The ivy leaved morning glory

This sometimes loved, sometimes hated vining plant gets its name from the three-lobed pointed leaves that grow on its long slender vines. There are hundreds of kinds of morning glories with leaves of different shapes and various colors of blossoms the world over. In Southeast Missouri, the ivy leaved morning glory is probably the most common.

This morning glory sports beautiful tender blue trumpetlike flowers. Its vine, which acts like a winding tendril, is protected by a multitude of tiny hairs. Sprouting each spring from its small black seed, this wildflower can vine several feet even in very dry conditions.

Allowed to grow unchecked, this seemingly harmless vine with its pleasant blue flowers can become invasive and inundate other plants such as cultivated field corn, soybeans, and even other wildflowers. The ivy leaved morning glory blooms from July through October.

Through the Woods is a weekly nature photo column by Aaron Horrell. Find this column at semissourian.com to order a reprint of the photo. Find more work by him at the Painted Wren Gallery.