Translation guide
In English, "moonflower" typically refers to night-blooming plants with large, fragrant white flowers, especially species of Ipomoea (morning glory family) or Datura. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is ヨルガオ (Ipomoea alba), but other plants like チョウセンアサガオ (Datura) may also be called moonflower. This guide helps you choose the right term based on context.
The most common moonflower: a tropical vine with large, fragrant white flowers that open at night.
Standard Japanese name for Ipomoea alba. Literally 'night face/glory', it is widely understood as the moonflower vine.
Moonflowers are blooming in the garden.
Literally 'evening face', this can refer to a different plant (Lagenaria siceraria, bottle gourd) but is sometimes used for moonflower in poetic contexts. Use with caution.
Often refers to the bottle gourd, not the moonflower vine. Confirm context.
The moonflower blooms in the evening.
Sometimes 'moonflower' refers to Datura, a toxic nightshade with large trumpet-shaped flowers.
Japanese name for Datura, literally 'Korean morning glory'. Often called 'moonflower' in English due to its night-blooming habit.
Moonflower (Datura) is a poisonous plant.
Katakana rendering of the genus name Datura. Used in gardening contexts.
Datura flowers are fragrant at night.
Referring to any flower that blooms at night, not a specific species.
The direct translation '月の花' (tsuki no hana) is not a standard term for moonflower and may cause confusion. Use the specific plant names above.
ヨルガオ (Ipomoea alba) is the true moonflower vine. ユウガオ often refers to the bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), whose white flowers also open at night. In gardening contexts, ヨルガオ is safer for moonflower.
Literally 'beauty under the moon', this specifically refers to Epiphyllum oxypetalum (Dutchman's pipe cactus), a night-blooming cactus. Sometimes used poetically for any night-blooming flower.
The moonflower bloomed for just one night.