Comparison of Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae morphology floral formula and examples
A family of flowering plants called Convolvulaceae includes morning glory species. Another popular name for this family is bindweed. It comprises more than 1650 species and around 60 genera. The majority of the plants in this family are herbaceous vines, trees, shrubs, and herbs. This family also includes a few additional edible tubers, such as sweet potatoes. This family's plants may be identified by their corollas, which have a funnel-like appearance and are radially symmetrical. Ergoline alkaloids can be found in several species. As a result, psychedelic medications include components from these species. Species of the Convolvulaceae family also contain the insecticidal loline alkaloid. Additionally, they may coexist well with certain fungi.
Kingdom: Plantae
Class: Angiosperms
Order: Solanales
Family: Convolvulaceae
A family of flowering plants called Solanaceae belongs to the nightshade family. This family includes vines, lianas, epiphytes, shrubs, and trees in addition to annual and perennial herbs. It also contains decorations, weeds, medicinal plants, spices, and agricultural products. This family's members generate a lot of active alkaloids, some of which are quite dangerous. Members of this family, including tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, bell peppers, and chilli peppers, are used as food. There are over 2700 species in the 98 genera that make up the Solanaceae family. Their stems can be woody, herbaceous, aerial, upright, or ascending.
Kingdom: Plantae
Class: Angiosperms
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Similarities between Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae
Both families, Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae, are included in the order Solanales.
Both families are quite large and widely cultivated.
The Asterid group of dicotyledons includes plants from both families.
Both families of plants have flowers with five sepals, five petals, and five stamens.
Superior gynoecium is found in both families.
Alkaloids are produced by plants in both families.
Differences between Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae
Interesting Facts
Cuscuta which is a parasitic plant belongs to the family Convolvulaceae.
World’s largest commercial crops like brinjal, tomato, potato, chillies, tobacco etc. all come under the family Solanaceae.
Withania somnifera, a medicinal plant which is widely used to treat respiratory diseases, hypertension and arthritis, belongs to the family Solanaceae.
Important Questions
1. Why are the families Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae grouped under the order Solanales or polymoniales?
2. Why is the Solanaceae family called nightshade?
Ans: The Solanaceae family is referred to as the “Nightshade” because part of the family's flowers bloom at night and the Solanaceae family prefers to thrive in shadow. Hence, they are known as nightshades.
Practice Questions
1. Which of the following plants does not belong to the family Solanaceae?
Tomato
Potato
Brinjal
None of the above
Ans: (d)
2. What is the other name for the Convolvulaceae family?
Nightshade family
Morning glory family
Potato family
None of the above
Ans: (b)
Summary
There are five families, 165 genera, and 4080 species in the Polymoniales (Solanales) order. The families of the order Polymoniales, Convolvulaceae, and Solanaceae, are both large and well-cultivated. The morning glory family of blooming plants is called Convolvulaceae, while the nightshade family is called Solanaceae. Therefore, this is the primary distinction between Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae.
FAQs on Difference Between Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae Families
1. What is the main difference between Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae?
The main difference between Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae lies in their plant habit, floral structure, and fruit type.
- Convolvulaceae (morning glory family) mostly consists of twining climbers or herbs with funnel-shaped flowers and typically produces a capsule fruit.
- Solanaceae (nightshade family) includes herbs, shrubs, or small trees with actinomorphic flowers and produces either a berry or capsule.
- Solanaceae often contains alkaloids, which are usually absent in Convolvulaceae.
2. What are the key characteristics of the family Convolvulaceae?
The family Convolvulaceae is characterized by twining herbs, funnel-shaped flowers, and superior ovaries.
- Mostly herbs or climbers with milky latex in some species
- Leaves are simple and alternate
- Flowers are actinomorphic, bisexual, and funnel-shaped
- Ovary is superior and bicarpellary
- Fruit is usually a capsule
3. What are the main features of the family Solanaceae?
The family Solanaceae is known for its alkaloid-containing plants, pentamerous flowers, and berry or capsule fruits.
- Plants are herbs, shrubs, or small trees
- Leaves are alternate and exstipulate
- Flowers are actinomorphic, bisexual, and pentamerous
- Ovary is superior and bicarpellary with axile placentation
- Fruit is a berry (e.g., tomato) or capsule (e.g., Datura)
4. How do the flowers of Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae differ?
The flowers of Convolvulaceae are typically funnel-shaped, while those of Solanaceae are usually rotate or tubular and pentamerous.
- In Convolvulaceae, corolla is gamopetalous and often twisted in bud (contorted aestivation).
- In Solanaceae, corolla is also gamopetalous but commonly shows valvate aestivation.
- Both families have five epipetalous stamens.
5. What type of fruit is found in Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae?
Convolvulaceae mainly produces a capsule, while Solanaceae produces either a berry or a capsule.
- In Convolvulaceae, fruit is typically a dry dehiscent capsule.
- In Solanaceae, fruit may be a fleshy berry (e.g., tomato, brinjal) or a dry capsule (e.g., Datura).
6. Are alkaloids present in Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae?
Alkaloids are commonly present in Solanaceae but generally absent in Convolvulaceae.
- Solanaceae contains important tropane alkaloids like atropine and nicotine.
- These alkaloids have medicinal and toxic properties.
- Convolvulaceae plants usually lack significant alkaloid content.
7. What are some common examples of Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae plants?
Common examples of Convolvulaceae include Ipomoea, while Solanaceae includes Solanum and Datura.
- Convolvulaceae: Ipomoea (morning glory), Convolvulus, Cuscuta
- Solanaceae: Solanum (potato, brinjal), Capsicum (chilli), Nicotiana (tobacco), Datura
8. How does placentation differ between Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae?
Both Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae show axile placentation in a bicarpellary ovary.
- Ovary is superior in both families.
- Ovules are attached to a central axis formed by fused carpels.
9. What is the floral formula of Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae?
The floral formula of both Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae is typically represented as ⚥ K(5) C(5) A5 G̅(2).
- ⚥ indicates bisexual flower
- K(5) shows five fused sepals
- C(5) indicates five fused petals
- A5 represents five stamens
- G̅(2) denotes a superior bicarpellary ovary
10. Why is the difference between Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae important in plant taxonomy?
The difference between Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae is important in plant taxonomy because it helps in accurate identification and classification of flowering plants.
- They differ in plant habit (climbers vs herbs/shrubs).
- They vary in fruit type (capsule vs berry/capsule).
- Presence of alkaloids is a key chemical distinction.
- Floral morphology such as aestivation also differs.
