Common name: Moonflower vine, Moon vine, दूधियाकलमी Dudhiakalmi (Hindi), गुलचांदी Gulchandi (Marathi), Candra pushpa (Kannada), Naganamukkorai (Tamil)
Botanical name: Ipomoea alba Family: Convolvulaceae (morning glory family)
Moon vine is a vigorous twining vine that is very fast growing in really
hot weather. Mon vine is a close relative of the morning glory, and
has similar heart shaped leaves that are a rich green and 4-8
inches long. However, unlike its cousine, its buds open in
late afternoon and shrivel up by morning. For this reason, it is sometimes
also called evening glory.
Although the individual flowers of moon vine have a short life,
they are of large size, and are produced in large numbers.
These are held on a stem that bears several buds simultaneously, not all of
which bloom the same night. The long 4 in buds are also very
attractive especially in the hours just before the flower opens.
And what a fabulous flower the moon vine produces - they
are fluted funnels sculpted in purest alabaster white. About the diameter of a
saucer measuring 5-6 inches across. As if the moonflower was not
already enchanting enough, it also has a delightful fragrance to complement
its beauty and perfume warm summer nights.
Native to American tropics, moon vine can be seen growing wild in India.
| Photographed in
Lonavala, Maharashtra. |
Identification credit: Navendu Pagé
|
aturalized