Hedge bindweed

Calystegia sepium L. R. Br.

Family: Convolvulaceae

Description and Life Cycle:

Hedge bindweed is a unique type of annual (clonal pseudo-annual) and, therefore, is often referred to as a perennial. The parent "dies" in the fall, but, prior to dying it produces rhizomes and seeds that overwinter. The rhizomatous roots are elongated, but, lack underground stolons. The stems twine, trail or climb to 3 m. Plants in the Convolvulaceae family always twine from right to left, which is opposite the course of the sun. The leaves are heart or arrow-shaped with rounded or angled (not pointed) basal lobes. Leaves attach to the stem with long stalks in an alternate arrangement. The leaves are delicate and thin textured, measuring 5 - 10 cm long and 2.5 - 5 cm wide. Solitary flowers are borne on square stalks from within the leaf axils. The showy white to deep pink, trumpet shaped flowers are present from July to September, and measure 4 - 7 cm long. The flowers fully expand during sunny days, but, stay closed during dull weather. Seeds are produced in 1 cm long capsules which split when mature. Each capsule contains 2 - 4 seeds, each measuring 5 mm long. The seeds are slightly roughened and can be dull gray, brown or black coloured. Hedge bindweed is intolerant of shade.

Note - Worldwide there are 25 Calystegia species. In Canada two species are native. In the United States, 16 of their 17 species are native. The plants morphology is not clear, but, it is known to readily hybridize. The geographic distributions of the plant species merge and overlap, making it difficult to divide the subspecies.

British Columbia Biological Control Agents

• Chirida guttata - beetle
• Metriona bicolor - beetle