Common Morning-Glory

Common Morning-Glory (Ipomoea purpurea) is in the bindweed family family (Convolvulaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 955 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in September.

Nationally it blooms mainly from August to October, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.

When to photograph Common Morning-Glory: observations by month (U.S.)

About Common Morning-Glory

Ipomoea purpurea, the common morning-glory, tall morning-glory, or purple morning glory, is a species in the genus Ipomoea, native to Mexico and Central America. Like all morning glories the plant entwines itself around structures, growing to a height of 2–3 metres (6 ft 7 in–9 ft 10 in) tall. The leaves are heart-shaped and the stems are covered with brown hairs. The flowers are trumpet-shaped, predominantly blue to purple or white, 3–6 centimetres (1.2–2.4 in) diameter.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Common Morning-Glory by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related wildflowers (bindweed family)

Field BindweedConvolvulus arvensis

TievineIpomoea cordatotriloba

Wild Potato VineIpomoea pandurata

Hedge BindweedCalystegia sepium

Texas bindweedConvolvulus equitans

Alamo vineDistimake dissectus

White Morning-gloryIpomoea lacunosa

Photography tips

• Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
• Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
• Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
• Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.

FAQ