...Their beauty is noticeable in the morning. They present a picture of a fairyland decorated with bright colours, greased and moistened by the morning dew. What plant could possibly holds the glory of the day in the morning? Only the morning glory could do that.
General description
The morning glory is any creeping or twining climbing flowering plant known to belong to the family Convolvulaceae. They belongs to a genus called Ipomoea also known to be herbaceous, may have stem tuber, colourful flowers and seeds. Ipomoea are generally called morning glory. Their fruit is usually dry capsule which later become dehiscent (breaks open) when matured. Seeds are enclosed in a capsule. The leaves comes in different shapes and sizes. Some are cordate, narrow with a cordate base or lobed in two's' given it a palmate leaf shape.
Other species of the genus have a common name in which they are refer as. Morning glory as supposed was given because of the period in which they blossom. Based on observation, the flower start blossom from the 6th to 11th hour of the day and then wilt marking the end of pollination activities by insects; there could be exemptions. This is unlike other flowering plant with a prolong flower blossom for at least 12 hours of the day. Their bloom is beautiful in the morning.
The morning glory is any creeping or twining climbing flowering plant known to belong to the family Convolvulaceae. They belongs to a genus called Ipomoea also known to be herbaceous, may have stem tuber, colourful flowers and seeds. Ipomoea are generally called morning glory. Their fruit is usually dry capsule which later become dehiscent (breaks open) when matured. Seeds are enclosed in a capsule. The leaves comes in different shapes and sizes. Some are cordate, narrow with a cordate base or lobed in two's' given it a palmate leaf shape.
Other species of the genus have a common name in which they are refer as. Morning glory as supposed was given because of the period in which they blossom. Based on observation, the flower start blossom from the 6th to 11th hour of the day and then wilt marking the end of pollination activities by insects; there could be exemptions. This is unlike other flowering plant with a prolong flower blossom for at least 12 hours of the day. Their bloom is beautiful in the morning.
Morning glories are widely distributed in the tropics and
subtropics of the world. They are either annual or perennial plants with about 500 species.
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| Photos by Elisha E. B. © 2017 |
Uses
Some of the species with tubers and beautiful flowers have
been domesticated for food such as sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batata) and as well as for aesthetic purpose example include I. carnea, I. quamoclit (Cypress Vine). Other uses of the Morning glory
are identified to have medicinal value of which many have been utilized traditionally.
Ipomoea are a diverse species with a multidimensional uses to man and wildlife. The leaves are a good source of food to caterpillars of butterfly and moth while
tubers are fed upon by nematodes, plant hoppers and rodents. Some species leaves are used as vegetables while tubers are consumed as food, a good sources of energy. Some species have been used as repellent against herbivores.There could be more values yet to be discovered from these members of the angiosperm.
Propagation
Many members of this family have a unique method in which they can be propagated and because of the variation in seasonality and vegetative characteristics, they can either be propagated from tubers, creeping stem or seed. Most of the Members are seasonal while few such as I. aquatic, I. pes-caprae, I. carnea subsp. fistulosa are observed to flower all year round.
Propagation
Many members of this family have a unique method in which they can be propagated and because of the variation in seasonality and vegetative characteristics, they can either be propagated from tubers, creeping stem or seed. Most of the Members are seasonal while few such as I. aquatic, I. pes-caprae, I. carnea subsp. fistulosa are observed to flower all year round.
Identifying and differentiating
Ipomoea are complex to differentiate in terms of flowers. Some species may possess same flower colour. So it is best to compare similar species along side with the leaves. Hybrids can pose a great challenge for identification. The best approach is to meet an expert of Plant taxonomist.
Online materials sourced
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ipomoea
www.theplantlist.org/browse/A/Convolvulaceae/Ipomoea/
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