Field Bindweed

Convolvulus arvensis

kon-VOLV-yoo-lus  ar-VEN-sis

Synonyms of Convolvulus arvensis (62) (Updated on 12-16-22 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 12-16-22 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online by Kew lists 203 species in the Convolvulus genus. It is a member of the plant family Convolvulaceae family with 59 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.

One of the many plants I haven’t encountered before on my farm is the Convolvulus arvensis commonly known as the Field Bindweed. There were several flowering in the front area of a friend’s pasture with white flowers with five pale pink stripes. I saw one on the west side with all white flowers and information on Midwest Weeds and Wildflowers says they are commonly all-white or mostly pink. There are five pink bracts on the underside of the flowers which may be why the flowers appeared to have pink stripes. The bracts on the underside of the flower distinguish it from the Hedge Bindweed (Calystegia sepium). Their roots can grow from 8 to 30 feet deep with stems up to 9 feet long. Their roots can send up many shoots and a group of these can spread up to 20′ per year. They produce LOTS of seeds that are viable for up to 30 years!

****UPDATE 2022***

I found this species growing in the ditch along the road in front of the garden (even though I didn’t have one in 2022). It was growing among other plants including Cynanchum laeve (Honey -Vine Climbing Milkweed). The 2022 photos are at the bottom of the page under the links for further reading. I will rearrange the photos at some point. I just wanted to get them on this page while I was making initial updates on 12-16-22.

The leaves kind of reminded me of small Morning Glories.

From the underside, you can see each petal has a pink “stripe” which appears on the upper surface in bright sun.

In another area, there were plants with white flowers.

Don’t forget to check out the links below to websites that give better and more technical botanical language.

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 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
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
MINNESOTA WILDFLOWERS
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
INVASIVE PLANT ATLAS
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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 the most reliable and up-to-date plant database and they make updates on a regular basis. 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. 🙂

PHOTOS FROM 2022…

This photo and the next three below were taken on a friend’s farm on June 16 in 2022.

 

 

 

The above photo and the next seven were taken along the ditch in front of the garden where I live on July 26 in 2022.