How to Identify Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae: Characteristics & 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: Easy Comparison
1. What is the main difference between the Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae plant families?
The primary difference lies in their floral structures. Plants in the Convolvulaceae family, like morning glory, typically have a funnel-shaped corolla with twisted aestivation, where petals overlap. In contrast, plants in the Solanaceae family, like the potato, usually have petals with valvate aestivation, where they touch at the edges without overlapping.
2. What are some common examples of plants from the Solanaceae and Convolvulaceae families?
Both families contain well-known plants.
- Solanaceae (The Nightshade Family): Includes many important food crops like potato, tomato, brinjal (eggplant), and bell peppers.
- Convolvulaceae (The Morning Glory Family): Best known for ornamental climbers like morning glory and includes the food crop sweet potato.
3. Why are Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae placed together in the order Polymoniales if they are different?
They are grouped in the same order, Polymoniales, because they share significant similarities in their floral morphology, which suggests a close evolutionary relationship. Both families typically have flowers with five sepals, five petals, five stamens, and a superior ovary. These common features are the basis for their classification together.
4. How does the ovary structure affect the type of fruit produced by each family?
The ovary structure is a key differentiator. In Solanaceae, the ovary often has a swollen placenta with numerous ovules, leading to fruits with many seeds, like a berry (tomato) or a capsule. In Convolvulaceae, the ovary usually contains only one or two ovules in each chamber, resulting in fruits (typically capsules) with very few seeds.
5. Is there a typical difference in how plants from these two families grow?
Yes, there is a general difference in their growth habit. Many species in the Convolvulaceae family are twining climbers or vines. While the Solanaceae family has some climbers, it is more commonly represented by herbs, shrubs, and small trees, such as the tomato or potato plant.
6. Is the genus Solanum the same thing as the family Solanaceae?
No, they are not the same but are related. Solanaceae is the name of the entire plant family. Solanum is a large and important genus within the Solanaceae family. For example, the potato (Solanum tuberosum) belongs to the genus Solanum, which is part of the family Solanaceae.
