Family: Convolvulaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 161 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Ipomoea
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. America
Description
The Moonflower, known scientifically as Ipomoea alba, is a captivating plant native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. A member of the Convolvulaceae family, this extraordinary species garners attention primarily for its large, fragrant blooms that unfurl with the setting sun.
Ipomoea alba is a vine that can reach impressive lengths, often entwining itself around trellises, fences, and even other plants in its quest for sunlight. Its heart-shaped leaves and vibrant white flowers create a stunning visual contrast that is further enhanced by the plant’s nocturnal blooming habit. As dusk falls, the Moonflower’s blossoms open, releasing a sweet fragrance that attracts nighttime pollinators such as moths. By morning, these entrancing flowers wilt and close, only to re-emerge the following evening.
The Moonflower has been documented since 1753, as noted in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” by Carl Linnaeus. This plant has since become a cherished addition to nighttime gardens and moonlit patios around the world, providing a touch of ethereal beauty to evening landscapes.
Cultivating Moonflowers in a garden setting requires a bit of care but is generally straightforward. They thrive in well-draining soil and prefer full sun to partial shade conditions. This plant is relatively drought-tolerant once established but benefits from regular watering during its initial growth phase. Moonflowers are typically grown from seeds, which can be soaked or nicked to encourage quicker germination.
Beyond their ornamental value, Moonflowers hold a place in traditional practices and are sometimes used in cultural rituals due to their alluring presence and mysterious blooming cycle. Their ephemeral beauty serves as a reminder of the transient nature of life and the wonders that unfold after dark.
By integrating a Moonflower into your garden, you can experience the undeniable charm of a night-blooming flower that not only transforms your outdoor space but also connects you to the rhythms of nature’s twilight wonders.
Common Names
Deu: mondblüte, weiße prunkwinde
Eng: tropical white morning-glory, moonflower, lilac bell, white moonflower, white morning glory
Por: batata-brava, batatarana, boa-noite, bona-nox, cipó-café, dama-da-noite, flor-da-noite
Afr: maanblom
Swe: månvinda
Spa: viviu
En: Moonflower, Tropical white morning-glory, Moon flower, Moonflower or moon vine, Lilac Bell, White Moonflower, White morning glory, Moon flowers, Giant Moonflower, Killarney fern, Koali-pehu, Moonvine, Tropical white morningglory, Evening glory
Af: Maanblom
Ar: أثمان أبيض
Zh: Yue guang hua, 天茄兒, 月光花
Nl: Maanbloem
Eo: Blanka ipomeo
Et: Kuu-lehtertapp
Fr: Ipomée blanche, Liane Manche de Vierge
De: Mondblüte, Weiße Prunkwinde
Id: Terulak
Ja: Yakai-sō, Yoru-gao
Ml: ഇപോമോയ ആൽബ
Fa: نیلوفر سفید
Pt: Batata-brava, Batatarana, Boa-noite, Bona-nox, Cipó-café, Dama-da-noite, Flor-da-noite
Es: Quiebra-cajete, Viviu, Bejuco de puerco, Bejuco de vaca, Claro de luna, Flor de luna
Sv: Månvinda
Zh-tw: 天茄兒
Th: ชมจันทร์
Zh-hant: 月光花
Vi: Bìm trắng hay tịch nhan
Synonyms
- Convolvulus duartinus (Mure)
- Convolvulus mutabilis (Blanco)
- Ipomoea tubulosa (Willd.)
- Convolvulus maximus (L.f.)
- Calonyction album ((L.) House)
- Ipomoea carinata (Endl.)
- Ipomoea aculeata f. bona-nox ((Spreng.) Voss)
- Ipomoea latiflora ((Desr.) Roem. & Schult.)
- Ipomoea aculeata ((L.) Kuntze)
- Calonyction aculeatum var. lobatum ((Hallier f.) C.Y.Wu)
- Melascus latifolius (Raf.)
- Calonyction aculeatum ((L.) House)
- Ipomoea ambigua (Endl.)
- Convolvulus aculeatus var. bona-nox ((Spreng.) Kuntze)
- Bonanox riparia (Raf.)
- Calonyction rheedei (Colla)
- Convolvulus latiflorus (Desr.)
- Ipomoea bona-nox var. grandiflora (C.B.Clarke)
- Convolvulus macrosolen (Spreng.)
- Calonyction bona-nox var. lobatum (Hallier f.)
- Convolvulus bona-nox (Spreng.)
- Ipomoea bona-nox (L.)
- Convolvulus pulcherrimus (Vell.)
- Euryloma latiflora ((Desr.) Raf.)
- Calonyction bona-nox subvar. glabrum (Hallier f.)
- Calonyction bona-nox subvar. calvum (Hallier f.)
- Calonyction megalocarpum (A.Rich.)
