The Ipomoea genus, commonly known as Morning Glory, is a widespread group of flowering vines often seen climbing fences and trellises. Despite their delicate appearance, these ornamental plants are not safe for consumption. Many common varieties contain potent psychoactive compounds that render them dangerous if ingested. Consuming common garden Morning Glories can lead to serious physical and psychological consequences.
Identifying the Toxic Parts of the Plant
While all parts of the Morning Glory vine may contain toxic compounds, the seeds are the most concentrated and dangerous source of these chemicals. Common ornamental species, such as Ipomoea tricolor (‘Heavenly Blue’) and Ipomoea purpurea (Common Morning Glory), produce seed pods packed with these substances. Accidental ingestion often occurs when children or pets consume the seeds, which can be tempting due to their small, dark, and hard-shelled appearance.
The seeds are generally located within dried, spherical capsules that form after the trumpet-shaped flowers fade and drop. Consuming these seeds can initiate a toxic reaction because the concentration of harmful compounds is significantly higher than in the leaves or stems. Therefore, gardeners should handle the mature seed pods with care and keep them out of reach of anyone who might mistake them for a benign food source.
The Specific Alkaloids Causing Poisoning
The danger in Morning Glory seeds stems from a group of naturally occurring compounds known as ergoline alkaloids. The primary toxic agent is Lysergic Acid Amide (LSA), also known as ergine. LSA belongs to the same family of chemicals that includes LSD, a powerful synthetic hallucinogen.
Structurally, LSA is similar to LSD, and its effects are mediated by interacting with the body’s serotonin receptors, particularly the 5-HT2A receptor subtype. This interaction disrupts normal brain chemistry, leading to profound psychological effects. The seeds also contain other ergoline alkaloids, such as ergometrine and chanoclavine, which contribute to the overall toxic profile and side effects. The combination of these compounds creates an unpredictable and potentially harmful experience.
Symptoms and Severity of Ingestion
Ingestion of the seeds typically results in intense physical discomfort and severe psychological disturbance. Physical symptoms often begin with significant gastrointestinal distress, including nausea, persistent vomiting, and diarrhea. Other physical reactions can include tremors, muscle rigidity, vasoconstriction, numbness in the extremities, and an elevated heart rate.
The psychological effects are often more concerning, characterized by an intense, prolonged hallucinatory state. Consumers frequently experience profound confusion, disorientation, and paranoia. A severe spike in anxiety, often called a “bad trip,” can lead to panic attacks and potentially dangerous behavior due to impaired judgment. The concentration of alkaloids can vary dramatically between individual seeds, making the dosage unpredictable.
Distinguishing Ornamental Varieties from Edible Species
A significant source of confusion is that the genus Ipomoea includes a highly important, safely edible crop: the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). The sweet potato is cultivated globally for its nutritious tuberous roots. Other edible relatives exist, such as water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica), which is grown for its leafy greens and stems.
These edible species are chemically distinct from their ornamental cousins, which are grown solely for their flowers. Gardeners must understand that the presence of one safe, edible species does not grant safety to the hundreds of other ornamental Morning Glory varieties sold in seed packets. These ornamental varieties should always be assumed to be toxic.