Convolvulaceae

Genera : 50 Species: 1800

To Genus Directories: Calystegia Convolvulus Ipomoea

Distribution: Cosmopolitan

Economic Uses: Ornamentals, food plants (sweet potatoes and yams Ipomoea)

Defining Features of Interest: Sometimes parasitic; stems often with unusual secondary growth and usually with articulated non-anastomosing latex-canals or cells. Internal phloem. In Cuscuta chlorophyll is absent and the plant is attached to its host by haustoria, the terrestrial root system soon withering; internal phloem absent.

Fossil Evidence:

Defining Morphology

Floral Features : Flowers actinomorphic and bisexual, often with an involucre of bracts. C fused and convolute in bud (imbricate in Cuscuta), A 5 and epipetalous. G superior with axile placentation. Inflorescence a head, dichasium or solitary, often subtended by bracts.

Fruit and Seed Features : Fruit a capsule, often dehiscent, less often baccate, drupe or nut. Seeds sometimes hairy with little to no endosperm, and a curved embryo often with folded cotyledons.

Vegetative Features : Habit usually herbaceous climbers (always twining toward right), lianas, herbs or shrubs, rarely trees (Humbertia); sometimes parasitic. Leaves spiral, simple, entire to lobed (scale-like in Cuscuta).