# Moonflower Varieties
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Ipomoea Alba
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Ipomoea alba is the quintessential moonflower. It is a member of the morning glory family. The vines grow up to 15 feet, and climb over trellises, trees or walls. The flowers reach up to 5 inches across, are pure white and look like a full moon when in bloom. The flowers open at dusk when it is dark and cool. This moonflower grows all over North America, especially where it is warm. It will bloom throughout the summer months and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Datura Inoxia
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Datura inoxia has many other names including devil's trumpet, angel's trumpet, thorn apple and horn-of-plenty. The names come from the shape of the flower, which resembles a trumpet, and the fruit it bears, which are thorny. The flowers are white with a width of up to 7 inches. When they bloom at night, the flowers resemble a full moon. The plant grows throughout the United States, but they grow best in Southern states where the temperatures stay warm. Datura inoxia has hallucinogenic properties and is poisonous when consumed.
Nightblooming Cereus
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Both the Selenicereus and Hylocereus species of night-blooming flowers commonly receive the name moonflowers. They are both in the cactus family. The flowers open wide with many little petals that stretch up to 12 inches across. The petals begin small in size at the center of the flower, and then grow longer, giving the flower a star-like appearance. The flowers are white, and bloom only late at night, usually after 9 p.m. These plants can be grown indoors, and require little water just like a cactus.
Mentzelia Pumila
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Also known as the desert blazing star, Mentzelia pumila does not look like a traditional moonflower. The stems have sharp burrs that cling to clothing, and the plant itself looks like a weed. Stick leaf is a common name for that reason. The flowers are yellow with many petals of varying size. The shape of the petals gives the flower the appearance of a bright, yellow star. It grows in desert areas, along rivers and canyons, but will survive and bloom in dry conditions.
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