Diversity, Traditional Uses of Convolvulaceae in That Phanom District, Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand

Abstract

Species diversities of the Convolvulaceae in That Phanom District, Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand, were studied between February and December 2021. The study identified eight genera and 28 species from the Convolvulaceae family. The genus Ipomoea was the most diverse species in the research area. The cultivated species include Argyreia nervosa, Evolvulus glomeratus I. batatas, I. purpurea. The species belonging to the family Convolvulaceae was found in four separate ecological types: deciduous dipterocarp forests, mixed deciduous forests, river basins, and cultivated areas such as home gardens or gardens. Native plants were more abundant than cultivated species. Many species experience peak blooming periods during the cold season, spanning from November to April, except for some species that flower during the rainy season, from May to October. Most species are herbaceous and woody climbers, except for Ipomoea carnea a non-climbing herb. Thirteen species were designated rare, while fifteen were labelled as plentiful. The IUCN database employs evaluation criteria to ascertain the conservation status of Convolvulaceae, identifying the inclusion of four species from this plant family. Members of this family have been used for various purposes, including as a source of food, medicinal plants, and decorative plants in local studies. I. aquatica and I. barbatus are utilised in culinary applications. The notable decorative plants are Argyreia nervosa, Evolvulus glomeratus, Ipomoea batatas, and I. carnea. The study provides comprehensive data on the biodiversity, conservation status, and traditional usage of the Convolvulaceae family in That Phanom District, Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand. This data can be harnessed as a significant renewable resource for future research.