hedge bindweed
Family
ConvulvulaceaeScientific Name
Calystegia sepium
Other Common Names:
bearbind
devil's guts
hedge false bindweed
hedgebell
old man's night cap
wild morningglory
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Calystegia sepium ssp. Sepium
Convolvulus nashii
Convolvulus sepium
Convolvulus sepium var. communis
Habit
A vine plant spreading by rhizomes and seed. This plant has a shallow but extensive root system with a stem that usually trails along the ground or climbs foliage and other structures.
Leaves
Leaves are entire, alternate, and shaped like arrowheads or triangles usually 4 to 15 cm long, with long petioles. Leaves have 5 main points- 4 close to the base and 1 at the tip. The leaves are squared off at the base of the leaf.
Identifying Characteristics
This plant can be distinguished by its funnel shaped flowers, climbing stems, and alternate leaf arrangement and leaf shape. It can grow up to 3 meters long, and it is often confused with field bindweed. Field bindweed has a smaller flower and has 2 additional bracts below the 2 leafy bracts on the flower. Field bindweed leaves only have 3 points, are more arrow shaped, and do not square off.
Flower Seed Head
Flowers are similar to those of morning-glory, funnel shaped and are white to pink in color with 2 leafy bracts at the base of the flower. They sit on a stalk that is 2 to 6 inches long. Flower is 4-8 cm long and 2-4 cm across. Has 5 united petals.
Seed Fruit
Fruit are 8-10 mm globe shaped capsules containing 2-4 seeds.
Where Found
Found throughout Canada and the eastern United States. This plant is a problem in rowcrops, orchards, vineyards, and fence rows. Hedge bindweed also serves as an alternate host to tobacco streak virus and cucumber mosaic.
Growth Habit
vine
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
Varies:
quarter,
half dollar,
larger
Dominant Flower Color
Varies:
white,
pink
Flower Symmetry
not symmetrical
Leaf Hairs
no hairs
Leaf Shape
Varies:
heart,
triangle
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Structure
simple
Leaf Stalk
Varies:
shorter than leaf,
longer than leaf
Stem Hairs
Varies:
has hairs,
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
Varies:
fibrous,
rhizomes present
Life Cycle
perennial
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Vine