morning glory

or morning-glory

noun

1. any of various plants, especially of the genera Ipomoea and Convolvulus, as I. purpurea, a twining plant having cordate leaves and funnel-shaped flowers of various colors, often opening only in the morning.
2. a racehorse that runs faster in morning workouts than in afternoon races.

morning-glory

noun

1. any of various mainly tropical convolvulaceous plants of the genus Ipomoea and related genera, with trumpet-shaped blue, pink, or white flowers, which close in late afternoon

Word History and Origins

Origin of morning glory¹

An Americanism dating back to 1805–15

Example Sentences

They discovered evidence of a morning glory called xtabentun, known for its hallucinogenic properties, lancewood, chili peppers and jool, the leaves of which were used to wrap ceremonial offerings.

From Science Daily

Unlike the potato, a sweet potato is closely related to the morning glory, so its growths are more vine-like and will develop sets of roots that will grow down into the jar of water.

From Los Angeles Times

We may all recognize a classic Heavenly Blue morning glory, but what about its distinctive cousins in the genus Ipomoea, all of them hummingbird favorites?

From Seattle Times

The lot, which CalTrans used as a parking lot during the construction of the 101 Freeway decades ago, was dotted with overgrown morning glories, citrus trees and three old trailers.

From Los Angeles Times

And the crispy morning glory salad is delicious.

From Los Angeles Times

More About Morning Glory

What is a morning glory?

A morning glory is a trumpet-shaped flower known for opening in the morning and closing up as the day progresses. Morning glories can be blue, purple, pink, or white.

Any plant in the genus Ipomoea can be called a morning glory.

Morning glories are cultivated as ornamental plants in gardens and sometimes used by florists in bouquets. A variety commonly planted in gardens is known as the heavenly blue morning glory (I. violacea).

They are popular because they grow quickly, even in poor conditions, and have fragrant, showy flowers. They are climbing plants, so they are sometimes planted near a trellis, fence, or wall.

The morning glory is one of the September birth flowers (a flower that’s associated with a particular month in the same way as a birthstone).

Example: Those violet morning glories next to your front door are absolutely beautiful.

Where does morning glory come from?

The first records of the name morning glory come from the early 1800s. The name was first used in the U.S. in reference to the fact the flowers only open in the morning.

The common morning glory is native to Mexico and Central America. Some species of morning glory are invasive species in parts of the world like North America and Asia. The morning glory blooms beginning in the early summer. They are fragrant and can attract insects and birds.

Did you know ... ?

What are some words that share a root or word element with morning glory? 

• morning
• glory

What are some words that often get used in discussing morning glory?

• flower
• blue
• purple
• pink
• white
• garden
• bouquet

How is morning glory used in real life?

Morning glories are best known for opening in the morning and closing in the afternoon. They are popular in gardens.

Blue cardinal flower, smooth beardtongue, and native morning glory. A ton of the morning glory has sprung up at the back of the yard, which is awesome! pic.twitter.com/JQQs4cXrHw

— Jeff VanderMeer (@jeffvandermeer) September 15, 2019

These beauties are enticing me into the garden to sit and write. Each Morning Glory flower only last a day, like nature throw’s herself into it for that fleeting time. pic.twitter.com/kp9tv0gPJT

— Angela M. Dove (@amhdove) August 3, 2019

I want a tat of a bouquet of flowers with my family's birth flowers in it (daffodil, chrysanthemum, morning glory, and lilly of the valley)

— Morgan (@aglobster) June 15, 2017

 

 

Try using morning glory!

True or False? 

Morning glories are climbing plants.