When fresh, the root is black externally, white and milky within, and varies in size according to its age.

Ipomoea purga is rather difficult to break down, but if triturated with cream of tartar, sugar of milk, or other hard salts, the process of pulverization is much easier, and the powder rendered much finer.

[2] When in powder form in order to ingest, the color is a pale grayish brown.

[3] Called "mechoacán" and "mechoacan potato" by the English, the root contains convolvulin, which is a powerful cathartic.

In higher quantities, it can lead to intense hypercatharsis, potentially resulting in fatal outcomes.