Convolvulus and the Calystegia

Convolvulus is a genus of about 250 species of flowering plants in the bindweed family Convolvulaceae, with a cosmopolitan distribution. Common names include bindweed and morning glory, both names shared with other closely related genera.

They are annual or perennial herbaceous vines and woody shrubs, growing to 0.3-3 m tall. The leaves are spirally arranged, and the flowers trumpet-shaped, mostly white or pink, but blue, violet, purple or yellow in some species.

Many of the species are problematic weeds, which can swamp other more valuable plants by climbing over them, but some are also deliberately grown for their attractive flowers. However, some other species are globally threatened. This species occurs in many temperate regions. They are mostly slender, creeping winding vines. A few are small perennials. They have simple, alternate leaves and wide funnel-shaped flowers.

Convolvulus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the leaf-miner Bucculatrix cantabricella (feeds exclusively on Convolvulus cantabricus), Bedellia annuligera (recorded on Convolvulus arvensis) and Bedellia somnulentella. Calystegia is a genus of about 25 species of flowering plants also in the bindweed family of Convolvulaceae. They are annual or herbaceous perennial twining vines growing to 1-5m tall, with spirally arranged leaves. The flowers are trumpet shaped, 3-10 cm diameter, white or pink, with a sometimes inflated basal calyx.

The genus bears much similarity to a related genus Convolvulus, and is sometimes combined with it and is distinguished primarily by the pollen being smooth, and in the ovary being unilocular.

Some of the species, notably silvatica, are problematic weeds, which can swamp other more valuable plants by climbing over them, but some are also deliberately grown for their attractive flowers.

Calystegia species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Bedellia somnulentella and Small Angle Shades.

The name is derived from two Greek words kalux, (cup) and stegos, (a covering), meaning ‘a covering cup’.

The stem is creeps over the ground not winding and the leaves are dark green and reniform. The petioles are ovate or elliptical. The corolla is pink or pale purplish, with 5 white stripes.

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Kingdom : Plantae

(unranked) : Angiosperms

(unranked) : Eudicots

(unranked) : Asterids

Order : Solanales

Family : Convolvulaceae

Genus : Convolvulus/ Calystegia

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A Cats Life

Cats are known to be the proudest, neatest, and most worshipped (in their world), creatures in the world and who also lead the royal line in the jungle. The cat (Felis catus), also known as the domestic cat or house cat is a small predatory carnivorous species of crepuscular mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and its ability to hunt vermin, snakes, scorpions and other unwanted household pests. It has been associated with humans for at least 9,500 years.

A skilled predator, the cat is known to hunt over 1,000 species for food and can be trained to obey simple commands. Individual cats have also been known to learn on their own to manipulate simple mechanisms, such as doorknobs and toilet handles. Cats use a variety of vocalizations and types of body language for communication, including meowing, purring, hissing, growling, squeaking, chirping, clicking, and grunting.

Cats have been kept by humans since at least ancient Egypt, where Bast in cat form was goddess of the home, the domesticated cat, protector of the fields and home from vermin infestations, and sometimes took on the warlike aspect of a lioness. The first domesticated cats may have saved early Egyptians from many rodent infestations and likewise, Bast developed from the adoration for her feline companions.

She was the daughter of the sun god Ra and played significant role in Ancient Egyptian religion. It has been speculated that cats resident in Kenya’s Islands in the Lamu Archipelago may be the last living direct descendants of the cats of ancient Egypt.

Several ancient religions believed that cats are exalted souls, companions or guides for humans, that they are all-knowing but are mute so they cannot influence decisions made by humans. In Japan, the Maneki Neko is a cat that is a symbol of “good fortune”. Although there are no sacred species in Islam, it is said by some writers that Muhammad had a favourite cat, Muezza. It is said he loved cats so much that “he would do without his cloak rather than disturb one that was sleeping on it”.

Cats are known for their fastidious cleanliness. They groom themselves by licking their fur, employing their hooked papillae and saliva. As mentioned, their saliva is a powerful cleaning agent and deodorant. Many cats also enjoy grooming humans or other cats. Sometimes the act of grooming another cat is initiated as an assertion of superior position in the pecking order of a group (dominance grooming).

Some cats occasionally regurgitate hairballs of fur that have collected in their stomachs as a result of their grooming. Longhaired cats are more prone to this than short-haired cats. Hairballs can be prevented with certain cat foods and remedies that ease elimination of the hair, and regular grooming of the coat with a comb or stiff brush.

Indoor cats are usually provided with a litter box containing litter, typically bentonite, but sometimes other absorbent material such as shredded paper or wood chips, or sometimes sand or similar material.

This arrangement serves the same purpose as a toilet for humans. It should be cleaned daily and changed often, depending on the number of cats in a household and the type of litter; if it is not kept clean, a cat may be fastidious enough to find other locations in the house for urination or defecation.

This may also happen for other reasons; for instance, if a cat becomes constipated and defecation is uncomfortable, it may associate the discomfort with the litter box and avoid it in favour of another location. A litter box is recommended for indoor-outdoor cats as well.

Allergic reactions to cat dander or cat saliva inspire one of the most common reasons people cite for disliking cats. Some humans who are allergic to cats, typically manifested by hay fever, asthma or a skin rash, quickly acclimate themselves to a particular animal and live comfortably in the same house with it, while retaining an allergy to cats in general. However, this should not be depended upon.

Many humans find the rewards of cat companionship outweigh the discomfort and problems associated with these allergens.

Some cope with the problem by taking prescription allergy medicine, along with bathing their cats frequently (weekly bathing will eliminate about 90 percent of the cat dander present in the environment). There are also attempts to breed cats that are less likely to provoke an allergic reaction.

According to a myth in many cultures, cats have nine (or sometimes seven) lives. The myth is attributed to the natural suppleness and swiftness cats’ exhibit to escape life-threatening situations. Also lending credence to this myth is that falling cats often land on their feet because of an in built automatic twisting reaction and are able to twist their bodies around to land feet first, though they can still be injured or killed by a high fall.

Source:Wikipedia

Cat Tips

* Unlike dogs and children, cats are unlikely to come to you just because you want them to obey. However, a cat who knows he will be warmly petted, brushed, will receive a treat, or an extended period of lap-napping, is more likely to get up, stretch, look casually around, and then wander over to you (displaying, for all intents and purposes, the attitude that it was his idea in the first place). No animal will come to you willingly if you are raising your voice or if they think they are going to be punished.

* Cats, by the way, respond best to names that end in an “ee” sound. You will most likely get a better response if you shorten Prince Zadrach of Dominquez’ name to Zaddy, for example. Too, they seem to respond better to a higher-pitched tone of voice.

* Scratching furniture/declawing first, please note that declawing your cat so he won’t scratch your furniture is cruel and inhumane. You should train your cat to use a scratching post. Other alternatives include a quick, painless trimming of his claws (which you can do at home using special clippers).

* Scratching is one of your cat’s most ingrained instincts. Keep a scratching post near where the cat usually sleeps or, if he has already picked out a corner of your sofa, keep it next to that chosen spot.

You may need to train your cat to use his scratching post. Do not pick him up and put his paws on the scratching post (that will only make him want to avoid it).

Make the scratching post appealing to him: rub catnip on it or mist it with catnip spray; drape a heavy string (a long leather shoelace works great) over it and wiggle it to catch his interest; put treats on the very top.

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