Description of the family:
Herbs or shrubs, sometimes with latex, usually twining or prostrate, less often erect, sometimes parasitic with leaves reduced to scales (Cuscuta). Stipules 0, but stipule-like structures sometimes present. Leaves alternate. Flowers often large and showy, usually bracteate, 5-merous, actinomorphic, bisexual. Sepals 5. Corolla fused, entire or slightly 4-5-lobed, usually campanulate or funnel-shaped, less often cylindric. Styles 1-2, mostly terminal; stigmas 1-4. Ovary superior, entire or 2-4-lobed. Fruit usually a dry loculicidal capsule, sometimes indehiscent and baccate or nut-like. Seeds 1-4 (rarely 6 or 10).

Worldwide:
56 genera and 1600 species, cosmopolitan but occurring especially in warm areas.

Zimbabwe:
16 genera and 107 taxa.

  • Astripomoea A. Meeuse
  • Bonamia Thouars
  • Convolvulus L.
  • Cuscuta L.
  • Dichondra J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.
  • Evolvulus L.
  • Hewittia Wight & Arn.
  • Ipomoea L.
  • Jacquemontia Choisy
  • Lepistemon Blume
  • Merremia Dennst. ex Endl.
  • Mina Cerv.
  • Paralepistemon Lejoly & Lisowski
  • Seddera Hochst.
  • Stictocardia Hallier f.
  • Turbina Raf