Convolvulaceae vs parasitic Lauraceae

The Convolvulaceae Family

The Convolvulaceae, commonly referred to as the morning glory family or morning glory family, is a group of about 60 genera and more than 1,650 species of mainly herbaceous vines, but also herbs, trees and shrubs. In contrast, the Lauraceae family Containing about 45 genera and 2000 species, it is the most diverse family in the order Laurales. Most of its species evolve in tropical forests (Spellenberg et al, 2014).

Leaves and Flowers of Convolvulaceae

The leaves of plants belonging to the Convolvulaceae family are simple or compound and alternate, and the petals of these flowers are joined by a funnel-shaped crown (Ayu, 2014). The stems regularly contain latex and are once in a while tuberous. The roots are generally stringy yet now and again form tubers or rootstalks. On the other hand, the flowers of most species in the family of Lauraceae are little, yellow, and fragrant. A few types have bisexual flowers containing both female and male organs. Others have unisexual flowers, with every one having either female or male organs (Joachim, 2016). A few categories are polygamous, in that people have a few flowers which are unisexual, and others that are bisexual. The flowers of most species have 6 sepals, which are arranged in two cycles. The male organs or the stamens, of tree flowers happen in four or three cycles, with three stamens in each. The flowers generally have a solitary female organ or pistil, which contains a solitary ovule that forms into a seed after fertilization. The fruit of most species is sweet-smelling, and is named a drupe, in that is has a plump external layer and a hard internal layer with a solitary seed (Joachim, 2016).

Uses and Medicinal Values

The leaves and tuberous, starchy roots of some species are utilized as foodstuffs for instance, water spinach and sweet potato and the seeds are used for their restorative incentive as laxatives (Muhammad, 2014). A few groups contain ergoline alkaloids that are likely in charge of the utilization of these species as ingridients in hallucinogenic medications. The availability of ergolines in a few types of the Convolvulaceae family is because of disease growths identified with the ergot parasites of the genus Claviceps. In contrast, the stems, roots, and leaves of most species in the Lauraceae family are fragrant. The leaves are commonly alternate, instead of inverse, to each other on the stem. The leaves are basic in that they comprise of a solitary sharp edge. The California tree (Umbellularia californica ) and most tropical species in the Lauraceae like the Avocado have steady leaves, which stay appended to the plant after they are never again useful (Muhammad, 2014). Different species, for example, Sassafras albidum and zest hedge have occasionally deciduous leaves, which tumble off in autumn, after they wind up plainly nonfunctional.

Avocado and Morning Glory

In summary, the avocado, otherwise called the alligator pear, is outstanding amongst other known and most financially essential types of the Lauraceae family. Avocado is local to tropical areas of the South America, Caribbean, and Mexico. The most common species in the Convolvulaceae family is the morning glory. It is broadly cultivated for its funnel-shaped flowers. Most of the Convolvulaceae family are twining and erect herbs, with a couple of woody vines, shrubs, and trees. The family is far reaching in both temperate and tropical regions. The sweet potato is an economic plant of the family, however the vines are utilized as a part of cultivation; a few types of bindweeds are agricultural pests.

References

Ayu, A. N., & Universiti Malaya. (2014). Phytochemicals and bioactivities of Cryptocarya nigra (Lauraceae).

Joachim, W. K. V. B. (2016). The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants: Flowering Plants.

Eudicots : Aquifoliales, Boraginales, Bruniales, Dipsacales, Escalloniales, Garryales, Paracryphiales, Solanales (except Convolvulaceae), Icacinaceae, Metteniusaceae, Vahliaceae. Springer International Publishing.

Muhammad, H. H. H. (2014). Isolation of alkaloids from Alseodaphne pendulifolia Gamd.

(Lauraceae) and their biological activities. Tanjong Malim: Fakulti Sains dan Matematik, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris.

Spellenberg, R., Earle, C. J., Nelson, G., More, D., & In Hughes, A. K. (2014). Trees of western

North America.