Order CLXXVI. CONVOLVULACEiE. The BindvvebdTribe. 
Convolvuli, /mss. Gen. 133. (1789). — Convolvulace^e, R. Brown Prodr. 481. (1810) ; 
Lindl. Synops. 167. (1829) ; Choisyin Mem. Soc. Phys. Gentv. (1834). 
Essential Character. — Calyx persistent, in 5 divisions, remarkably imbricated, as if 
in more whorls than one, often very unequal. Corolla monopetalous, hypogynous, regular, 
deciduous ; the limb 5-lobed, plaited. Stamens 5, inserted into the base of the corolla, 
and alternate with its segments. Ovary simple, with 2 or 4 cells,. seldom with 1 ; some- 
times in 2 or 4 divisions ; few-seeded ; the ovules definite and erect, when more than 1 
collateral; style 1, usually divided at the top; stigmas obtuse or acute. Disk annular, 
hypogynous. Capsule with from 1 to 4 cells ; the valves fitting, at their edges, to the 
angles of a loose dissepiment, bearing the seeds at its base. Seeds with a small quantity of 
mucilaginous albumen ; embryo curved ; cotyledons shrivelled ; radicle inferior. — Herba^ 
ceous plants or shrubs, usually twining and milky, smooth, or with a simple pubescence. 
Leaves alternate, undivided, or lobed, seldom pinnatifid, with no stipules. Inflorescence 
axillary or terminal; peduncles 1- or many-flowered, the partial ones generally with 2 
bracts. 
Affinities. The plaited corolla, imbricated calyx (as in calycose polype- 
taloe) and climbing habit, are the primd facie marks of this order, which 
approaches Cordiacese in its shrivelled cotyledons, and through that tribe 
Boraginaceae. Nolanacese would seem to establish a more direct relationship 
betw'een ConvolvTdaceae and that order. Polemoniaceae are known by their 
loculicidal dehiscence, which in Convolvulaceae is always opposite the dissepi- 
ments. Hydroleaceae are characterised by their indefinite seeds, and taper 
embryo lying in the midst of fleshy albumen. Solanaceae have a dicarpellaiy 
fruit and numerous seeds ; otherwise, they are very like the shrubby erect 
species of Convolvulaceae. 
Geography. Very abundant in all parts of the tropics, but rare in cold 
chmates, where a few only are found : they twine round other shrubs, or creep 
among the weeds of the sea- shore. 
Properties. Their roots abound in an acrid milky juice, which is strongly 
purgative; this quality depends upon a peculiar resin, which is the active 
principle of the Jalap, the Scammony, and the others whose roots possess 
similar qualities. Conv. Jalapa produces the real jalap, and C. Scammonia 
the scammony; besides which, C. Turpethum, C.- Mechoacanus, sepium, 
arvensis, Soldanella, macrorhizus, maritimus, macrocarpus, and probably many 
others, may be used with nearly equal advantage. The root of Convolvulus 
panduratus is used in the United States as jalap ; its operation is like that of 
rhubarb; it is supposed to be also diuretic. Barton, 1. 252. The roots of 
Conv. floridus and scoparius, and Ipomcea Quamoclit, are used as sternuta- 
tories ; those of C. Batatas and edulis are useful articles of food : the former 
is the common sweet Potato of European gardens. Convolvulus dissectus 
abounds in prussic acid, and is one of the plants from which the liqueur Noyau 
is prepared. Bot. Mag. 3141. The Ipomsea sensitiva of Tui*pin is remarkable 
for the extreme irritability of its corolla. 
GENERA. 
1. Argyreiea:, Chois. Humbertia, Lam. 
Rivea, Ch. 
Maripa, Aubl. 
Argyreia, Lour. 
Lettsomia, Roxb. 
Blinkworthia, Cb. 
Endrachium, Gmel. 
Thouinia, Sm. 
Smithia, Gmel. 
Moorcroftia, Ch. 
§2.CoNVOLVULEiE,Ch. Batatas, Ch. 
Quamoclit, Tourn. Pharbitis, Ch. 
Calbcea, Cav. Calonyction, Ch. 
Macrostemma, Pers. Exogonium, Ch. 
Mina, Lex. Lepistemon, Bl. 
Morenoa, Lex. Ipomasa, Ch. 
