Name: Convolvulaceae
Meaning of Name:
Convolvulaceae, from Latin convolvulus (‘bindweed’), from convolvō (‘convolve’, ‘to roll together, coil up’) + Latin -ulus (used to form an adjective from a verb, i.e. ‘coiling’; a reference to the winding stems) + Latin -āceae (the feminine plural of -āceus, ‘resembling’, a suffix used to form the taxonomic family names of plants, algae, bacteria, and fungi)
Common Name:
The bindweed or morning glory family
Botanical Information:
Convolvulaceae, or the bindweed or morning glory family, comprises 60 genera and over 1,650 species. Most of the species are herbaceous vines, with the rest being trees, shrubs and herbs.
Some species with edible tubers are found in this family, and include sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and water spinach (kangkong, Ipomoea aquatica). The collection of species called ‘Morning Glory’ are well-known ornamentals and invasive weeds also in this family.
The defining botanical characteristic of family Convolvulaceae is based on the flower anatomy, one distinctive part of which is the five fused petals.
The photo chosen to illustrate this family shows the five fused petals of a Morning Glory flower. (My sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) plants weren’t in flower and this nearby weed had to do.)
Image copyright © Optimate Group Pty Ltd
