Field Bindweed

Convolvulus arvensis

kon-VOLV-yoo-lus  ar-VEN-sis

Synonyms of Convolvulus arvensis (62) (Updated on 12-14-23 from Plants of the World Online): Convolvulus ambigens House (1905), Convolvulus arvensis f. alvarensis J.Erikson (1901), Convolvulus arvensis var. alvarensis J.Erikson (1901), Convolvulus arvensis var. aphacifolius Pomel (1874), Convolvulus arvensis f. auriculatus (Desr.) Fernald (1950), Convolvulus arvensis var. auriculatus (Desr.) Choisy (1845), Convolvulus arvensis var. biflorus Pau (1932)(nom. illeg.), Convolvulus arvensis var. biflorus Choisy (1845), Convolvulus arvensis var. cherleri (C.Agardh ex Roem. & Schult.) Halácsy (1902), Convolvulus arvensis var. cordifolius Lasch (1829), Convolvulus arvensis f. cordifolius (Lasch) Fernald (1950), Convolvulus arvensis subsp. crispatus Franco (1984), Convolvulus arvensis f. decarrhabdotus P.D.Sell (2009), Convolvulus arvensis f. decemvulnerus P.D.Sell (2009), Convolvulus arvensis var. filicaulis Pomel (1874), Convolvulus arvensis var. hastulatus Meisn. (1869), Convolvulus arvensis var. hirtus Bab. (1839), Convolvulus arvensis var. linearifolius Choisy (1845), Convolvulus arvensis var. macrophyllus Cadevall (1932)(nom. nud.)…. Click HERE to view the full list on POWO… 

Convolvulus arvensis L. is the accepted scientific name for the Field Bindweed. The genus and species were named and described as such by Carl von Linnaeus in the first volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

As of 12-14-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online by Kew lists 204 species in the Convolvulus genus. It is a member of the plant family Convolvulaceae family with 57 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.

Convolvulus arvensis is very widespread as you can see by the above map from Plants of the World Online. Areas in green are where the species is native and purple is where it has been introduced. The map on the USDA Plants Database for North America is similar.

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A BETTER POSITIVE ID.

My first encounter with Convolvulus arvensis was on a friend’s farm in 2019 while I was working in the pasture.

In 2022 when I was working on his landscaping, I noticed a few growing in a pallet that was sitting on its side against a shed… Growing through a crack in concrete!

Also in 2022, I found it growing on the side of a ditch along the street in front of the garden. It was growing with Cynanchum laevis (Honey-Vine Climbing Milkweed). 

Convolvulus arvensis is an introduced species from Europe and Asia. It is quite common in Missouri and throughout North America, although it isn’t as common in the southeast and Canada. It is easily recognized by its vining habit, leaves, and fairly small flowers.

Field Bindweed is said to be one of the top 10 worst weeds in the world. It is very adaptable and has even been found in the Himalayas at 10,000 feet above sea level. Even though it is a vining plant, it doesn’t compete well with taller species. The plant produces rhizome-like roots with “buds” as well as deep roots that can grow around 20-30 feet deep which makes this species very drought-tolerant… Plants produce a lot of seeds that can remain viable for 20-30 years!

Convolvulus arvensis likes growing in full sun in damp to dry soils in just about any type of soil. It can tolerate drought due to its deep roots that can grow to around 20 feet deep. 

The trailing and twining vines can grow 4-10’ long, making this plant spread up to 20’ in diameter per year! The vines twine around each other if there are no other plants to climb on.

The leaves grow alternately along the vines on fairly short petioles (leaf stems) with adaxial grooves. Leaves are arrowhead-shaped with two-lobed at the base (sagittate or hastate) and taper to a bluntly or sharply pointed tip.

The leaves can vary somewhat in shape and could have a few shallow teeth on the basal lobes. The margins are normally smooth (glabrous) or slightly hairy (pubescent).

Flowers are produced along the vines as a single flower or a group of two or three on long pedicles (flower stems) that emerge sporadically from the axis of the leaf nodes.

The funnelform to bell-shaped flowers consists of 5 shallowly-lobed corollas (petals) that can be white to light pink in color with greenish to yellow throats.

The corollas are subtended by a calyx with 5 sepals. There are also 2 small, narrow, scale-like bracts around an inch below the calyx.

There are 5 stamens that are fused to the corolla tube, white filaments that are flattened and broad at the base and pinkish-white anthers. The stamens surround a superior white ovary with a divided style, 2 white to pale yellow stigmas.

The above photo is from the Missouri Plants website. I have been using Missouri Plants since 2013 to help identify the wildflowers on this site. Each page has great descriptions and photos which are available by permission for non-commercial, educational use.

From the underside of the above flower, you can see each petal has a pink “stripe” which appears on the upper surface in bright sun. I need to investigate this further as from the photos, they appear to be from the calyx. I need to see this in person…

Convolvulus arvensis flowers are pollinated by bees, and flies and are also self-fertile. Flowers from May through September.

The flower’s ovary becomes a round 2 locular (celled) seed capsule containing 1-4 seeds. The seeds remain viable for 20-30 years.

MaltaWildPlants.com was created by Stephen Mifsud in 2000 and it has grown to include over 1,365 species in 127 plant families with 12,177 photos (as of 2-20-24). Stephen is a botanist and has done a great job researching the wildflowers on the Maltese Islands (south of Italy and north of Libya). Each page includes a lot of useful information and AWESOME photos. I appreciate him allowing me to use this great photo. To go to his page for Convolvulus arvensis, click HERE.

The summer of 2023 was very hot and dry, the worst I have ever seen. Most of the wildflowers fizzled out by midsummer. I didn’t take any photos of the Field Bindweed in the ditch, but they were alive and well. In 2024, I will attempt to take better close-ups. Practice makes perfect…

There are a few more photos at the bottom of the page…

I have enjoyed photographing and learning about the many wildflowers growing on the farm and in other areas. I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 wildflower species (most have pages listed on the right side of the site). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a horticulturalist I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be somewhat variable from location to location, so sometimes it gets a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and provide much more information. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF MISSOURI (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
iNATURALIST
DAVE’S GARDEN
MISSOURI PLANTS
MSU-MIDWEST WEEDS AND WILDFLOWERS
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
INVASIVE PLANT ATLAS
MALTA WILD PLANTS
MINNESOTA WILDFLOWERS
OREGON FLORA
WILDFLOWERS-AND-WEEDS

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂

MORE PHOTOS…