Common Morning Glory, Tall morning-glory
Ipomoea purpurea

Family: Convolvulaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Blue, Pink, Purple, Red, White. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Spreading or horizontal, Variable spread.

Ipomoea purpurea is a ANNUAL CLIMBER growing to 2.5 m (8ft 2in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 2.5

Where it is found

Scrub and waste places. Stream banks, disturbed or waste areas.

Central America - Mexico to the West Indies.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

The seed is anthelmintic, diuretic and laxative. It is used in the treatment of oedema, oliguria, ascariasis and constipation. The seed contains small quantities of the hallucinogen LSD. This has been used medicinally in the treatment of various mental disorders.

Anthelmintic: Expels parasites from the gut.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Hallucinogenic: Causes the mind to hallucinate.

Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.

Other

Rating: 0

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Arbor, Container, Specimen. Requires a fertile well-drained loam in a sunny position. The plant is not very frost hardy, but it can be grown outdoors as a tender annual in temperate zones. A very ornamental plant, there are several named varieties. The flowers are blue, but they turn more pink later in the day. Special Features: Not North American native, Wetlands plant, Attractive flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water, or scarify the seed, and sow in individual pots in a greenhouse in early spring. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 weeks at 22°c. Plants are extremely resentful of root disturbance, even when they are quite small, and should be potted up almost as soon as they germinate. Grow them on fast in the greenhouse and plant them out into their permanent positions after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection such as a cloche until they are growing away actively.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual Climber

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Pharbitis purpurea.