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Appalachia False Bindweed Calystegia sepium

Previously known as:

  • Convolvulus sepium
Phonetic Spelling
kal-ih-STEE-jee-uh SEP-ee-um
Description

 Hedge bindweed is a perennial, herbaceous weedy vine or wildflower in the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae). This vine climbs vertically and spreads horizontally, twinning around objects or other plants and tolerates nearly any growing conditions. It is known to produce allelopathic chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plants near by  It can be found growing in disturbed areas including, cropland, pastures, abandoned fields, streams and areas along roadsides and railroads.

The plant is native to Eurasia but is found throughout the continental United States. Many of those states list the plant as a noxious weed. It can be mistaken for large bindweed but the flowers for hedge bindweed have bracts that do not overlap, unlike large bindweed. The plant is difficult to eradicate as is able to regrow from any part of rhizomes left in the ground and also self-seeds.  

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. This vine can spread aggressively and become a nuisance in some locations.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#pink flowers#aggressive#spreading#climbing vines#twining vine#perennial weeds#weedy vine#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#pink flowers#aggressive#spreading#climbing vines#twining vine#perennial weeds#weedy vine#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Calystegia
    Species:
    sepium
    Family:
    Convolvulaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eurasia
    Distribution:
    USA: Lower continental 48 states. Canada: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Climbing Method:
    Twining
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Vine
    Weed
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Climbing
    Horizontal
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Prickles
    Spines
    Thorns
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Oval seed capsules are a little less than ½ inch across. 2-4 dull brown to black seeds are released when the capsule splits open
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Living for one day, the white to pink funnel-shaped flowers close up around noon unless it is cloudy. The slightly 5-lobed flowers are 2.5- 3 inches across with bracts at the base that do not overlap. The corollas are white to pale pink and deep in the throat is yellow. Slender petioles are about 1/2 the length of the leaves. Bloom time is summer
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    2.5- 5 inch by 1-2 inch leathery alternate leaves are triangular in shape and sparsely to moderately distributed along the stems. The basal lobes are squared off but sometimes more rounded. and strongly indented. Paler undersides may have fine hairs. Margins are slightly hairy.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Zig Zags
    Stem Lenticels:
    Not Conspicuous
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    The twining stems are light green to red, glabrous to slightly hairy, and terete.
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Pollution
    Poor Soil
    Problems:
    Weedy