Convolvulaceae

Convolvulaceae, commonly known as the morning-glory family, is a family of flowering plants in the order Solanales. It comprises about 60 genera and roughly 1,500 to 2,000 species. Members are found worldwide, with a concentration in tropical and subtropical regions, though several species extend into temperate zones. The growth habit is predominantly vining or sprawling; many species produce milky sap when stems are cut. Leaves are simple and can be entire or lobed.

Flowers are typically actinomorphic and funnel-shaped, with a tubular corolla formed by five fused petals. They are often brightly colored and long-tubed, adapted to pollination by bees, moths, or hummingbirds, depending on the species. The fruit is usually a dry capsule containing several seeds.

Notable genera include Ipomoea, which includes garden morning glories and the edible sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas); Convolvulus, which contains many weedy bindweeds such as field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis); Calystegia, another group of bindweeds. Some Ipomoea species have seeds that contain lysergic acid amide and may be psychoactive in large amounts, and several species are toxic if ingested.

Uses and ecological impact: A number of species are cultivated as ornamental vines, providing showy flowers in gardens and landscapes. Ipomoea batatas is an important agricultural crop for its edible storage roots. Other species can become invasive and disrupt native habitats, while some are used in traditional medicines.