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BC Conservation Data Centre: Species Summary


Convolvulus arvensis
field bindweed

 
Scientific Name: Convolvulus arvensis L.
English Name: field bindweed
 
Classification / Taxonomy
Scientific Name - Concept Reference: Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Classification Level: Species
Species Group: Vascular Plant
Species Code: CONVARV
Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family
Plantae Anthophyta Dicotyledoneae Solanales Convolvulaceae
   
Conservation Status / Legal Designation
Global Status: GNR (Mar 1994)
Provincial Status: SNA (Apr 2019)
BC List: Exotic
Provincial FRPA list:   
Provincial Wildlife Act:
COSEWIC Status:
SARA Schedule:
General Status Canada: 7 - Exotic (2010)
   
Ecology & Life History
General Description:
Technical Description: The following description is taken from Munz and Keck (1973), Weaver and Riley (1982), and Cronquist et al. (1984).

The root system and rhizomes are extensive, whitish, cordlike, and fleshy. Stems are slender, prostrate, glabrous to pubescent, twining or trailing, branched, 3-10 dm long, often forming dense, tangled mats.

Leaves are alternate, simple, petiolate, glabrous to finely pubescent; the blades 1.5-5 cm long, 1-3.5 cm wide, varying in size and shape, including triangular to ovate-oblong with hastate, cordate, or sagittate basal lobes, obtuse to rounded at the apex, and with entire margins. The petioles are slender and 0.5-2.5 (3.5) cm long.

Flowers are borne singly or in pairs on 0.5-3 cm long peduncles from the leaf axils. Two mostly subulate to narrowly spathulate bracts, 1-3 (10) mm long, are inserted 1-2.5 cm below the flower. The calyx of five green sepals is 3-5 mm long; the segments broadly obovate, rounded to retuse, the margins hyaline and often ciliate. The corolla is white or with some pink, broadly funnelform, 1.5-3 cm long and 2.2-3.5 cm wide when fully opened. Five stamens of unequal length, 2-3 mm, are attached near the base of the corolla. The pistil is compound with two threadlike stigmas, and the ovary is two-celled.

The capsule is subglobose, 5-7 mm long, and contains 1 to 4 seeds. Seeds are ovoid to pear-shaped, 3-5 mm long, three- angled, with one rounded and two flattened sides, dull brownish- gray, and coarsely roughened. The cotyledons of the seedling are opposite, glabrous, and have a reniform blade with an emarginate apex.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Convolvulus arvensis can be confused with several other members of the Convolvulaceae (Morning-glory family). C. sepium is quite similar in appearance but can be distinguished by its larger leaves, flowers, and seeds, and by two large bracts inserted at the base of the flower. C. spithamaeus is shorter than C. arvensis and is erect with oval leaves. Several species of Ipomoea resemble C. arvensis, but they can be distinguished by their annual habit, capitate stigma, longer sepals, and blue or purple corolla. Polygonum convolvulus (Polygonaceae) can be confused with C. arvensis due to its arrow-shaped leaves and twining stems but is distinguished by its annual habit and clusters of small green flowers in the leaf axils.
Similar Species:
Global Ecology Comments: The extensive root system of Convolvulus arvensis enables it to colonize new areas rapidly. The primary root is a taproot from which lateral roots develop. Most lateral roots die back each year, but some persist for several years, spreading horizontally. Buds arise on the lateral roots 50-100 cm from the parent taproot (Hickman and Swan 1983) and develop into rhizomes that have the potential to establish new crowns when they reach the surface (Weaver and Riley 1982). Excised root segments establish new roots and crowns more effectively than rhizome segments. The periods of best establishment are spring and late summer (Swan and Chancelor 1976), which coincide with the normal tillage period in agriculture. In general, root regeneration from vertical roots and rhizomes is probably more important than from lateral root segments.

Convolvulus arvensis has the potential for extensive lateral spread through regeneration from underground parts. Best (1963) found that a 5-cm section of a lateral root with buds could produce as many as 25 shoots four months after planting. Four months after transplanting, shoots can be produced up to 120 cm from the transplant. Shoots can be found nearly 300 cm away from the transplant after 15 months. Even young seedlings have the ability to resprout successfully. Swan (1983) cut bindweed seedlings 1 cm below the surface and studied subsequent regeneration. Regrowth occurred one to four weeks after plants were cut and was correlated more strongly with the age of the seedlings than with the aboveground biomass. All plants cut 44 days after emergence regenerated, but some plants cut only 20 days after emergence regenerated as well.

