Field Bindweed

Convolvulus arvensis L.

Family: Convolvulaceae

Description and Life Cycle

Field bindweed is a perennial with branching prostrate stems reaching over 1 meter long. It grows into a tangled dense groundcover mat or climbs over anything in its vicinity. It reproduces by seed and root buds. It has an extensive cord-like root system with a tap root that can penetrate 5 m into soils. Leaves are variable in size, arrowhead-shaped with pointed blunt lobes at the base. The stalked leaves are arranged alternately along counter-clockwise twining stems. Trumpet or bell-shaped, white and pink flowers measuring 2.5 cm in diameter appear from June to September. The stalked flowers can be solitary or in groups of 2 – 4. The seedpods have two chambers that contain up to four smooth, 3 mm pear shaped seeds, which can remain viable for 50 years.

Biological Control Agents

• Aceria malherbae – Mite
• Chirida guttata – Beetle
• Metriona bicolor – Beetle

References

Cranston, R., D. Ralph and B. Wikeem. 2005. Field guide to noxious and other selected weeds of British Columbia. Gov. of BC. 94 p.

Frankton, Clarence and Gerald A. Mulligan. 1987. Weeds of Canada.

Whitson, T. D. (editor), L. C. Burrill, S. A. Dewey, D. W. Cudney, B. E. Nelson, R. D. Lee and R. Parker. 1992. Weeds of the west. Western Soc. Weed Sci. and Western U. S. Land Grant Univer., Cooperative Extension Serv.