There is no question that the morning glory flower is one of the most commonly grown garden plants around. Its popularity is likely due to its massive variety. The morning glory is simply a common name for over 9,000 species that share the convolvulaceae family name. There are at least 50 genera in this family, some of which include the ever popular ipomoea, calystegia and operculina varieties. These plants tend to grow their best in temperate and subtropical regions, but are most commonly seen blooming in areas of tropical America and Asia. They are known for their dainty, saucer-shaped blossoms that primarily grow from vines, but may also be seen sprouting from bushes. Their spectrum of color is large and various. You may see them in a single hue or they may be bi-colored in shades of deep and light blue, scarlet red, purple, pink and white.
Although the morning glory flower is most frequently used as a decoration for fences, arches and trellises, they also have a wide variety of other fascinating applications. In some cultures the ipomoea aquatica variety of morning glory is considered a delightful green that can be used in a number of dishes. They are frequently placed in salads, stir fries, mixed with noodles, or simply used as a garnish. Although morning glory seeds are considered to be mildly toxic and have side effects such as hallucinations, nausea and drowsiness, many people still consider them to have powerful medicinal effects. In China, the morning glory was once considered a highly effective laxative; to the native Indians of Mexico, both ipomoea tricolor and turbina corymbosa were frequently used in rituals and medicine for their supposed soothing properties. In folk medicine, the boiled leaves of certain species are used as a diuretic; the seeds are chewed to aid in soothing stomach pains, while the whole plant may be cooked and turned into a topical ointment to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Despite the vast amount of blossoms available, the morning glory flower has a relatively humble, yet sweet symbolism attached to it. This flower simply represents affection. As a gift, these beautiful flowers can be given in nearly any way imaginable – from the traditional bouquets to pressed or dried single blossoms. When given as an arrangement, you might also take color into account. That is to say, your message may generally express a feeling of affection, but that affection might be tinted with the fiery passion of a red blossom, the calm of a blue one, or the spirituality of a purple one.