84'2 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND ., 



Convolvulaceae. 



The Bindweed Family. 



Distribution.— A large family, chiefly tvopicaL The large rhizome* 

 frequently contain an acrid, milky juice, sometimes used for medicinal purposes. 

 The flowers are usually large and ornamental. The Kumara or Sweet Potato, 

 which was introduced into New Zealand in very early times, belongs to thia 

 family. From the roots of Bxogoiiimn, jalap is obtained. 



Kei/ to Hie (ienera. 



1. Sterns leafy, prostrate or twinint,'. 2 



Stems leafless, twining, parasitic. Cusciita, p. 344. 



'2. Corolla plaited. Style 1. 3 



Petals oyerlapphiK in bnd. Styles '2. Dichondra, p. 344. 



3. Stigmas 2. ^ 

 Stigma 1-, 2-, or 3-lobed. 'Ipomcea. 



4. Oyary imperfectly '2-celled. lirauts large, 



enclosing the caly.x. Calystegia, p, 342. 



Oyary l-celled, bracts small or wanting. Convolyulus, ii. 342 



*Not further descriVx-'d. 



GemiH Convolvulus. 



Perennial herbs, vi'ith milliv juice, climbing by me-.ms of their twining stems. 

 Flowers funnel-shaped, white, pink, or rarely blue. Sepals ,5 ; corolla 5-angled. 

 Stamens .5. Fruit a capsule. 1 sp. 



Convolvulus erubescens (The BlHfihing Convolvulus). 



Stems prostrate, 2 in. -12 in. long, never twining. Leaves variable in shape^ 

 usually oblong-hastate or cordate. Flowers white. In Australian specimens. 

 they are often rose-coloured. Both islands, in dry places. Fl. Nov. -Dec. 



The species of this genus and the next are often widely 

 distributed. C. erubescens is closely allied to the English C. 

 arncnsif:, and is fotuid chiefly on dry hill sides. It is conniion 

 near Sumner (Christchurch). Calijstegia aepium is another 

 plant, which, though sonietiines rose-coloured elsewhere, is 

 always white in New Zealand (cf. Wahlenhergia). The 

 name eruhesceiis therefore, as applied to our species, is not 

 significant. 



Genus Cal/jstefjia. 



Closely allied to the previous genus, and sometimes united with it, but- 

 distinguished by the characters given in the Key to the Genera, i sp. 



Many species are cultivated for their large showy flowers. 

 In the bud, the corolla is spirally twisted. The anther lobes,. 



