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Abstract
18 populations of Ipomoea triloba sampled were classified into four categories of observable morphological differences. Chloroform extract of populations of two of these categories (Groups I & II) exhibited potent chemical activity resulting in the contraction of rabbit intestinal muscles. Concomitantly, the two population groups also possess high concentration of Tannins and Phenol. Tannin was highest in population groups Ia and II (0.56)
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followed by III (0.42) and lowest in IVb (0.29) mgml . The populations contained fairly high phenol content (6.06-
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7.52) except group III which exhibited average values (3.55) mgml . Populations Ia, II and IVa lacked saponin.
Infrared Spectroscopy (IRS) phenol peaks (2925.1-2940.9cm-1) were observed for all populations except group IVb. The differential chemical activity of populations of I. triloba confirmed its complex variable nature and useful taxonomically for intraspecific classification and identification.
Keywords: Chemical extracts, population variation, Ipomoea triloba, haemorrhoid, phenol,