Scientific name: Ipomoea alba L.

Family: Convolvulaceae

Common name: Moonflower

The garden of the senses is a space in La Concepción to enjoy all the sensations that plants offer us. A series of arches serve as support for several species of climbers, and we are testing which ones develop better. In this case we are going to pay attention to one with large, pure white flowers, to which the name of the species, alba, alludes; the name of the genus comes from the Greek words ips, meaning worm, and homoios, similar; which refers to the fact that it is creeping, like worms.

The leaves of Moonflower are large, sometimes three-lobed, heart-shaped, pointed apex, and a cheerful shade of green. The flowers have a white corolla with a green line down the center along the inside of the petals; they close in the middle hours of the day, are large, 8 to 14 cm, fragrant, and funnel-shaped. Flowering is long lasting, between spring and early autumn.

The also called Moon Vine or Giant White is a perennial herbaceous plant, ideal for covering walls or pergolas. It has to be placed in full sun or with some light shade, it does not resist frost. It is naturally distributed between Mexico and Florida to northern Argentina, but lives in other tropical areas of the world, considered in some cases as invasive. In traditional medicine in its area of origin is used for snake bites and against parasites, also has food use as it is eaten as a cooked vegetable.