Wednesday, September 7, 2011

A Tale of Two Morning Glories

Common Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea)
     The other day, my daughter pointed out that blue morning glories were once again winding their way up the side fence and gate.  She also reminded me that a more purple morning glories was trellising its way up the fence on the other side of the yard.  Yesterday, in the dampness of the stormy morning, I took the photos you see.   Then I did a little research.
      I discovered I have two kinds of morning glories growing in my yard.  Look at the same of the leaves.  See the difference?  Now, look at the shape of the lowers themselves?  That's different, too.

Ivyleaf Morning Glory (Ipomoea hederacea)
 

Also, I learned that both of these morning glories originated in Central America.  They were introduced as an ornamental plant, but they 'escaped from gardens and became naturalized,' according to my National Audubon Society Field Guide.  Both bloom from June to October so we will be enjoying them for awhile still.