In Russia, the cultivation of morning glory, a popular country flower, has been banned

The Prime Minister of Russia, Mikhail Myshustin, signed amendments to the resolution on the list of narcotic drugs subject to state control. New substances are added to the list. In particular, a number of plants popular among gardeners fall under the ban.

One of these plants is morning glory, which Russians often grow because of its colorful flowers. Ipomea seeds contain the toxic substance ergin. Now, administrative responsibility may arise for growing Ipomea in the number of up to ten bushes. Cultivation of the plant in larger quantities may also lead to criminal prosecution.

In addition to Ipomea, the list of prohibited plants includes such plants as harmala and shield-shaped turbine. They contain psychotropic alkaloids. Because of this, their parts are used in folk medicine and shamanic practices.

Natalya Lytvynova, a researcher at the Astrakhan Nature Reserve, expressed her doubts in the RBC commentary that the measures to ban the morning glory will be effective. She noted that, in addition to the three-color morning glory, there are many other types and varieties of morning glory, outwardly almost indistinguishable and popular among gardeners and summer residents, so it will be difficult for law enforcement officers to distinguish a “forbidden” variety from a “permitted” one without scientific expertise. In addition, the botanist noted, morning glory is unpretentious and quickly goes wild, which makes it difficult to control its spread in nature.