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Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)
BACKGROUND
Field bindweed is a Eurasian native that has thoroughly naturalized
itself in North America. It reproduces both
from
seed and creeping roots and is found in extremely diverse environmental
conditions. Seeds can remain viable in soil for 50 or more years. Field
bindweed is agriculture's twelfth most serious weed species.
DESCRIPTION Field bindweed is a
perennial vine that dies back each
year. Leaves are alternate, up to 2
inches long, and arrowhead shaped. Twisted stems may be 6 feet long, forming
dense mats or climbing other vegetation. Flowers are borne in leaf
axils from June until September, are white
to pink, 1 inch wide, and funnel shaped. A pair of small
bracts is found ¼ to 1 inch below the
flower. Seeds are hard, triangular, and borne in groups of 4 in a capsule.
DISTRIBUTION
Field bindweed is found throughout the U. S. except
for the extreme
Southeast, and southernmost Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico.
CONTROL Biological control agents are
unproven, but herbicides can control this weed. Tillage 2 weeks after the
plant emerges and continuing every 2 weeks during the growing season over a
period of 2 to 3 years will also kill the plant.
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© 1999 University of Idaho:
Text and photographs for these pages from Idaho's Noxious Weeds, by
Robert H. Callihan and Timothy W. Miller (revised by Don W. Morishita
and Larry W. Lass).
Please contact: Ag Publishing, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
83844-2240; 208 882-7982;
cking@uidaho.edu; or visit the Resources for Idaho website at
http://info.ag.uidaho.edu, for more information about this or other
publications. |
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