Convolvulus arvensis
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Eudicots
- Clade: Asterids
- Order: Solanales
- Family: Convolvulaceae
- Genus: Convolvulus
- Species: Convolvulus arvensis
Common Names by Region
- United States: Field Bindweed, Wild Morning Glory, Creeping Jenny
- Canada: Field Bindweed
- Europe: Bindweed, Lesser Bindweed
- Indigenous Names: Varies by region; generally referenced descriptively due to its aggressive growth rather than cultural use
Description
Growth Habit
- Perennial herbaceous vine with extensive creeping and twining growth.
- Spreads aggressively via deep, spreading rhizomes and surface runners.
- Can climb over vegetation or form dense groundcover mats.
Size
- Vines typically extend 1 to 6 feet (0.3 to 1.8 meters), though root systems may extend several meters underground.
Leaves
- Shape: Arrow-shaped to triangular, with pointed lobes.
- Arrangement: Alternate along the stem.
- Color: Medium green, smooth surface, thin texture.
Flowers
- Inflorescence: Funnel-shaped, solitary or paired blooms.
- Bloom Color: White to pale pink, often with faint radial striping.
- Size: 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) in diameter.
- Blooming Season: Late spring through summer; flowers open in morning and close by afternoon.
Known Range
Native Range
- Eurasia: Native throughout Europe and parts of western and central Asia.
Naturalized Range
- North America: Widespread across the United States and southern Canada.
- Common in agricultural fields, lawns, roadsides, gardens, and disturbed soils.
Care Requirements
(Primarily relevant in managed or ornamental contexts; not recommended for cultivation)
Light
- Full sun to partial shade.
Watering
- Moderate water needs; drought tolerant once established.
Soil
- Highly adaptable; tolerates compacted, poor, sandy, loamy, or disturbed soils.
- Thrives in well-drained substrates.
Humidity
- Tolerates a wide range of humidity conditions.
Temperature
- Cold-hardy and heat-tolerant; survives across USDA Zones 3–9.
Propagation
- By Seed: Produces viable seeds that can persist in soil for many years.
- By Rhizome: Primary method of spread; even small root fragments can regenerate new plants.
Common Pests / Diseases
- Generally resistant to pests and disease.
- Occasionally hosts aphids or leaf-feeding insects but rarely suffers significant damage.
Additional Notes
Special Features
- Pollinator Resource: Provides nectar for bees and other insects, especially early in the season.
- Aggressive Growth: Considered a noxious weed in many agricultural and restoration contexts.
- Competitive Strategy: Outcompetes native plants through rapid spread and resource monopolization.
Medicinal Uses
- Historically used in limited traditional remedies, though modern use is discouraged due to toxicity concerns and lack of standardized safety data.
Edible Uses
- Not recommended; plant contains compounds that may be harmful if ingested.
Maintenance Level
- Very High (Control Required):
- Difficult to eradicate once established.
- Requires repeated mechanical removal or targeted management.
- Self-Spreading:
- Highly persistent and capable of rapid recolonization after disturbance.
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