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field bindweed

Convolvulus arvensis

Summary 7

Convolvulus arvensis (field bindweed) is a species of bindweed in the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae), native to Europe and Asia. It is a climbing or creeping herbaceous perennial plant growing to 0.5–2 m high. There are two varieties:

Conservation status 8

More info for the term: natural

As of this writing (2004), field bindweed is classified as a noxious or prohibited weed or weed seed in 35 states in the U.S. and 5 Canadian provinces [139]. See the Invaders, Plants, or APHIS databases for more information. The Eastern Region of the U.S. Forest Service ranks field bindweed as a Category 3 plant: often restricted to disturbed ground and not especially invasive in undisturbed natural habitats [136].

Description 9

This introduced perennial plant is a vine that produces stems 2-4' long. The stems are usually glabrous, but are sometimes hairy where new growth occurs. The alternate leaves are 1-2' long and half as much across. They are often sagittate (arrowhead-shaped), but are variable and can assume other forms as well. Their margins are smooth and occasionally slightly ciliate. Long slender petioles connect the leaves with the stems. A slender flowering stalk may develop from the base of a petiole. This stalk occasionally branches and can produce 1-3 flowers. The corolla of a flower is funnelform in shape and up to 1" across; it is usually white, sometimes with light pink patterns. The 5 lobes of the corolla are very shallow and barely perceptible. Toward the throat of the corolla is a patch of yellow and the reproductive parts, consisting of 5 stamens and a pistil with a divided style. These reproductive parts are usually white, although the anthers may be pink or light purple in flowers with pink corollas. At the base of the flower, there are 5 green sepals that are much smaller than the corolla. Up to 1" below the base of a flower, there are a pair of small green bracts on the flowering stalk. The blooming period can occur from late spring to early fall, and can span several months, even though individual flowers persist for only a single day, usually opening during the morning and closing by late afternoon. A hairless and well-rounded seed capsule about ¼" long replaces each flower; each 2-celled capsule contains 4 seeds. These dark seeds are 3-angled and oblong, but tapering somewhat at the ends. Each seed usually has 2 flat sides and 1 convex side; it is about 1/8" long. The root system consists of a slender taproot that branches frequently; it can extend 20' into the ground. Rhizomes are also produced in abundance, so that this plant often forms vegetative colonies.

Management 10

Preserve Selection and Design Considerations: Convolvulus arvensis can be a serious weed in native plant communities. It can be a continuous threat in preserves near agricultural areas that have stable populations of this weed. A preserve with high quality natural areas can still be managed successfully if infestations of bindweed are localized.

With proper control measures, areas can be restored to desirable vegetation if infestations are localized or of low density. Some consideration should be given to the potential for continued reinvasion of a site through seed dispersal, especially from adjacent agricultural land.

Management Requirements: Convolvulus requires active management once it is established because of its potential to regenerate rapidly. Populations adjacent to preserves should also be monitored and, seed dispersal should be mitigated, if possible.

MECHANICAL CONTROL: There is no evidence of successful long-term control of Convolvulus arvensis with mechanical methods. Portions of roots and rhizomes becoming detached have the potential to produce new shoots. Mowing has a negligible effect unless plants are cut below the surface in the early seedling stage (Swan 1983). Well-established populations have a large seed pool in the soil that can remain viable for a long period of time.

CHEMICAL CONTROL: There is extensive literature on the control of Convolvulus arvensis with various herbicides. Although chemical treatment can be successful, it often requires high rates as well as repeated applications (Gigax and Messersmith 1978). Successful treatment of bindweed can result in substantial damage to desirable plants as well.

Glyphosate, dicamba, and 2,4-D are the herbicides that have the greatest effectiveness against bindweed. Foliar application of glyphosate can provide good control but only when applied at rates of 3.5 to 5 kg/ha (Banks et al. 1979, Wiese and Lavake 1981, Swan 1982, Peel and Evans 1983). Control is best during the period of early flowering (Alcock and Dickinson 1974) and is slightly more effective when soil moisture is low (Allen 1979). Even at high rates of application, repeated applications are advisable for long-term control. Wide variation in susceptibility to glyphosate has been observed in different biotypes of bindweed, with differences as great as 70% in injury rating for the same rate of application (DeGennaro and Weller 1984a). Tolerant biotypes display increased tolerance with age, while susceptible biotypes do not change.

Dicamba applied at the rate of 4.5 kg/ha can provide excellent control of bindweed, although some damage to agricultural crops has been observed this rate of application (Brinkman 1982). Applications of dicamba plus can also provide good control (Trichota and Foster 1981). Subsurface application of dicamba at a rate of 2 kg/ha is effective, but it has also been shown to damage crop plants (Banks et al. 1979) because of its long residence time (one to three years) in the soil (Swan 1982).

2,4-D can also provide good control at application rates of 4 kg/ha or greater, but it is generally not as effective as glyphosate or dicamba (Swan 1982). Translocation of this herbicide in the plant is generally more effective in seedlings than in older plants (Agbakoba and Goodin 1969). There are also differences in resistance among biotypes to applications of 2,4-D (Whitworth and Muzik 1967).

Hexazionone has been shown to be effective against Convolvulus arvensis but only at a high rate of application (9 kg/ha) (Allen 1979). Fosamine can also provide control but again only at a rate of application (14 kg/ha) high enough to damage crop plants (Wiese and Lavake 1981).

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL: Although an extensive effort has been undertaken to locate a good biological control for Convolvulus arvensis, none is currently available (Rosenthal et al. 1983). There are several insects that will defoliate the plant at high rates, but they are also potentially damaging to other members of the Convolvulaceae such as sweet potato (Ipomoea batatus) and morning-glories (Calystegia spp.).

Monitoring Programs: Populations of Convolvulus arvensis adjacent to Jepson Prairie Preserve, California, are currently being monitored. This management is passive because the weed is not presently known to exist on the preserve. Bindweed does occur at the Vina Plains Preserve, California, but no efforts have yet been made to control it there (Griggs pers. comm. 1988). Contact: Tom Griggs, Preserve Manager, Cosumnes River Preserve, 7100 Desmond Road, Galt, CA 95632. (916) 864-2816.

Management Research Needs: Rates of herbicide applications high enough to kill bindweed have been shown to damage crop plants as well. Information is needed on the effect of chemicals such as glyphosate and dicamba on native plant communities.

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) Michael Kappel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.flickr.com/photos/m-i-k-e/5967976347/
  2. (c) Michael Kappel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://www.flickr.com/photos/m-i-k-e/5967977945/
  3. (c) Boris Lariushin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/herbslariushin/8788168190/
  4. (c) Boris Lariushin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/herbslariushin/8788170654/
  5. (c) Anny Peralta, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Anny Peralta
  6. (c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sam Kieschnick
  7. Adapted by Kate Wagner from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convolvulus_arvensis
  8. Public Domain, http://eol.org/data_objects/24628222
  9. (c) John Hilty, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/29446508
  10. (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/29057067

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