Morning Glory

(Convolvulaceae), a family of dicotyledonous plants. The plants of this family may be herbs, semishrubs, shrubs, or, rarely, small trees; many are climbers. The blossoms are often large, growing singly or in racemes; they are usually bisexual and pentamerous (rarely tetramerous). The corolla is gamopetalous, regular, and either slightly five-lobed or entire; it is funnel-shaped or, less often, tubular or bell-shaped. The gynaecium is superior. The fruit is a pod and, rarely, nutlike. There are more than 50 genera (1,500 species), found mainly in the tropics and sub-tropics of both hemispheres. The plants that are economically important are the sweet potato and the jalap. In the USSR there are about 40 species, belonging to the genera Cresset, Ipomoea, bindweed, and Calystegia. In the southern USSR tropical plants of the genus Pharbitis are cultivated in orchards for decorative purposes.