More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
Optimized for viewing on desktop or laptop
Nightshades, Bindweeds, and Gooseweeds, of Zihuatanejo
ORDER SOLANALES
Moonflower
Ipomoea alba
Flowers by Colour
-Vascular Plants (Phylum Tracheophyta)
-Flowering Plants (Subphylum Angiospermae)
-Nightshades, Bindweeds, Gooseweeds, and Allies (Order Solanales)
-Bindweed Family (Family Convolvulaceae)
-Subfamily Convolvuloideae
-Tribe Ipomoeeae
-Morning-Glories (Genus Ipomoea)
-Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)
This plant is a vigorous, twining climber, capable of reaching several meters in length as it scrambles over fences, trellises, or other vegetation. It bears heart-shaped leaves and produces thick, green stems that coil around supports. Its most remarkable feature is the flower: a large, trumpet-shaped bloom that can reach 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) across. The petals are pure white, sometimes with a faint greenish or creamy centre and they reflect moonlight—hence the name “moonflower.” A defining characteristic of Ipomoea alba is its nocturnal blooming behaviour. The tightly furled buds begin to unfurl rapidly at dusk, often opening fully within minutes. The flowers release a sweet, powerful fragrance that attracts night-active pollinators, particularly moths such as hawk moths.
Description
• Ipomoea alba, commonly known as moonflower or tropical white morning-glory, is a vigorous perennial climbing vine in the morning-glory family (Convolvulaceae). It has long twining stems, broad, heart-shaped leaves, and large, fragrant, trumpet-shaped white flowers that typically open in the evening and remain open through the night, closing by morning. The flowers attract nocturnal pollinators, particularly hawkmoths. Its fruit is a rounded capsule containing several dark seeds.
Range
• Ipomoea alba is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, from Mexico and Central America through the Caribbean to South America. It is also cultivated and naturalized in many other tropical regions. It is native to Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.
Habitat
• It grows in tropical forests, woodland edges, thickets, scrub, and disturbed areas, often climbing over shrubs, trees, fences, and other supports. It favours warm conditions, good sunlight, and moist, well-drained soils, but can also persist in seasonally dry environments. Its rapid twining growth allows it to cover surrounding vegetation.