field bindweed
Family
ConvulvulaceaeScientific Name
Convolvulus arvensis
Other Common Names:
creeping jenny
European morningglory
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Convolvulus ambigens
Convolvulus incanus
Strophocaulos arvensis
Habit
This plant is a viny plant spreading by rhizomes and seed and has an extremely deep and extensive root system. Stems usually trail along the ground or climb foliage and other structures.
Leaves
The hairless leaves are entire and shaped like arrowheads with rounded tips. They are arrange alternate each other on petioles. Foliage is usually 2 to 6 cm (20-60mm) long and 3 cm (30mm) and hairless, while the stems have very fine hairs.
Identifying Characteristics
This plant can be distinguished by its white funnel shaped flowers, climbing stems and arrowhead-shaped leaves with some what rounded tips. It gets its name by climbing all the plants in a given area and binding them together; reducing yields.
Flower Seed Head
Flowers are similar to those of morning-glory, funnel shaped and white to pink in color having 5 united petals. Flowers usually measure 2-3 cm across and are found in clusters of 1-4 in the leaf axils. The bracts are much smaller than those of hedge bindweed.
Seed Fruit
Fruit are 3 mm long egg-shaped capsules containing 1-4 grayish brown 3 sided seeds.
Where Found
Found throughout Canada and the northern United States. This plant is a problem for row crops, orchards, and fence rows.
Growth Habit
vine
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
Varies:
dime,
nickle,
quarter,
half dollar
Dominant Flower Color
white
Flower Symmetry
radial symmetery
Leaf Hairs
no hairs
Leaf Shape
triangle
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
lobed
Leaf Structure
simple
Leaf Stalk
Varies:
shorter than leaf,
longer than leaf
Stem Hairs
has hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
present
Root Structure
Varies:
fibrous,
rhizomes present
Life Cycle
perennial
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Vine