Calystegia

Calystegia is a genus of flowering plants in the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae. The genus is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with a distribution extending across Europe, Asia, and North America. Plants in this genus are commonly known as morning glories or bindweeds, though these common names are also applied to other genera within the Convolvulaceae family.

Species within Calystegia are typically herbaceous perennials, often characterized by their twining or vining habit. They possess attractive, funnel-shaped flowers that are usually borne singly or in small clusters. The flowers are diurnal, opening in the morning and closing by the afternoon, hence the common name "morning glory." Flower colors vary among species but commonly include shades of white, pink, and purple. The leaves are usually simple, alternate, and can be ovate, hastate, or sagittate in shape.

Calystegia species are often found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, grasslands, open woodlands, and disturbed areas like roadsides and fields. Some species are considered invasive in certain regions due to their vigorous growth and ability to spread rapidly, often by underground rhizomes. Reproduction can occur both by seed and vegetatively.

Examples of species within the genus include Calystegia sepium, commonly known as hedge bindweed, and Calystegia soldanella, the sea bindweed, which is found in coastal areas. The genus is distinct from the larger genus Convolvulus, though they share similarities in morphology and habitat. Taxonomic classifications of Calystegia have undergone revision, with some species previously assigned to other genera now placed within Calystegia.