The Mysterious Moonflower

Ipomoea alba

Ipomoea alba, otherwise known as Moonflowers are so called because they bloom in the evening. They have large 4 to 6 inch fragrant, white or pink flowers on twining vines. The flowers open quickly in the evening and last through the night, remaining open until touched by the morning Sun.

Moonflowers grow to a height of about 15 feet. The leaves are rather large which allows the plant to be used as an annual in a northern garden. Propagation is usually by seed. The seed should be nicked with a file and then soaked overnight before planting. Moonflowers should be planted when the Moon is new or increasing in light!

Click here to see an .mpg movie of a moonflower opening in real time; It opens in one minute, with the main section deploying in less than 30 seconds!

Thanks goes to Michael E. Abrams, curator of the Florida's Wildflower Page (an award winning site) for permission to use this picture of the mysterious Moonflower. The Florida Wildflower Page can be reached here.

Thanks also to L.G. Robertson at Pocket Mouse Productions for shooting this rather difficult sequence!