Convolvulaceae
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The Convolvulaceae, the bindweed or morning glory family, is a group of about 60 genera and more than 1,650 species of mostly herbaceous vines, but also trees, shrubs and herbs.
They can easily be recognized by their funnel-shaped radially symmetrical flowers. These have 5 sepals, a corolla of 5 united petals and 5 stamens. The flowers are hypogynous (= having a superior ovary). The stem of these plants is usually winding, hence its Latin name (convolvere = to wind). The leaves are simple and alternate, without stipules. The fruit is a capsule with one to four seeds (sometimes even more), or a berry or a nut.
The leaves and starchy tuberous roots of some species are used as foodstuffs (e.g. sweet potato and water spinach), and the seeds are exploited for their medicinal value as purgatives. Some species contain ergoline alkaloids that are likely involved their activity as psychedelic drugs (e.g. ololiuhqui).
Members of the family are well known as showy garden plants (e.g. morning glory) and as troublesome weeds (e.g. bindweed).
Tribes
According to the study of D.F. Austin (see Reference) the family Convolvulaceae can be classified in the following tribes:- Ericybeae
- Cressea
- Convolvuleae
- Merremioids
- Ipomoeae
- Argyreiae
- Poraneae
- Dichondreae
- Cuscuteae (sometimes classified as a separate family Cuscutaceae).
Genera
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References and external links
- Austin, D. F. (1973) The American Erycibeae (Convolvulaceae): Maripa, Dicranostyles, and Lysiostyles I. Systematics. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 60: 306-412.
- [Austin, D. F. 1997. Convolvulaceae (Morning Glory Family)]
- [Convolvulus plant]
- [Convolvulaceae] in [L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants.]
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