When you’re looking to quickly cover a bare wall or hide an ugly downspout with some lush greenery, Morning Glories are usually the first thing gardeners reach for. They grow like crazy! But before you plant them, there’s something important you need to know: these beauties are actually quite toxic. If you have little ones or furry friends running around the yard, you’ll want to be extra careful.
Serious Health Risks
The danger in Morning Glories comes from lysergic acid amides, which are found in every single part of the plant. Since there are over 600 different species out there, the toxin levels can vary wildly. This means the physical reaction—for both humans and pets—can range from mild to life-threatening depending on how much is ingested. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Circulatory issues and dizziness
A Traditional Hallucinogen in Mexico
Lysergic acid amide is also known as ergine, and its effects are actually quite similar to LSD. Morning Glories are native to Mexico, where indigenous cultures used them as a hallucinogen, much like the Peyote cactus or the Teonanacatl mushroom. They were often used in sacred rituals, typically brewed into a tea. It was believed that the plant allowed people to communicate with the spirit world.
Handle Seeds with Care
The highest concentration of toxins is found right in the seeds. You might wonder why they’re sold legally if they contain hallucinogenic compounds—well, it’s mostly because the “trip” comes with those nasty side effects I mentioned earlier. Even when brewed as a tea, the physical sickness usually outweighs any other effects. If you’re planning on harvesting seeds from your garden to plant next year, handle them with caution. And most importantly, if you have kids or pets, make sure those seeds are stored somewhere high up and completely out of reach!
