Convolvulaceae (), commonly called the bindweeds or morning glories, is a

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

of about 60 genera and more than 1,650 species. These species are primarily

herbaceous Herbaceous plants are vascular plants that have no persistent woody stems above ground. This broad category of plants includes many perennials, and nearly all annuals and biennials. Definitions of "herb" and "herbaceous" The fourth edition o ...

vine A vine (Latin ''vīnea'' "grapevine", "vineyard", from ''vīnum'' "wine") is any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent (that is, climbing) stems, lianas or runners. The word ''vine'' can also refer to such stems or runners themsel ...

s, but also include

tree In botany, a tree is a perennial plant with an elongated stem, or trunk, usually supporting branches and leaves. In some usages, the definition of a tree may be narrower, including only woody plants with secondary growth, plants that are ...

shrub A shrub (often also called a bush) is a small-to-medium-sized perennial woody plant. Unlike herbaceous plants, shrubs have persistent woody stems above the ground. Shrubs can be either deciduous or evergreen. They are distinguished from tree ...

s and

herb In general use, herbs are a widely distributed and widespread group of plants, excluding vegetables and other plants consumed for macronutrients, with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring and garnishing food, for medicina ...

s. The

tubers Tubers are a type of enlarged structure used as storage organs for nutrients in some plants. They are used for the plant's perennation (survival of the winter or dry months), to provide energy and nutrients for regrowth during the next growing s ...

of several species are edible, the best known of which is the

sweet potato The sweet potato or sweetpotato ('' Ipomoea batatas'') is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the bindweed or morning glory family, Convolvulaceae. Its large, starchy, sweet-tasting tuberous roots are used as a root vegetable. The young ...

Description

Convolvulaceae can be recognized by their funnel-shaped, radially symmetrical

corolla Corolla may refer to: *Corolla (botany), the petals of a flower, considered as a unit *Toyota Corolla, an automobile model name *Corolla (headgear) A ''corolla'' is an ancient headdress in the form of a small circlet or crown.sepals A sepal () is a part of the flower of angiosperms (flowering plants). Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom., p. 106 The term ''sepalum'' was coined ...

, five fused petals, five epipetalous

stamens The stamen (plural ''stamina'' or ''stamens'') is the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower. Collectively the stamens form the androecium., p. 10 Morphology and terminology A stamen typically consists of a stalk called the filame ...

(stamens fused to the petals), and a two-part

syncarpous Gynoecium (; ) is most commonly used as a collective term for the parts of a flower that produce ovules and ultimately develop into the fruit and seeds. The gynoecium is the innermost whorl of a flower; it consists of (one or more) ''pistils' ...

and superior

gynoecium Gynoecium (; ) is most commonly used as a collective term for the parts of a flower that produce ovules and ultimately develop into the fruit and seeds. The gynoecium is the innermost whorl of a flower; it consists of (one or more) '' pist ...

. The stems of these plants are usually winding, hence their Latin name (from ''convolvere'', "to wind"). The leaves are simple and alternate, without stipules. In parasitic Cuscuta (dodder) they are reduced to scales. The fruit can be a capsule, berry, or nut, all containing only two seeds per one

locule A locule (plural locules) or loculus (plural loculi) (meaning "little place" in Latin) is a small cavity or compartment within an organ or part of an organism (animal, plant, or fungus). In angiosperms (flowering plants), the term ''locule'' usu ...

(one

ovule In seed plants, the ovule is the structure that gives rise to and contains the female reproductive cells. It consists of three parts: the '' integument'', forming its outer layer, the ''nucellus'' (or remnant of the megasporangium), and the ...

ovary The ovary is an organ in the female reproductive system that produces an ovum. When released, this travels down the fallopian tube into the uterus, where it may become fertilized by a sperm. There is an ovary () found on each side of the body. ...

The leaves and starchy, tuberous roots of some species are used as

food Food is any substance consumed by an organism for nutritional support. Food is usually of plant, animal, or fungal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals. The substance is in ...

stuffs (e.g.

and water spinach), and the seeds are exploited for their medicinal value as purgatives. Some species contain ergoline

alkaloids Alkaloids are a class of basic, naturally occurring organic compounds that contain at least one nitrogen atom. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Some synthetic compounds of similar ...

that are likely responsible for the use of these species as ingredients in

psychedelic Psychedelics are a subclass of hallucinogenic drugs whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary states of consciousness (known as psychedelic experiences or "trips").Pollan, Michael (2018). ''How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science o ...

drugs A drug is any chemical substance that causes a change in an organism's physiology or psychology when consumed. Drugs are typically distinguished from food and substances that provide nutritional support. Consumption of drugs can be via inhalati ...

