e-Key v3 - Evolvulus
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Interactive keys to the identification of seed plants of southern Africa using keys based on plant morphology.

Convolvulaceae - Evolvulus L.

Description :

  • Spreading annual or perennial herbs, rarely suffrutices
  • Leaves usually small, often sessile, entire
  • Flowers solitary and sessile, or 1-3 on axillary peduncles, or sometimes in terminal spikes, racemes or panicles
  • Calyx 5-lobed
  • Corolla funnel-shaped, campanulate, or subrotate; limb plicate, shortly 5-lobed
  • Stamens arising usually above middle of corolla tube; filaments and anthers linear
  • Ovary (1)2-locular, with 2 ovules in each locule; styles 2, free, each bifid or bilobed; stigmas linear-terete or subclavate
  • Fruit a subglobose capsule dehiscing into 2-4 valves
  • Seeds 4 or fewer by abortion, globose
  • x = 13 (12)

Nomenclature:

  • Evolvulus L.
    • Linnaeus: 391 (1762)
    • Verdcourt: 16 (1963)
    • Meeuse & Welman: 22 (2000)
  • Volvulopsis Roberty
    • Roberty: 28 (1952)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global : Species ± 100, mainly tropical America
  • Southern Africa : Species 2, all regions except Free State, Lesotho, Western and Eastern Cape; 1 introduced

References:

  • LINNAEUS, C. 1762. Species plantarum , edn 2. Laurentius Salvius, Stockholm
  • MEEUSE, A.D.J. & WELMAN, W.G. 2000. Convolvulaceae . Flora of southern Africa 28,1
  • ROBERTY, G. 1952. Genera Convolvulacearum. Candollea 14
  • VERDCOURT, B. 1963. Flora of tropical East Africa . Convolvulaceae