Pink Morning Glory

The pink morning glory, Ipomoea carnea or canudo-de-pita in Brazil,  is the genus in the flowering plant family Convolvulaceae, with over 500 species.  Ipomoea carnea is a shrub, and the stem can be used in making paper.  The plant contains a component used in sedatives and anticonvulsant, it also has anticarconogenic and  oxytoxic properties.  Attractive to bees, butterflies and birds but the seeds are hazardous to cattle.  The genus grows throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world.  

It is only goodness which gives extras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the flowers. ~ Arthur Conan Doyle

Took these photos around noon---the flowers were beginning to wilt.

Behind the 30-foot statue of the Risen Christ at the Monasterio de Tarlac.

 

Linking to Floral Friday Fotos

Today's Flowers

Morning Glory

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.

 

Linking to Floral Friday Fotos and Today's Flower