(e.g.

ololiuhqui ''Ipomoea corymbosa'' is a species of morning glory, native throughout Latin America from Mexico as far south as Peru and widely naturalised elsewhere. Its common names include Christmasvine, Christmaspops, and snakeplant. Description and names ...

). The presence of ergolines in some species of this family is due to infection by

fungi A fungus ( : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, separately fr ...

related to the ergot fungi of the genus ''

Claviceps Ergot ( ) or ergot fungi refers to a group of fungi of the genus ''Claviceps''. The most prominent member of this group is '' Claviceps purpurea'' ("rye ergot fungus"). This fungus grows on rye and related plants, and produces alkaloids that c ...

''. A recent study of Convolvulaceae species, '' Ipomoea asarifolia'', and its associated

showed the presence of a fungus, identified by

DNA sequencing DNA sequencing is the process of determining the nucleic acid sequence – the order of nucleotides in DNA. It includes any method or technology that is used to determine the order of the four bases: adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. T ...

of 18s and ITS

ribosomal DNA Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) is a DNA sequence that codes for ribosomal RNA. These sequences regulate transcription initiation and amplification, and contain both transcribed and non-transcribed spacer segments. In the human genome there are 5 chro ...

and phylogenetic analysis to be closely related to fungi in the family Clavicipitaceae, was always associated with the presence of ergoline alkaloids in the plant. The identified fungus appears to be a seed-transmitted, obligate

biotroph Parasitism is a close relationship between species, where one organism, the parasite, lives on or inside another organism, the host, causing it some harm, and is adapted structurally to this way of life. The entomologist E. O. Wilson has c ...

growing epiphytically on its host. This finding strongly suggests the unique presence of ergoline alkaloids in some species of the family Convolvulaceae is due to

symbiosis Symbiosis (from Greek , , "living together", from , , "together", and , bíōsis, "living") is any type of a close and long-term biological interaction between two different biological organisms, be it mutualistic, commensalistic, or para ...

with clavicipitaceous fungi. Moreover, another group of compounds,

loline alkaloids A loline alkaloid is a member of the 1-aminopyrrolizidines (often referred to as lolines), which are bioactive natural products with several distinct biological and chemical features. The lolines are insecticidal and insect-deterrent compounds t ...

, commonly produced by some members of the clavicipitaceous fungi (genus ''

Neotyphodium ''Neotyphodium'' is a genus of endophytic fungi symbiotic with grasses. It used to contain a number of asexually reproducing species that colonize the leaves of cool-season grasses, but most of them, including the type species '' N. coenophial ...

''), has been identified in a convolvulaceous species, but the origin of the loline alkaloids in this species is unknown. Members of the family are well known as showy garden plants (e.g. morning glory) and as troublesome weeds (e.g.

bindweed Bindweed may refer to: * Some species of Convolvulaceae (bindweed family or morning glory family): ** '' Calystegia'' (bindweed, false bindweed, morning glory), a genus of about 25 species of flowering plants ** ''Convolvulus'' (bindweed, morning ...

(mainly '' Convolvulus'' and ''

Calystegia ''Calystegia'' (bindweed, false bindweed, or morning glory) is a genus of about 25 species of flowering plants in the bindweed family Convolvulaceae. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution in temperate and subtropical regions, but with half o ...

'') and dodder), while '' Humbertia madagascariensis'' is a medium-sized tree and '' Ipomoea carnea'' is an erect shrub. Some parasitic members of this family are also used medicinally.

Genera

;Tribe Aniseieae *'' Aniseia'' Choisy *'' Odonellia'' K.R.Robertson *''

Tetralocularia ''Tetralocularia'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Convolvulaceae Convolvulaceae (), commonly called the bindweeds or morning glories, is a family of about 60 genera and more than 1,650 species. These species are pr ...

'' O'Donell ;Tribe Cardiochlamyeae *'' Cardiochlamys'' Oliv. *'' Cordisepalum'' Verdc. *'' Dinetus'' Buch.-Ham. ex Sweet *''

Duperreya ''Duperreya'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Convolvulaceae. Its native range is Australia. Its genus name of ''Duperreya'' is in honour of Louis Isidore Duperrey Louis-Isidore Duperrey (21 October 1786 – 25 August 1 ...

'' Gaudich. *'' Poranopsis'' Roberty *'' Tridynamia'' Gagnep. ;Tribe Convolvuleae *''

'' R.Br. – Bindweed, morning glory *'' Convolvulus'' L. – bindweed, morning glory *'' Jacquemontia'' Choisy *'' Polymeria'' R.Br. ;Tribe Cresseae *''

Bonamia ''Bonamia'' is a genus of the flowering plant family Convolvulaceae, commonly known as the bindweed family and named after the French physician and botanist François Bonamy (1710-1786). Members of the genus are commonly known as the lady's nig ...