Convolvulus arvensis overwinters by means of its roots and rhizomes. Shoots are killed back to the crown by freezing temperatures, but hardened roots can withstand temperatures as low as -6 C (Weaver and Riley 1982). During the winter dormant period, food reserves in the plant remain stable as only a small amount is used in respiration. The reserves are gradually depleted during emergence and leaf development. Leaves return carbohydrates to the roots, but until the later growth stages, food is used faster than it is replaced (Swan 1980). The large carbohydrate reserve in roots contributes to the regenerative capacity of C. arvensis. Roots commonly grow to a depth of 2 m but have been found as deep as 9 m (Phillips 1978).

Natural variation in morphology and growth of Convolvulus arvensis is evidenced by different biotypes. Among biotypes are found differences in leaf morphology, floral characteristics, and biomass allocation to roots and shoots (DeGennaro and Weller 1982). Time of flowering can vary by as much as 23 days, with earliest flowering plants having 19 times more flowers per plant than the latest flowering plants. The number of root buds that develop into shoots can vary from 2% to 75% (Degennaro and Weller 1984b). Biotypes can also be distinguished by differences in resistance to herbicides. For a given rate of application of glyphosate, top kill can vary from 25% to 100%. Glyphosate application of 1.7 kg/ha killed 100% of a sensitive type, while an application of 3.4 kg/ha killed only 40% of a resistant type (DeGennaro and Weller 1984a). Biotypes appear to be self-incompatible, thereby insuring outcrossing and maximum genetic variability in the next generation.

Environmental conditions also affect the morphological and physiological characteristics of C. arvensis. Plants growing under low-moisture conditions have smaller leaves with more cuticular wax. Plants growing in semi-arid regions are usually more resistant to control than in humid regions because they have less leaf area, thicker cuticles, lower leaf-to-root ratios, and generally slower metabolic processes (Meyer 1978).

Seed production is variable and depends on environmental conditions. Seed set is usually greater in dry, warm weather and on dry, calcareous soils, and it is usually poor during rainy periods or in poorly drained soil (Whitesides 1979). Each seed weighs about 10 mg. The number of seeds produced per plant ranges from 25 to 300, although the spatial limit of a plant is sometimes difficult to determine (Weaver and Riley 1982). Seeds have a hard, impermeable seed coat. They generally fall near the parent plant but can be dispersed by mammals and birds after ingestion, by water, and as a contaminant in crop seeds (Holm et al. 1977).

Convolvulus arvensis seeds can remain viable in the soil for over 20 years (Timmons 1949). Seeds are able to germinate as soon as 15 days after pollination, and scarified seeds will germinate over a wide range of temperatures (Weaver and Riley 1982). Chilling greatly enhances germination by increasing seed coat porosity and enhancing for the exchange of gases and water. Seeds chilled at 5 C for 21 and 24 days had germination rates of 55% and 85%, respectively, as compared to 10% for unchilled seeds (Jordan and Jordan 1982).
Habitats:
(Type / Subtype / Dependence)
Global Habitat Comments: Convolvulus arvensis is distributed throughout the world from latitude 60 degrees N to 45 degrees S and is found in temperate, tropical, and Mediterranean climates (Holm et al. 1977). It is found in dry to moderately moist soils and can survive long periods of drought. It grows best on fertile soils but persists on poor, rocky soils as well. It is a troublesome weed in cultivated fields, pastures, gardens, roadsides, and various native plant communities. It is found in large patches rather than as isolated plants and grows best in open communities in association with annual, biennial, and short-lived weeds (Weaver and Riley 1982).
Provincial Phenology:
(1st half of month/
2nd half of month)
Elevation (m) (min / max): Provincial: 
Known Pests:
Pollen Vector:
Pollinator: Flowers open for only one day and are insect pollinated. Nectar produced at the base of the corolla attracts halictid bees, honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies, and moths (Waddington 1976).
Dispersal:
   
 
Provincial Inventory
Inventory Priority:
Ownership of occurrences (Known locations):
Inventory Need:
 
Economic Attributes
Global Economic Comments: Convolvulus arvensis is one of the world's worst agricultural weeds and reduces yields in a large variety of crops. It has a large negative economic impact on agriculture and results in annual crop losses of over $25 million in California alone (Rosenthal 1983).
 
