be translated as something like "Hollow-stemmed vegetable" or "Empty-hearted vegetable." Go figure. Anyhoo, here's the low-down from Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ipomoea_aquatica   "Ipomoea aquatica  is a semi- aquatic   tropical  plant grown as a  leaf vegetable . It is known in English as  Water Spinach, Water Morning Glory, Water Convolvulus , or by