| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order Type: Eudicots-Asterids I
Order: Solanales
Family: Convolvulaceae
Family Common Name: Morning Glory Family
Genera: Ipomoea |
Defining Features: Sometimes
parasitic; stems often with unusual secondary growth and usually with articulated
non-anastomosing latex-canals or cells. In Cuscuta chlorophyll is absent
and the plant is attached to its host by haustoria; the terrestrial root
system which soon becomes withering.
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Flowers are actinomorphic and bisexual, often with an involucre
of bracts. Calyx is fused and convolute in bud (imbricate in Cuscuta),
stamens 5 and epipetalous. Inflorescences are determinate, axillary, terminal
or reduced to a solitary flower and often subtended by bracts. Ovary is
superior with axile placentation. Nectar disk is often lobed. Fruit and
Seed Features: Dicotyledon. Fruit a capsule, often dehiscent, less often
baccate, drupe or nut. Seeds have a hard and shiny coat (testa). Seeds
sometimes hairy with little to no endosperm. Seed with a curved embryo
and folded cotyledons. Vegetative Features: Habit is usually herbaceous
climbers (always twining toward right), lianas, herbs or shrubs, rarely
trees (Humbertia) and sometimes parasitic. Leaves are alternate, spiral,
simple and entire to lobed (scale-like in Cuscuta). Leaves often have palmate
venation.
Distribution: Cosmopolitan,
mainly subtropical and tropical.
Economic Use: As cultivated
garden ornamentals and food plants (sweet potatoes and yams).
Number of Genera Globally: 57
Number of Species Globally: 1,600
