Moon vine

Moon flower vine or Moon vine 

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.

Pic:Kumbalangi EranakulamDt.Kerala.INDIA

Love-in-a-mist - Stinking passionflower

Love-in-a-mist  -  Stinking passionflower 

പൂച്ചപഴം

Botanical name: Passiflora foetida    

Family: Passifloraceae 

(passion flower family)

Love-in-a-mist is a creeping vine which has an edible fruit and leaves that have a mildly rank aroma. It is native to northern South America and the West Indies. The stems are thin, wiry and woody, covered with sticky yellow hairs. The leaves are three- to five-lobed and viscid-hairy. They give off an unpleasant odor when crushed. The flowers are white to pale cream colored, about 5-6 cm diameter. The fruit is globose, 2-3 cm diameter, yellowish-orange to red when ripe, and has numerous black seeds embedded in the pulp; the fruit are eaten and the seeds dispersed by birds. The bracts of this plant serve as insect traps, but it is as yet unknown whether the plant digests and gains nourishment from the trapped insects or if it merely uses the bracts as a defensive mechanism to protect its flowers and fruit. This is still an issue of debate and research among carnivorous plant enthusiasts. 

native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and much of South America.

 This species can be helpful in treating digestive problems, including dyspepsia and diarrhea; or used as an astringent and expectorant for nervous conditions and spasms.

Pic:Kumbalangi EranakulamDt.Kerala.INDIA