The name Ipomoea is derived from two Greek words, ips meaning ‘worm’ or ‘bindweed’ and homoios meaning ‘like’, referring to the creeping and twining habit typical of plants of the genus. The species name oenotheroides means ‘resembling the genus Oenothera’, commonly called evening primrose.

There are more than 500 plant species under the genus Ipomoea, occurring in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and 49 species are indigenous to southern Africa. This genus is well known for its showy morning glory vines, but its most famous member is probably the sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas, which is indigenous to Central and South America, but is now grown as a crop throughout the world.