convolvus

Convolvus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Convolvulaceae, commonly known as bindweeds or morning glories. The genus comprises about 100 species of herbaceous plants and climbers found in temperate and tropical regions worldwide. Many species are grown as ornamentals for their funnel-shaped, five-lobed flowers, which are typically white, pink, purple, or blue.

Plants in the genus are primarily twining vines or sprawling herbs with simple leaves and slender stems. The flowers are medium-sized, tubular funnel-shaped with a five-lobed corolla, often arranged singly or in small clusters along the stems. The fruit is a capsule containing seeds.

Convolvus species occupy a range of habitats, from fields and roadsides to coastal or Mediterranean environments. They are popular in gardens and ground covers, but several species can become aggressive and invasive. The most well-known is Convolvulus arvensis, the field bindweed, a persistent weed with deep rhizomes that can choke out crops and ornamentals.

The name Convolvus comes from Latin convolvus, meaning “rolled together” or “to coil,” a reference to the plant's twining habit. Taxonomically, the genus is part of the order Solanales, within the family Convolvulaceae.