Morning glory (Convolvulaceae) — common flowering vines

Morning glory is the common name for many twining, funnel-flowered plants in the Convolvulaceae family, grown as ornamentals, sometimes invasive, and including species like bindweed and the sweet potato.

Overview

Morning glory is a collective name for a variety of flowering plants in the family Convolvulaceae. These plants are best known for their showy, funnel-shaped blooms that often open in the morning and close later in the day. The group includes ornamental garden vines, wild field plants, and several taxa of ecological and economic importance.

Characteristics

Members of this family are usually herbaceous vines with twining stems, though some are shrubs or herbs. Leaves are typically simple and alternately arranged. Flowers are actinomorphic (radially symmetrical) with a fused corolla forming a trumpet or funnel. Fruit is most often a capsule containing several seeds. Pollinators can include bees, moths, and hummingbirds depending on flower shape and color.

History, distribution and taxonomy

Convolvulaceae species occur worldwide, with the greatest diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. The family includes familiar genera such as Ipomoea, Convolvulus and Calystegia. Some species have been cultivated for centuries for food, fiber or ornament. For taxonomic overview and species lists see general plant references: family overview and regional floras: taxonomic resources.

Uses and cultural notes

Many morning glories are popular garden climbers trained on trellises or fences for their rapid growth and colorful blooms. One economically important member of the family is the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), grown for its edible tuber. Some wild congeners are regarded as invasive weeds (commonly called bindweeds) because they smother crops and native plants. Historically, seeds of a few species have been used in traditional rituals for their psychoactive effects; such uses are culturally specific and should be approached cautiously.

Notable species and distinctions

Ipomoea purpurea and I. tricolor — widely grown ornamental morning glories.
Convolvulus arvensis (field bindweed) and Calystegia sepium (hedge bindweed) — common weedy species.
Ipomoea batatas — the sweet potato, an edible crop within the same family.

Gardeners value morning glories for rapid cover and bright flowers, while land managers often treat some species as troublesome invasives. Identifying species by flower shape, leaf form and growth habit helps distinguish desirable garden varieties from persistent weeds.