous, and of great size, 50 to 60 lbs. in weight. The plant inhabits sandy soils in Georgia and Carolina.