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Morning Glory
|  Botanical name: Ipomoea violacea
Better known as: Morning Glory
Family name: Convolvulaceae
Natural habitat: Central America
There are over more than a hundred different Morning Glory varieties that show a lot of resemblances. But only a few of these varieties are having seeds that are containing the substance LSA (Lysergic Acid amide, natural tryptamine). They exist under the type name Ipomoea violacea and some of their (popular) names are:
- Flying Saucers
- Pearly Gates
- Blue Star
- Heavenly Blue
Once discovered that LSA was present in the seeds of the Morning Glory the recreational use of the hallucinogenic seeds increased rapidly in the ‘Western world’. The purpose of this use did not differ so much from the way a lot of ancient Mexican cultures used the seeds for already hundreds of years. Halfway the 16th century Spanish explorers reported a divine use of certain stretched out, angular, black seeds which the local population (probably the Aztecs) called ‘Tlitlitzin’. Tlitlitzin means black in the Indian language Nahuatl and around 1900 it was officially classified as Ipomoea violacea.
Even now, in Southern Mexico, there are still some Indian tribes to be found that consider the ritual use of the seeds of the Ipomoea violacea as an important part of living. It is known for example from some Zapotec indianen from the Oaxaca region in Mexico that they use both the Turbina corymbosa (Ololiuqui in Nahuatl) which is another Morning Glory variety of which the seeds contain LSA, and the Ipomoea violacea for medicinal and religious aims. The black seeds of the I. vialacea are called ‘macho’ (male) and the seeds of T. corymbosa, which are brown and around, are called ‘hembra’ (female). And this is exactly how it is: the black seeds are consumed by men, the brown ones by women. Other than during a Teonanácatl (psilocybin mushroom) ritual or Peótl (Peyotecatus) ritual, the Morning Glory rituals are a generally individual experience. The trip is rather meant to give the user an insight in a certain personal problem then to get into religious ecstasy. Sometimes it happens that a shamanistic healer gives the seeds to a patient for consumption. The patients problems will be diagnosed by what he says will under de influence of the plants – it is believed that not the patient speaks at that moment, but the so called plantchilderen (the bador).
Not seldom the Ipomoea violacea is found, thanks to its fast growing percentage and miraculous seed production, a cumbersome and invasive plant. But on the other side the beauty of its splendid flowers have won over many botanists hearts. Therefore there are now several different species of cultivated Ipomoea violacea. And as many species as there are of this plant, so many names there are: the Zapotec Indians for example, call the seeds of the Ipomoea violacea also Badoh Negro. But in the Zapotec language they are called Badungas. The Chinantec and Mazatec Indians from the same Oxaca region use the word Piule. Also heard: Semilla de la Virgen (seed of the virgin) and Hierba María (herb of Maria).
The Ipomoea violacea is from the same family as de Argyreia nervosa (Hawaiian Baby Woodrose). The seeds of this plant also contain LSA. | 
In spite of its preference for warm surroundings, the annual Ipomoea violacea will grow as well in a somewhat colder climate. Plant the seeds (soak them 24 hours in water first for a smooth germination) after the last frost on sunny spot. It is important that this is a spot where the I. violacea can cause no harm or be cumbersome to other plants and can climb freely (for example beside a fence). Water the seeds well and a little artificial feeding once in a while is not a bad thing.
The Ipomoea violacea will grow amazingly beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers in the summer months. Flowers can adopt several colors, from white to red and from purple to blue. They are fast growers and already about six weeks after germinating the first flowers can appear. This is also when the character of the species becomes clear:
- Flying Saucer is known for its 10 cm large flowers, that can vary from soft purple till dark blue and sometimes it has white stripes as well.
- Pearly Gates is the showy one of the four species: it is a powerful climber, and can produces masses of pure white flowers with a yellow shadow in their throat.
- Blue Star gives light blue flowers with stripes in the shape of a star and has a golden yellow throat.
- Heavenly Blue finally is de most popular variety for recreational use (the concentration LSA in the seeds of this variety is highest) and is less cultivated than the three others. However, when it ís cultivated, it produces beautiful bright blue flowers with little yellow throats.
When the flowers disappear, the round seed capsules are formed that contain the small black seed. Cut these capsules on time if you want to keep the plant on its spot: they will pop open after a to spread their seed. Before you know it your garden has changed into a complete Morning Glory paradise! (Which is a wonderful sight by the way!)
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