Convolvulus arvensis

Common Names: Field bindweed, creeping jenny, morningglory.

Family: Convolvulaceae

Synonymy: Convolvulus ambigens, Convolvulus incanum, Strophocaulos arvensis

Etymology: In Latin, Convolvere means to entwine, and arvensis refers of cultivated fields.

Identification

Growth form: Field bindweed is a trailing vine to 4 feet, and is a prostrate perennial.

Roots: The root system consists of a deep tap root to 10 feet deep which give rise to many lateral roots.

Stem: Stems are prostrate, 1-4(or 10) feet long.

Leaves: Leaves are dark green, alternate and arrowhead-shaped, pointed or blunt lobes at the base.

Inflorescence/flowers: Flowers are bell or trumpet-shaped, white to pinkish, approximately 1 inch in diameter with 2 small bracts located 1 inch below the flower.

Fruit: Fruit is a small, round capsule, usually 4 seeded. Seeds are dark brown, globe-shaped with a pointed tip.

Similar species: Field bindweed is very similar many morningglory species including, Ipomoea purpurea.

Ecology

Life history: Long-lived perennial.

Native/introduced: Introduced from Europe.

Photosynthetic pathway: C3

Phenology: Ipomoea coccinea is flowering from March-November.

Distribution: Found in all parts of the U.S. except the southeastern states. 100-8500 feet, but can be found as high as 10, 0000 feet.

References

1.  W.B. Mcdougall. 1973. Seed Plants of Northern Arizona. Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff.

2.  Parker Kittie F. 1972. An Illustrated Guide to Arizona Weeds. 1972. University of Arizona Press. Tucson, AZ. Fourth printing 1990.

3.  T.D. Whitson, L. Burrill, S. Dewey, D. Cudney, Nelson, Lee. 1992. Weeds of the West. Western Society of Weed Science.

4.  U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1971. Common Weeds of the United States. Dover Publications Inc. New York, NY.

5.  Epple, Anne orth. 1995. A Field Guide to the Plants of Arizona. LewAnn Publishing Co. Mesa, AZ.

6.  Foxx and Hoard. 1995. Flowering Plants of the Southwestern Woodlands. Otowi Crossing Press. Los Alamos, NM.

7.  Parker, Kittie F. 1973. Arizona Ranch, Farm and Garden Weeds, Circular 265.Agriculture Extension Service. University of Arizona. Tucson, AZ.

8.  Convolvulus arvensis L. http://usgssrv1.usgs.nau.edu/swepic/factsheets/Convolvulus _arvensis.pdf