Krug’s White Morning-Glory: A Lost Treasure of Puerto Rico
Meet Krug’s white morning-glory (Ipomoea krugii), a botanical mystery that highlights both the beauty and fragility of our native plant heritage. This perennial morning glory once graced the landscapes of Puerto Rico, but today it stands as a sobering reminder of what we risk losing when plant species disappear.
What Makes This Plant Special
Krug’s white morning-glory belongs to the beloved morning glory family, sharing DNA with those cheerful climbing vines many gardeners know and love. As its name suggests, this species likely produced the characteristic trumpet-shaped white flowers that make morning glories such garden favorites. Unlike its woody cousins, this particular species grew as a herbaceous perennial – a soft-stemmed plant that would return year after year in Puerto Rico’s warm climate.
A Plant Lost to Time
Here’s where the story takes a heartbreaking turn. Krug’s white morning-glory carries a Global Conservation Status of SH, which stands for Possibly Extirpated. In plain English, this means the plant is known only from historical records, and scientists haven’t been able to find it growing anywhere in recent decades. There’s still some hope for rediscovery – hence the possibly – but this species may have quietly slipped into extinction.
Where It Once Called Home
This endemic treasure was native exclusively to Puerto Rico, meaning it evolved there and existed nowhere else on Earth naturally. The island’s unique combination of tropical climate, varied elevations, and diverse ecosystems once provided the perfect home for this specialized morning glory.
Should You Try to Grow It?
The short answer is: you almost certainly can’t, and you shouldn’t try to obtain questionable plant material. Because of its extremely rare status, Krug’s white morning-glory is not available through normal gardening channels, and any plants claiming to be this species should be viewed with extreme skepticism.
If you’re drawn to the idea of growing a Puerto Rican native morning glory, you’ll need to look for other species that are still thriving and available through legitimate sources. The key is supporting conservation efforts rather than potentially contributing to black market plant trade.
What This Means for Gardeners
While you can’t grow Krug’s white morning-glory, its story offers valuable lessons:
- Native plants can be incredibly specialized and vulnerable to habitat loss
- Island species are particularly at risk due to their limited natural range
- Every plant we lose represents a unique genetic heritage that can never be replaced
- Supporting native plant conservation is crucial for preserving biodiversity
Honoring Its Memory in Your Garden
Though we may never see Krug’s white morning-glory blooming again, we can honor its memory by making thoughtful choices in our own gardens. Consider growing other native morning glories that are still thriving, support botanical gardens with conservation programs, and choose native plants whenever possible in your own landscape.
The story of Ipomoea krugii reminds us that every native plant – no matter how common it might seem today – deserves our respect and protection. In a world where plant species continue to face threats from habitat loss, climate change, and human development, each one we save matters.
The Bigger Picture
While Krug’s white morning-glory may be gone, its story doesn’t have to end in despair. Instead, let it inspire us to be better stewards of the native plants we still have. Every time you choose a native species for your garden, you’re casting a vote for biodiversity and helping ensure that future generations won’t have to write stories like this one about the plants we’re growing today.
