How to identify Common morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea)

How to identify Common morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea)

Common morning glory, also known as Purple morning-glory

Common morning glory is distinguishable by its heart-shaped leaves and vibrant, funnel-shaped flowers that exhibit a wide range of colors including purple, blue, pink, or white hues. With a typical climbing habit, it can rapidly grow up to 6-10 feet (approximately 180-300 cm) in length. This plant has a robust nature, thriving in various soil types, notably in well-drained, sandy substrates, and is known for its aggressive self-seeding capability. The hardy seeds of common morning glory benefit from pre-sowing treatments such as scarification and soaking to enhance germination.

Lifespan: Annual

Plant Type: Vine, Herb

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Common morning glory

Heart-shaped leaves with smooth margins and pointed apex, 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm) long.

Vibrant, funnel-shaped flowers in colors like purple, blue, pink, 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) wide.

Distinctive globoid capsule fruit with dark, wedge-shaped seeds, 1/3 inch (8.5 mm) diameter.

Brown-purple twining stem with fine hairs, 0.25 inches (6 mm) thick, climbing habit.

Thrives in various soils, self-seeding, robust nature with rapid growth up to 6-10 feet (180-300 cm).

Detailed Traits of Common morning glory

Leaf Features

Common morning glory has medium green, heart-shaped leaves with a distinctive, pointed apex and smooth margins. Each leaf is borne on a long petiole, allowing them to display prominently. The leaves are typically 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm) in length and 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) in width. The texture is smooth to the touch, featuring a prominent, slightly raised venation pattern that radiates from the central vein, adding a detailed structure to the foliage.

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Flower Features

The flowers of common morning glory are vibrant and showy, opening in the morning and fading by the afternoon. They bloom from mid-summer to fall. The blossoms range in colors including white, pink, crimson, purple, and blue, measuring about 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) in diameter. The petals are arranged symmetrically in a funnel shape and lack a noticeable scent. These key characteristics make common morning glory a visually striking plant in any garden.

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Stem Features

The stem of common morning glory is distinguished by its brown-purple hue and is covered with fine hairs, giving it a distinctive, hairy texture. The stems are tender, typically growing to a moderate thickness of about 0.25 inches (6 mm). They exhibit a twining growth habit, aiding the plant in climbing and sprawling over surfaces. Branching is sparse, with a primary focus on vertical growth through support structures, making the stem's characteristics crucial for identification.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of common morning glory manifests as a distinctive globoid capsule, roughly 1/3 inch (8.5 mm) in diameter. Upon maturation, it reveals its dark, wedge-shaped seeds, which are securely housed within. The capsule's sturdy composition and the rich color of the seeds are notable characteristics contributing to its recognition. These features, especially the unique shape and hue of the seeds, aid in the straightforward identification of common morning glory's fruit among plant enthusiasts.

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Common morning glory and Their Similar Plants

Sweet potato vine vs. Common morning glory: What's The Difference?

While most assume that the sweet potato vine is a potato, it is not considered nightshade. However, sweet potatoes and potatoes both belong to the order of Solanales. Its culinary use is wide and can be fried, baked or boiled.

Blue morning glory vs. Common morning glory: What's The Difference?

Blue morning glory (Ipomoea indica) is a twining evergreen vine native to tropical environments around the world. In the morning, the plant's flowers bloom and are a bright blue. By the end of the afternoon, the blossoms fade to a purple-pink color. New flowers appear daily from late spring to early fall.

Cypress vine vs. Common morning glory: What's The Difference?

Cypress vine is a beautiful vining plant with fern-like foliage and star-shaped red flowers. Cypress vine is resistant to deer and attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. It thrives in moist but not soggy soil, with full sun and a structure to climb on. This striking plant is toxic like its cousin, the Morning Glory.

Mexican morning glory vs. Common morning glory: What's The Difference?

This vining annual, the mexican morning glory, is a great climber for trellises, with heart-shaped leaves and showy blue blooms. Morning glories get their name because they open in the morning and close in the brighter afternoon light.

Moonflower vs. Common morning glory: What's The Difference?

Moonflower (Ipomoea alba) is a flowering plant that blooms at night. Moonflower is also called the moonflower or moon vine, and it is native to Argentina, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Florida in the United States. Moonflower is cultivated for ornamental purposes and is considered an invasive species in some areas.

Mile-A-Minute Vine vs. Common morning glory: What's The Difference?

Mile-A-Minute Vine (Ipomoea cairica) is seen all over the Hawaiian Islands because centuries ago, Polynesian explorers carried in their oceangoing canoes. It contains hydrogen cyanide so never follow the ancient Polynesians' example of roasting the tubers of the plant and eating them. It is always considered an invasive weed.

Man of the earth vs. Common morning glory: What's The Difference?

Man of the earth, or Ipomoea pandurata, is a vining perennial native to North America. Bees and hummingbirds are fond of the white flowers. It grows quickly, and the tubers in the ground are difficult to remove, so it may cause problems for the garden.

Saltmarsh morning-glory vs. Common morning glory: What's The Difference?

Saltmarsh morning-glory (Ipomoea sagittata) is a trailing perennial vine that will grow to 1.8 m long. Native to the southern United States, it can be found in Florida’s marshes and mangrove swamps. It blooms in summer and fall with showy, funnel-shaped pink to purple flowers that bloom in the morning and close in the afternoon. Thrives in full sun to partial shade.

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Key Facts About Common morning glory

Attributes of Common morning glory

Lifespan

Annual

Plant Type

Vine, Herb

Plant Height

2 m to 3 m

Spread

90 cm to 1.8 m

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

3 cm to 6 cm

Flower Color

White

Purple

Blue

Pink

Red

Stem Color

Purple

Green

Red

White

Blue

Leaf type

Deciduous

The Toxicity of Common morning glory

Slightly Toxic to Humans

Toxic to Dogs

Toxic to Cats

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Scientific Classification of Common morning glory

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Nightshades, bindweeds, gooseweeds, and allies

Family

Morning-glory

Genus

Morning glories

Species

Common morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea)

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Distribution Map of Common morning glory

Common morning glory is native from the southern US through much of South America, growing in forests, disturbed areas, and wastelands. It has been widely introduced in tropical and subtropical countries, along with much of the US and Canada. In the southern US, South Africa, Australia, and throughout the tropics, it is listed as an invasive and noxious weed.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Common morning glory

A Comprehensive Guide to Common morning glory How to Grow and Care for Common morning glory