Evolvulus alsinoides

Nomenclature

Accepted name/Authority/Place of publication:

Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L., Sp. Pl. ed. 2. 392. 1762.

Synonyms:

Convolvulus alsinoides L., Sp. Pl. 1: 157. 1753.

Description

Habit:

Herbs perennial. Stems several to numerous, prostrate or ascending, slender, with appressed and spreading hairs.

Leaves:

Leaves petiolate or nearly sessile, 7–25 × 5–10 mm.

Inflorescences:

Cymes 1- to few flowered; peduncles filiform, 2.5–3.5 cm; bracts linear-subulate to linear-lanceolate, 1.5–4 mm. Sepals lanceolate, 3–4 mm, villous.

Flowers:

Corolla rotate, 7–10 mm in diam. Stamens included; filaments filiform, adnate to base of corolla tube. Ovary glabrous; styles 2, free.

Fruits:

Capsule globose, 4-valved.

Seeds:

Seeds 4 or fewer, black, smooth.

Author:

Fang R.C. & G. Staples

References:

Fang R.C., G. Staples, et al. 1995. Convolvulaceae in P. Raven & C.Y. Wu (eds.) Flora of China 16: 271–325.

Cytology

Chromosome number:

Author:

Fang R.C. & G. Staples

References:

Fang R.C., G. Staples, et al. 1995. Convolvulaceae in P. Raven & C.Y. Wu (eds.) Flora of China 16: 271–325.

Biogeography, Ecology and Natural History

Distribution Map:

Distribution:

China: Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Qinghai, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang.

Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan (Ryukyu Islands), Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam; Africa, Australia(Western Australia; Northen Territory; Queensland; New South Wales), North America, Pacific Islands, South America.

Ecology:

Growing on limestone, granitic, or sandy
soils in dry, sunny, open areas of savannah forest, dipterocarp forest,
seasonal deciduous forest, dipterocarp-oak seasonal hardwood forest, dry scrub,
sandy beaches, dry evergreen forest among granite boulders, as well as on roadsides,
in coconut plantations and other areas of human activity; altitude: sea level–400 m.

Phenology:

Flowering, fruiting year round.

Author:

Fang R.C. & G. Staples

References:

Fang R.C., G. Staples, et al. 1995. Convolvulaceae in P. Raven & C.Y. Wu (eds.) Flora of China 16: 271–325.

Staples, G. 2010. Convolvulaceae. Fl. Thailand 10(3): 330–468.

Johnson, R.W. [unpublished]. Convolvulaceae In eFloraSA [Electronic Flora of South Australia]. http://www.flora.sa.gov.au/factsheets.html

Other information

Common names and uses:

tu ding gui (Chinese). The whole plant is used medicinally. Bai to kaan, ya rak khaeng (Thai).

Infraspecific Characters:

This is a highly polymorphic species. Van Ooststroom (Meded. Bot. Mus. Herb. Rijks Univ. Utrecht 14: 1–267. 1934) recognized 16 varieties world-wide, based mostly on habit, leaf arrangement, and hairiness. Corolla color is variable; most often this is pale to vivid blue with a white central ‘eye’, but the entire corolla can be almost white. While there are local populations with distinctive phenotypes, there is a high level of intergradation between them and many intermediates exist that can’t be satisfactorily placed. This species appears well suited for study using molecular markers to determine whether any of the distinctive morphologies can be backed up by molecular characters.