CONVOLTULACEJE. 371 



A large genus, having the geographical range of the family, but more 

 especially abounding in the Mediterranean region. 



Bracts small, and placed on the peduncle at some distance from the 



flower. Stigma narrow-linear 1. Lesser C. 



Bracts large, close under the calyi.' Stigma ovate or oblong. 



Stem climbing. Leaves angular at the base 2. Larger C. 



Stem prostrate. Leaves thick, rounded 3. Sea C. 



The common blue Convolvulus minor of our gardens (C. tricolor of bo- 

 tanists) is a soutli European species ; the so-called Convohmlm major is 

 the Ipomaea or Pharhitis purpurea, a widely spread species over the hotter 

 parts of the world, pi-obably of American origin. 



1. Iiesser Convolvulus. Convolvulus arvensis, Linn. 



(Eng. Bot. t. 312. Bindiceed.) 



Eootstock slender, creeping underground to a great extent. Stems twin- 

 ing, but prostrate or scarcely climbing, seldom attaining above 2 feet in 

 length. Leaves stalked, ovate-sagittate, Ij inches long ; the lobes of the 

 base spreading and pointed, or angular. Peduncles axillary, usually 2- 

 flowered, with 2 smaU bracts at their fork, and a third on one of the 

 pedicels, at some distance from the flower. Sepals small and broad. Co- 

 rolla of a dehcate pink, or nearly white, an inch or rather more in diameter. 

 Lobes of the style narrow-linear. Capsule divided into 2 cells by a thin 

 partition. 



In fields and pastures, throughout Europe and central and Eussian Asia, 

 except the extreme north. Common, and often a troublesome weed in 

 England and Ireland, but apparently local in Scotland. Fl. all summer. 



2. Iiarg^er Convolvulus. Convolvulus sepium, Linn. 



(Eng. Bot. t. 313. Bindweed.) 



Rootstock creeping as in the lesser C. ; the twining stems climb to the 

 length of many feet over hedges and bushes. Leaves broadly ovate or 

 triangular, pouited, with broad, angular lobes at the base. Peduncles bear- 

 ing a single large flower of a pure white, with a pair of large, leafy bracts 

 immediately under the calyx and completely enclosing it. Stigmas obovate- 

 oblong. Capsule without any partition between the seeds. 



In hedges and bushy places, throughout Europe and Russian Asia, ex- 

 cept the extreme north, and in North America. Abundant in England 

 and Ireland, but local in Scotland. Fl. summer. This and the following 

 species are often removed from Convolvulus as a distinct genus, under the 

 name of Calystegia. 



3. Sea Convolvulus. Convolvulus Soldanella, Linn. 



(Eng. Bot. t. 314.) 



Rootstock creeping. Stems short, prostrate and scarcely twining. Leaves 

 small, thick, broadly rounded or kidney-shaped, with broad, rounded or 

 angular lobes at the base. Peduncles 1 -flowered, with the two large bracts 

 of the larger C. Corolla nearly as large, of a light pink colour, the stigmas 

 longer and more pointed than in the larger C., but shorter and broader 

 than in the lesser C. 



In maritime sands, in the temperate regions of both the northern and 

 southern hemispheres, scarcely penetrating into the tropics. Not un- 

 common on the coasts of England, Ireland, and southern Scotland. Fl. 

 tummer. 