- Ipomoea aculeata var. bona-nox ((Spreng.) Kuntze)
- Calonyction bona-nox subvar. pubescens (Hallier f.)
- Calonyction bona-nox var. normale (Hallier f.)
- Ipomoea aculeata var. heterophylla (Kuntze)
- Calonyction aculeatum f. apopetalum (Allard)
- Calonyction noctolucum ((Herb.) G.Don)
- Calonyction bona-nox ((Spreng.) Bojer)
- Convolvulus muricatus (Blanco)
- Bonanox indica (Raf.)
- Ipomoea krusensternii (Ledeb.)
- Chonemorpha convolvuloides (G.Don)
- Calonyction pulcherrimum (D.Parodi)
- Ipomoea noctiluca (Herb.)
- Calonyction roxburghii (G.Don)
- Ipomoea grandiflora (Lam.)
- Convolvulus grandiflorus (L.f.)
- Ipomoea longiflora (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.)
- Calonyction macrantholeucum (Colla)
- Euryloma grandiflora (Raf.)
- Convolvulus aculeatus (L.)
- Calonyction speciosum (Choisy)
- Calonyction speciosum var. vulgare (Choisy)
- Ipomoea noctiflora (Griff.)
- Calonyction speciosum var. macrantholeucum ((Colla) Choisy)
- Quamoclit bona-nox ((Spreng.) M.Gomes)
- Quamoclit longiflora ((Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) G.Don)
- Calonyction bona-nox subvar. hirsutum (Hallier f.)
- Tremasperma bona-nox (Raf.)
Distribution
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Bahamas (native)
- Belize (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- Central American Pac (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- Florida (native)
- French Guiana (native)
- Galápagos (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Guyana (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Peru (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Suriname (native)
- Trinidad-Tobago (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Windward Is. (native)
- Andaman Is. (introduced)
- Angola (introduced)
- Assam (introduced)
- Bangladesh (introduced)
- Bermuda (introduced)
- Cameroon (introduced)
- Cape Provinces (introduced)
- Caroline Is. (introduced)
- Central African Repu (introduced)
- China North-Central (introduced)
- China South-Central (introduced)
- China Southeast (introduced)
- Colorado (introduced)
- Comoros (introduced)
- Congo (introduced)
- Cook Is. (introduced)
- East Himalaya (introduced)
- Equatorial Guinea (introduced)
- Ethiopia (introduced)
- Fiji (introduced)
- Gabon (introduced)
- Ghana (introduced)
- Guinea (introduced)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
- Hainan (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Ivory Coast (introduced)
- Jawa (introduced)
- Kenya (introduced)
- Kermadec Is. (introduced)
- Korea (introduced)
- KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
- Laos (introduced)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
- Liberia (introduced)
- Line Is. (introduced)
- Madagascar (introduced)
- Malaya (introduced)
- Marianas (introduced)
- Marquesas (introduced)
- Mauritius (introduced)
- Mozambique (introduced)
- Myanmar (introduced)
- Nansei-shoto (introduced)
- Nepal (introduced)
- New Caledonia (introduced)
- New Guinea (introduced)
- New Mexico (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- Nigeria (introduced)
- Norfolk Is. (introduced)
- Northern Provinces (introduced)
- Ogasawara-shoto (introduced)
- Pakistan (introduced)
- Philippines (introduced)
- Pitcairn Is. (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- Réunion (introduced)
- Samoa (introduced)
- Sierra Leone (introduced)
- Society Is. (introduced)
- Solomon Is. (introduced)
- Sri Lanka (introduced)
- St.Helena (introduced)
- Sudan (introduced)
- Sulawesi (introduced)
- Sumatera (introduced)
- Tanzania (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
- Thailand (introduced)
- Togo (introduced)
- Tokelau-Manihiki (introduced)
- Tonga (introduced)
- Tuamotu (introduced)
- Tubuai Is. (introduced)
- Uganda (introduced)
- Vanuatu (introduced)
- Vietnam (introduced)
- West Himalaya (introduced)
- Zaïre (introduced)
- Zimbabwe (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken Nov 3, 2016 by Julien Champ (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 12, 2021 by Aini Razali (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 14, 2021 by BlackBird Byrne (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 8, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 11, 2019 by martinez eleazar (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Nov 8, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 8, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 8, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 26, 2022 by KARTHI RAJAN AGRI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 3, 2016 by Julien Champ (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Nov 6, 2022 by Christophe Christophe (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Nov 8, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 21, 2021 by José Ramos (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Daniel H. Janzen (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Daniel H. Janzen (cc-by-nc-sa)
Habit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 2, 2022 by Lorenzi Harri (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Nov 20, 2021 by pedrogc — (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 8, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Apr 21, 2011 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Apr 21, 2011 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Apr 21, 2011 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Nov 21, 2019 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 21, 2011 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:129128-2)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2928631)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ipomoea alba L.)