Family: Convolvulaceae
Common name: Slender dwarf morning glory, Dwarf morning glory, Slender morning glory, Little glory, Blue daze, Vishnukranta, Shankavel, Vishnukranti
Morning glory flowers are all beautiful, this one exceptionally so because of the color and size of the flowers. They are native to tropical regions of America, and can now be seen in tropical countries around the world, cultivated, and also in the wild.
Plant characteristics
Slender dwarf morning glory plants can grow to a height of 30-60 cm mostly spreading horizontally on the ground. But there are trailing variants that can grow very long, climbing on fences, trellises, or supporting structures.
They are known for their slender stems that grow horizontally and are covered with thin white hairs. In fact, the whole plant is covered with fine long hairs giving it a very unique old-man-like appearance.
As soon as you zoom in through your camera lens, the first thing that catches the eye are the long downy hair covering the plant.
Flowers are about half a centimeter in diameter, violet in color with a beautiful white pattern at the throat. The flowers are solitary but the plant produces many flowers at a time, covering the floor with tiny violet blooms.
The petals are fused, giving the flower a saucer-like appearance, with origami folds radiating outwards from the center.
Slender dwarf morning glory flowers have prominent white stamens and anthers. They also produce tiny, rounded fruits with 4 seeds housed inside.
Growing tips
Slender dwarf morning glory plants need good sunlight. But they are tolerant of drought, poor soil conditions, and extreme weather fluctuations.
These plants can be grown in flower beds or in layered gardens where these plants form the lowermost layer, almost covering the soil.
Uses of Slender dwarf morning glory
These plants have medicinal properties, and is used in treatment of fever, cold, cough, cuts, ulcers, and also for stomach ailments. In Ayurveda, this little herb is used to enhance brain functions, memory; to relieve pain, anxiety and depression; to calm the nerves; and is also used as a sedative.
But they are now losing their natural habitat in India due to urbanization, and is not as commonly seen these days as it was earlier.
Slender dwarf morning glory plants can help in preventing soil erosion because of their spreading stems that hold on to the topsoil, preventing it from washing away.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds and stem cuttings, both of which are very effective means of propagation.
Photographed at: Nandi hills area, Bangalore
