Morning Glory, Bindweed, Ipomoea, Calystegia, Argyreia nervosa
Morning Glory is a common name for over 1,000 species of flowering plants in the family Convolvulaceae. Found this perennial climbing vine growing wildly at the beaches of Batangas. Most Morning Glory flowers unravel into full bloom in the early morning. The flowers usually start to fade a few hours before the petals start showing visible curling. They prefer full sun exposure throughout the day in an environment with well-balanced supply of moisture.
Morning Glory was first known in China for its medicinal uses, due to the laxative properties of its seeds. Ancient Mesoamerican civilizations used the morning glory species Ipomoea alba to convert the latex from the Castilla elastica tree and also the guayule plant to produce bouncing rubber balls. The sulfur in morning glory's juice served to vulcanize the rubber, a process predating Charles Goodyear's discovery by at least 3,000 years. Aztec priests in Mexico were also known to use the plants hallucinogenic properties. The seeds of morning glory can produce a similar effect to LSD when taken in large doses.
