Convolvulaceae of Guinea: taxonomy, conservation and useful plants

Abstract

Convolvulaceae is a diverse and economically important plant family in Tropical Africa, including the crop sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) and its wild relatives, morning glories (Ipomoea L.), bindweeds (Convolvulus L.), invasive weeds (e.g. Cuscuta L.) and several other species with food, medicinal, or traditional uses. A taxonomic treatment of Convolvulaceae for Guinea is here presented, including comprehensive morphological descriptions, identification keys to genera and species, distribution and ecological information, specimen data, and documentation of known uses. A total of 51 species belonging to 16 genera are documented, 38 of which are native, and 13 presumed introduced; 33 of these are used as medicine, 18 as ornamental, 12 as food and 15 with a range of other uses. Preliminary IUCN Red List assessments were carried out for 45 species for which there were no previous assessments All 45 preliminary conservation assessments were categorised as Least Concern for the global Red List, with 61% of native species having at least one occurrence point falling within protected areas.