The key difference between Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae is that Convolvulaceae is a morning glory family of flowering plants, while Solanaceae is a nightshade family of flowering plants.
Plant families such as Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae are normally included in the order Polymoniales based on their floral or sexual characters. They are the Asterid group of dicotyledons. Polymoniales are also called Solanales. The Polymoniales order consists of five families, 165 genera and 4080 species. Polymoniales order belongs to the core Asterid clade (organisms with a single common ancestor) or sympetalous lineage of flowering plants in the angiosperm phylogeny. Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae are two large and highly cultivated families of order Polymoniales.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Convolvulaceae
3. What is Solanaceae
4. Similarities – Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae
5. Convolvulaceae vs Solanaceae in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Convolvulaceae vs Solanaceae
What is Convolvulaceae?
Convolvulaceae is a morning glory family of flowering plants. This family is also commonly known as bindweed. It has about 60 genera and more than 1650 species. This family mostly comprises herbaceous vines, trees, shrubs, and herbs. Sweet potato and few other food tubers are also included in this family. The plants of this family can be recognized by their funnel-shaped radially symmetrical corolla. In their floral structure, flowers contain five sepals, five fused petals, five epipetalous stamens, and a two-part syncarpous gynaecium which is superior. The stems of these plants are usually winding. The leaves are simple and alternate without stipules. The fruit can be a capsule, a berry, or a nut. The fruit contains two seeds per one locule (ovary). The leaves and starchy tuberous roots of some species are well known as food, for example, sweet potato and water spinach. The seeds of some species have a laxative property and are used in medicine.
Figure 01: Convolvulaceae
Furthermore, some species contain ergoline alkaloids. Therefore, these species are used as ingredients in psychedelic drugs. Convolvulaceae species also have a loline alkaloid which has insecticidal properties. They can also have symbiotic relationships with some fungi. Moreover, the members of this family can be known as showy garden plants, troublesome weeds, or medium-sized trees.
What is Solanaceae?
Solanaceae is a nightshade family of flowering plants. This family ranges from annual, perennial herbs to vines, lianas, epiphytes, shrubs, and trees. It includes agricultural crops, medicinal plants, spices, weeds, and ornaments as well. Many members of this family produce potent alkaloids, of which some are highly toxic. Member like tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, bell, and chilli peppers of this family are used as food. Solanaceae family consists of 98 genera and approximately 2700 species. Their stems are aerial, erect, climbing, herbaceous or woody.
Figure 02: Solanaceae
The great majority of species of this family have flowers with five sepals and five petals and an androecium with five stamens. The flowers also contain two carpels, forming a gynoecium with a superior ovary. The leaves are generally alternate or alternate to opposed. The fruits of the Solanaceae are usually berries, capsules, or drupes. Moreover, the Solanaceae family has a worldwide distribution. They are present on all continents except Antarctica.
What are the Similarities Between Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae?
- Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae are families of order Polymoniales.
- Both families are very large and highly cultivated.
- The plants of both families belong to the Asterid group of dicotyledons.
- The plants of both families have flowers that contain five sepals, five petals and five stamens.
- These plants have superior gynoecium.
- The plants of both families produce alkaloids.
What is the Difference Between Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae?
Convolvulaceae is a morning glory family of flowering plants, while Solanaceae is a nightshade family of flowering plants. So, this is the key difference between Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae. Furthermore, the Convolvulaceae family contains about 60 genera and more than 1650 species, while the Solanaceae family contains about 98 genera and approximately 2700 species.
The below infographic lists the differences between Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae in tabular form for side by side comparison
Summary – Convolvulaceae vs Solanaceae
The Polymoniales (Solanales) order consists of five families, 165 genera, and 4080 species. Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae are two large and highly cultivated families of order Polymoniales. Convolvulaceae is a morning glory family of flowering plants, while Solanaceae is a nightshade family of flowering plants. Thus, this is the key difference between Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae.
Reference:
1. “Convolvulaceae.” An Overview | ScienceDirect Topics.
2. “Solanaceae.” An Overview | ScienceDirect Topics.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Starr 040711-0402 Ipomoea imperati” By Forest & Kim Starr (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Datura inoxia (Family Solanaceae) – flower” By Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia