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Are Moon Flowers Illegal? Must Read Blog Before Planting!

Moon Flowers (Ipomoea alba) are astonishing flowers of the family Convolvulaceae with a sweet, intoxicating scent.
Generally, Moon Flowers are large, trumpet-shaped, poisonous flowers used for ornamental, fiber, and medicinal purposes. Furthermore, Moonflowers are illegal in some states of Australia, America, and New Zealand.
Go through the entire article to learn more about Moonflowers, their toxicity, and their uses.

What do Moon Flowers Look Like?

Moonflowers are enormous, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom at night. They are white-colored with yellow reproductive organs.

Moonflowers are rapidly growing vines that can reach up to 10 feet long.

Moreover, they have cordate leaves and twinning stems that can climb over fences, trellises, and other substrates.

Moonflower plants with beautiful plants
Moonflowers bloom at night and close their flowers in the mornings, so they are also called ‘Queen of the Night.’

Additionally, the flower morphology of these flowers is quite complex but can be a beautiful addition to your homes and gardens.

These flowers originated from tropical and subtropical regions of America. However, they are distributed in various parts of the world, including Canada and Europe.

Is Moon Flower Poisonous?

Yes, Moonflower is poisonous. All parts of the flower are poisonous, including leaves, roots, and stems, containing toxins called Atropine, Scopolamine, and Hyoscyamine.

But the toxicity depends on the maturity of plants and their growing conditions.

Trumpet-shaped flowers of Ipomea alba
Moonflowers symbolize love and romance.

Besides its toxicity, it also causes a hallucinogenic effect and, in severe conditions, can lead to seizures, coma, and even death.

Furthermore, toxic compounds in Moon Flower interfere with brain functioning, making it difficult to ponder and process information.

Similarly, they can cause the symptoms like dizziness, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested.

Here are some tips for handling Moonflowers safely.

  • Wash your hands immediately after touching Moonflowers.
  • Keep the flowers away from toddlers and pets.
  • Additionally, do not ingest any parts of the flowers.

Moon Flower Uses & Benefits

Moon Flower is a beautiful that blooms at night. Here are some uses of this flower:

  • Ornamental: Moon Flower is a beautiful plant that can be grown in gardens or containers for ornamental purposes.
  • Fiber: The fibers from the stem of Moon Flower can be used to make rope, textiles, and other products.
  • Medicine: Moonflower is beneficial for treating snakebites, filariasis, constipation, boils, and headache.

Why Are Moon Flowers Illegal?

Moon Flowers are illegal in some countries due to their invasive nature. 

Similarly, invasive plants are those plants that are non-native and cause harm to the environment.

These flowers spread rapidly and compete with the native plants.

Moreover, Moon Flowers are prohibited in some states of Australia, Hawaii, and New Zealand and are considered serious weeds.

Some tips to prevent Moonflowers from becoming invasive are mentioned below:

  • Plant Moonflowers only in the places where it is hard to spread.
  • Deadhead the spent flowers and seedpods quickly to prevent self-seeding.
  • Water and fertilize the plants regularly to discourage them from spreading.
  • Avoid planting them in the area where they are considered invasive.

From Editorial Team

Conclusions!

You can increase the population of Moonflower by seed, cuttings, or division.

However, the best method of propagation is by seeds.

Moonflower seeds are oval-shaped and light brown; you can sow them between late winter and early Spring.

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