Calystegia sepium

A native perennial vine that is up to 10' long, often climbing over other herbaceous plants and shrubs. The twining stems are light green or red, upon which the leaves occur rather sparsely. These leaves are about 4-5" and 2-3" across when mature. They often have an arrowhead shape, which is deeply incised at the base. Otherwise, they are cordate, deltoid, or ovate, with different forms occurring even on the same plant. The flowering buds are white or light lavender, from which funnel-shaped flowers unfurl that assume the same colors. Each flower is about 2½-3" across and has a yellow throat, from which the sexual organs barely protrude, appearing as a small white spike. The flowers open during the morning, and bloom sporadically all summer during sunny weather. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous, and may extend into the ground up to 10'. American Bindweed spreads vegetatively and by seeds.

Some greenhouse studies (Quinn, 1974) indicate that Hedge Bindweed has allelopathic tendencies, which no doubt contributes to its aggressive nature. The flowers are showy and attractive when fully open. This plant also occurs in the Old World; different varieties have been identified.

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Hedge Bindweed occurs throughout Illinois, especially in the central and northern areas (see Distribution Map). It is considered a noxious weed in a few states, but is not listed as such in Illinois. In natural areas, this plant occurs at the edges of moist to mesic prairies, thickets, woodland borders, and floodplain areas along lakes and rivers.. Habitats in developed areas include cropland, pastures, abandoned fields, fence rows, urban waste areas, or areas along roadsides and railroads, where it is frequently encountered. Hedge Bindweed is more common in disturbed areas.

Calystegia sepium (L.) R. Br.:
Brazil (South America)
China (Asia)
Japan (Asia)
South Korea (Asia)
United States (North America)
South Africa (Africa & Madagascar)
Russian Federation (Asia)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Hedge Bindweed occurs throughout Illinois, especially in the central and northern areas (see Distribution Map). It is considered a noxious weed in a few states, but is not listed as such in Illinois. In natural areas, this plant occurs at the edges of moist to mesic prairies, thickets, woodland borders, and floodplain areas along lakes and rivers.. Habitats in developed areas include cropland, pastures, abandoned fields, fence rows, urban waste areas, or areas along roadsides and railroads, where it is frequently encountered. Hedge Bindweed is more common in disturbed areas.

Depth range based on 6 specimens in 1 taxon.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 1 - 1
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

Long-tongued bees are the primary pollinators of the flowers, including bumblebees, Little Carpenter bees, and the oligoleges Melitoma taurea (Mallow Bee), Peponapis pruinosa pruinosa (Squash & Gourd Bee), and Cemolobus ipomoea (Morning Glory Bee). It is possible that day-flying Sphinx moths may visit the flowers during the morning. All of these insects seek nectar. The foilage is eaten by the caterpillars of Emmelina monodictyla (Common Plume Moth), as well as several Tortoise Beetles, including Chelymorpha cassidea (Argus Tortoise Beetle). Mammalian herbivores tend to ignore this plant when other food sources are available. To a limited extent, the Bobwhite and Ring-Necked Pheasant eat the seeds.

In Great Britain and/or Ireland:
Foodplant / spot causer
epiphyllous, scattered pycnidium of Ascochyta coelomycetous anamorph of Ascochyta calystegiae causes spots on leaf of Calystegia sepium
Remarks: season: 10

Foodplant / feeds on
larva of Emmelina argoteles feeds on live leaf of Calystegia sepium
Remarks: season: 5-late 9

Foodplant / parasite
Erysiphe convolvuli parasitises live Calystegia sepium

Foodplant / open feeder
adult of Longitarsus rubiginosus grazes on leaf of Calystegia sepium

Foodplant / saprobe
gregarious, prominent pycnidium of Phomopsis coelomycetous anamorph of Phomopsis calystegiae is saprobic on dead, sometimes locally bleached stem of Calystegia sepium
Remarks: season: 1-3

Foodplant / spot causer
elongatedly patchy aecium of Puccinia convolvuli causes spots on live petiole of Calystegia sepium
Other: sole host/prey

Foodplant / spot causer
epiphyllous, immersed, brown pycnidium of Septoria coelomycetous anamorph of Septoria convolvuli causes spots on fading leaf of Calystegia sepium
Remarks: season: 7-8

Foodplant / spot causer
few, hypophyllous, immersed, pallid pycnidium of Stagonospora coelomycetous anamorph of Stagonospora calystegiae causes spots on fading leaf of Calystegia sepium
Remarks: season: 7-9

Foodplant / gall
Thecaphorella anamorph of Thecaphora seminis-convolvuli causes gall of swollen, stunted anther of Calystegia sepium
Remarks: season: 6-10

Foodplant / feeds on
Thrips fuscipennis feeds on pollen of Calystegia sepium

Foodplant / feeds on
Thrips major feeds on pollen of Calystegia sepium

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 12
Specimens with Barcodes: 18
Species With Barcodes: 1

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

This is an easy and adaptable plant, preferring full to partial sun and moist to mesic conditions. It tolerates poor soil, often flourishing in areas that are rocky or gravelly. American Bindweed readily climbs a trellis, fences, and neighboring plants, while in open areas it sprawls haphazardly across the ground. The climbing ability is the result of the stems twining tightly about slender objects. This plant can spread aggressively and become a nuisance in some locations.