Convolvulaceae in anthropized environments: beyond their status as weeds

Abstract

Convolvulaceae is a widely distributed family in tropical and subtropical regions, frequently associated, in the agronomic literature, with the weed status. Although this approach is relevant in productive systems, it may restrict the understanding of the family in other anthropized contexts. This article presents a narrative review of Convolvulaceae species associated with agricultural systems, ruderal and spontaneous vegetation, and other non-agricultural anthropized environments, with emphasis on their occurrence in these contexts, recorded floral visitors, and ornamental use documented in the literature. The review was based on an exploratory bibliographic compilation, whose initial selection of species was based on taxa treated in the Brazilian weed literature and was expanded with taxonomic, floristic and ecological literature on the family. To support the discussion, a annex was prepared containing 23 species and information on their occurrence in agricultural systems and other anthropized contexts, recorded ornamental use, and floral visitors. The compiled literature indicates that, although many of these species are treated primarily from a management perspective, some also have records of floral visitation by different animal groups and some degree of ornamental use. The data also show that simple occurrence in disturbed environments does not necessarily demonstrate harm. It is concluded that the association between Convolvulaceae and the weed status, although legitimate in agricultural systems, is insufficient to describe the range of records available for the family in anthropized environments.