Distribution
Endemic: N
Global Range Comment: Convolvulus arvensis is a native of Eurasia and was introduced to North America in the 1730s (Wiese and Phillips 1976). It spread westward, reaching Pennsylvania by 1812, Kansas by 1877, and all the western states by 1900 (Whitesides 1979). It was first reported in California near San Francisco in 1838 and now infests 1.8 million acres in the state (Rosenthal 1983). It is spread by sowing contaminated crop seed, planting nursery stock containing convolvulus roots, and seed or plant parts carried by animals and humans (Swan 1980).
Disjunct, more common elsewhere:
Peripheral, major distribution elsewhere:
 
Authors / Contributors
Global Information Author: DAVID L. PETERSON, USDA FOREST SERVICE
Last Updated: Oct 17, 1988
Provincial Information Author:
Last Updated:
Last Literature Search:
   
References and Related Literature
Best, K. F. 1963. Note on the extent of lateral spread of field bindweed. Can. J. Plant Sci. 43: 230-232.
Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal, and P.K. Holmgren. 1984. Intermountain Flora: Vascular Plants of the Intermountain West, U.S.A. Vol. 4, Subclass Asteridae (except Asteraceae). New York Botanical Garden, Bronx. 573 pp.
DeGennaro, F. P., and S. C. Weller. 1982. Field bindweed biotype studies in Indiana. Proc. N. Cent. Weed Control Conf. 37: 47-48.
DeGennaro, F. P., and S. C. Weller. 1984a. Differential susceptibility of field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) biotypes to glyphosate. Weed Sci. 32: 472-524.
DeGennaro, F. P., and S. C. Weller. 1984b. Growth and reproductive characteristics of field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) biotypes. Weed Sci. 32: 525-528.
Hickman, M. V., and D. G. Swan. 1983. Comparison of rhizomes to lateral roots of field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.) for seasonal variation in establishment. Proc. W. Soc. Weed Sci. 36: 77-81.
Holm, L.G., P. Donald, J.V. Pancho, and J.P. Herberger. 1977. The World's Worst Weeds: Distribution and Biology. The University Press of Hawaii: Honolulu, Hawaii. 609 pp.
Jordon, L. S., and J. L. Jordan. 1982. Effect of pre-chilling on Convolvulus arvensis L. seed coat and germination. Ann. Bot. 49: 421-423.
Meyer, L. J. 1978. The influence of environment on growth and control of field bindweed. Proc. N. Cent. Weed Control Conf. 33: 141-142.
Munz, P.A., and D.D. Keck. 1973. A California Flora and Supplement. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA. 1905 pp.
Phillips, W. M. 1978. Field bindweed: the weed and the problem. Proc. N. Cent. Weed Control Conf. 33: 140-141.
Rosenthal, S. S. 1983. Field bindweed in California: extent and cost of infestation. Calif. Agric. 37: 16-17.
Swan, D. G. 1980. Field bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis L. Washington State Univ. Coll. of Agric. Research Center Bull. 0888. Pullman, Washington.
Swan, D. G. 1983. Regeneration of field bindweed seedlings. Proc. W. Soc. Weed Sci. 36:18.
Timmons, J. 1949. Duration of viability of bindweed seed under field conditions and experimental results in the control of bindweed seedlings. Agron. J. 41: 130-133.
Waddington, K. D. 1976. Foraging patterns of halictid bees at flowers of Convolvulus arvensis L. Psyche 83: 112-119.
Weaver, S. E., and W. R. Riley. 1982. The biology of Canadian weeds. 53. Convolvulus arvensis L. Can. J. Plant Sci. 62: 461-472.
Whitesides, R. E. 1979. Field bindweed: a growth stage indexing system and its relation to control with glyphosate. Ph.D. Thesis, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
 

Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for definitions of the data fields used in this summary report.

Suggested Citation:

B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 1988. Species Summary: Convolvulus arvensis. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 3, 2026).