Common name: Blue dawn flower, Common Morning glory, Blue morning glory
Common morning glory is a giant climber and often extending itself over nearby vegetations growing to around 15 meters. The nativity of this plant is unclear, it is a very attractive ornamental climber more frequently seen in hill town areas of Western Ghats. The tri-lobed simple leaves are arranged in an alternate manner; margin is entire. The stem is greenish in color with some purple patches, the entire stem is coveted with single strand hairs. The leaf stalk and leaf measure around 4.5 cm and 4-6 cm respectively. The leaf shape is ovate, with a cordate base: the leaf lobe apex ends in an acute point. The flowers are axillary, the five parted petals are joined below to form a tubular blue-purple colored flower. The flower tube measure around 5 cm and the flower across measurers around 8-9 cm. The flowers close-out quickly and shrink to pink color. The calyx has five teeth and measure around 1.8 cm. The fruit is in the form of a globular capsule. The plant roots at nodes and these may become independent plants. The seeds generally do not germinate. Common morning glory is very common in hill stations towns like Coonoor and Kothagiri in Nilgiri district. It is treat to see the huge purple flower being visited by Crimson-backed Sunbird.