'' Thouars *''

Cladostigma ''Cladostigma'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Convolvulaceae. Its native range is Northeastern & Eastern Tropical Africa, Southwestern Arabian Peninsula The Arabian Peninsula, (; ar, شِبْهُ الْجَزِ� ...

'' Radlk. *'' Cressa'' L. *'' Evolvulus'' L. *'' Hildebrandtia'' Vatke *'' Seddera'' Hochst. *''

Stylisma ''Stylisma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the morning glory family, commonly known as dawnflowers. This genus is native to the eastern United States. This genus consists of low vining or trailing herbs. They are found primarily in the Sout ...

'' Raf. *'' Wilsonia'' R. Br. ;Tribe Cuscuteae *'' Cuscuta'' L. – dodder ;Tribe Dichondreae *''

Dichondra ''Dichondra'' is a small genus of flowering plants in the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae. They are prostrate, perennial, herbaceous plants, with creeping stems which take root readily at the leaf nodes. The flowers are white, greenish or ye ...

'' J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. *'' Falkia'' Thunb. *'' Nephrophyllum'' A.Rich. *'' Petrogenia'' I.M.Johnst. ;Tribe Erycibeae *'' Erycibe'' Roxb. ;Tribe Humbertieae *'' Humbertia'' ;Tribe Ipomoeeae *'' Argyreia'' Lour. – Hawaiian baby woodrose *''

Astripomoea ''Astripomoea'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Convolvulaceae. Its native range is Tropical and Southern Africa, Arabian Peninsula The Arabian Peninsula, (; ar, شِبْهُ الْجَزِيرَةِ الْعَرَ ...

'' A.Meeuse *'' Blinkworthia'' Choisy *'' Ipomoea'' L. – morning glory,

*'' Lepistemon'' Blume *''

Lepistemonopsis ''Lepistemonopsis'' is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Convolvulaceae Convolvulaceae (), commonly called the bindweeds or morning glories, is a family of about 60 genera and more than 1,650 species. These spec ...

'' Dammer *'' Paralepistemon'' Lejoly & Lisowski *'' Rivea'' Choisy *'' Stictocardia'' Hallier f. ;Tribe Maripeae *'' Dicranostyles'' Benth. *''

Itzaea ''Itzaea'' is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Convolvulaceae Convolvulaceae (), commonly called the bindweeds or morning glories, is a family of about 60 genera and more than 1,650 species. These species are p ...

'' Standl. & Steyerm. *'' Lysiostyles'' Benth. *'' Maripa'' Aubl. ;Tribe Poraneae *''

Calycobolus ''Calycobolus'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Convolvulaceae. Its native range is Southern Tropical America, Western Africa to Angola. Species: *''Calycobolus acuminatus'' *''Calycobolus acutus'' *''Calycobolus afri ...

'' Willd. ex Schult. *''

Dipteropeltis The family Argulidae, whose members are commonly known as carp lice or fish lice, are parasitic crustaceans in the class Ichthyostraca. It is the only family in the monotypic subclass Branchiura and the order Arguloida, although a second family, ...

'' Hallier f. *''

Metaporana ''Metaporana'' is a genus of plants in the bindweed family Convolvulaceae Convolvulaceae (), commonly called the bindweeds or morning glories, is a family of about 60 genera and more than 1,650 species. These species are primarily herbace ...

'' N.E.Br. *'' Neuropeltis'' Wall. *'' Neuropeltopsis'' Ooststr. *''

Porana ''Porana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Convolvulaceae Convolvulaceae (), commonly called the bindweeds or morning glories, is a family of about 60 genera and more than 1,650 species. These species are primarily h ...

'' Burm.f. *'' Rapona'' Baill. ;'' Incertae sedis'' *'' Camonea'' Raf. *'' Daustinia'' Buril & Simões *'' Decalobanthus'' Ooststr. *'' Distimake'' Raf. *'' Hewittia'' Wight & Arn. *''

Hyalocystis ''Hyalocystis'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Convolvulaceae Convolvulaceae (), commonly called the bindweeds or morning glories, is a family of about 60 genera and more than 1,650 species. These species are primar ...

'' Hallier f. *'' Keraunea'' Cheek & Sim.-Bianch. *''

Merremia ''Merremia'' is a genus of flowering plants in the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae Convolvulaceae (), commonly called the bindweeds or morning glories, is a family of about 60 genera and more than 1,650 species. These species are ...

'' Dennst. ex Endl. – Hawaiian woodrose *'' Operculina'' Silva Manso *''

Remirema ''Remirema'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Convolvulaceae Convolvulaceae (), commonly called the bindweeds or morning glories, is a family of about 60 genera and more than 1,650 species. These species are primaril ...

'' Kerr *'' Xenostegia'' D.F.Austin & Staples

References

External links

Convolvulaceae Unlimited
Flowers in Israel {{Authority control Asterid families

Description

Genera

References

Further reading

External links