Ipomoea alba L.

Frost tender, twining perennial usually grown as an annual, with heart-shaped leaves and trumpet-shaped white flowers opening at dusk in summer to autumn.  To 5m.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘Native of the West-Indies, where it grows to a very great length, trailing its branches along the ground and climbing lofty trees.  It is an annual of very rapid growth, but does not readily flower.  Linnaeus remarks, that in the garden of Mr. Clifford, it grew from the seed to the length of twelve feet in about eight weeks, but produced no blossoms.  Introduced to this country by John, Earl of Bute, in 1773.’  [BM t.752/1804].  Ipomoea latifolia was figured in the Botanical Register [BR f.8891825]. Ipomoea magnifica was figured in the Floricultural Cabinet, raised from seed sent from India.  [FC p.267/1838].

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1843 catalogue.

Notes

Ipomoea bona-nox Heyne ex Steud. (1840) = Ipomoea grandiflora Roxb.

Published Oct 05, 2009 - 01:31 PM | Last updated Jul 16, 2010 - 03:28 PM


Illustrated are heart-shaped leaves and trumpet-shaped white flowers.  Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.752, 1804.

Ipomoea alba L. | BM t.752/1804 | BHL

More details about Ipomoea alba L.
Family Convolvulaceae
Category
Region of origin

Tropical regions

Synonyms
  • Ipomoea bona-nox L.
  • Ipomoea latifolia Lindl.
  • Convolvulus aculeatus var. bona-nox (L.) Kuntze
  • Calonyction bona-nox (L.) Bojer
  • Ipomoea magnifica Hallier f.
Common Name

Belle de nuit, Good-night, Moonflower, Moonvine

Name in the Camden Park Record

Ipomoea Bona nox 

Confidence level high