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|genus=Ipomoea
|genus=Ipomoea
|species=alba
|species=alba
|common_name=Moonflower, Moon Vine, Giant White Moonflower
|common_name=Moonflower, Moon Vine, Giant White Moonflower, Belle de nuit
|habit=climber
|habit=vine-climber
|Min ht metric=cm
|Min ht box=5
|Min ht metric=m
|Max ht box=20
|Max ht metric=m
|origin=Argentina to Mexico & Florida
|lifespan=perennial
|exposure=sun
|water=frequent, regular
|features=flowers
|flower_season=early summer, mid summer, late summer, early fall, mid fall, late fall
|flowers=white
|Min Temp Num=45
|Temp Metric=°F
|Temp Metric=°F
|sunset_zones=15-17, 23-27, as annual elsewhere
|image=Ipomoea alba.JPG
|image=Ipomoea alba.JPG
|image_width=240
|image_width=240
|image_caption=A pair of moondlowers newly bloomed
|image_caption=A pair of moondlowers newly bloomed
}}
}}
'''''Ipomoea alba''''', sometimes called the '''moonflower''' (but not to be confused with the other species also called [[moonflower]]) or '''moon vine''', is a species of night-blooming [[Ipomoea|morning-glory]], native to tropical and subtropical regions of the [[New World]], from northern [[Argentina]] north to [[Mexico]] and [[Florida]]. Though formerly classified as genus ''Calonyction'', species ''aculeatum'', it is now properly assigned to genus ''Ipomoea'', subgenus ''Quamoclit'', section ''Calonyction''.<ref>http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?20135</ref>
It is a [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[herbaceous]] [[liana]] growing to a height of 5-30 m tall with twining stems. The [[leaf|leaves]] are entire or three-lobed, 5-15 cm long, with a 5-20 cm long stem. The [[flower]]s are fragrant, white or pink, and large, 8-14 cm diameter. The flowers open quickly in the evening and last through the night, remaining open until touched by the morning sun. On overcast days, the blossoms may remain open for longer. The flowers also tend to remain open longer during cool temperatures - which may also cause the segments to snag or tear as they open.
The name Moonflower derives from their blooming in the evening and their being round in shape like a full moon.
==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==
The species is widely cultivated as an [[ornamental plant]] for its flowers. In areas too cold for winter survival, it can be grown as an [[annual plant]]. Since it is of tropical origin, it flowers best under a summer short day [[photoperiod]]. Though it can be successfully flowered in the north, its flowering is impaired by excessively long summer days. Thus, it often does not set buds and bloom until early autumn when daylight length is once again near 12 hours. In some areas it is an [[invasive species]] which can cause problems in agricultural settings.
===Propagation===
===Propagation===
Propagation is usually by seed. The seed resembles a small brownish nut, and should be nicked with a file and then soaked overnight before planting.
===Pests and diseases===
===Pests and diseases===
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==Species==
==Cultivars==
*'Giant White' - extra large white flowers up to 6 in (15cm){{AHS}}.
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
==References==
==References==
*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
<references/>
<!--- xxxxx *[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963 -->
<!--- xxxxx *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 -->
<!--- xxxxx *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 -->
<!--- xxxxx *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432 -->
<!--- xxxxx *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432 -->