Convolvulus arvensis
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Creeping Jenny
- European bindweed
- Morningglory
- Perennial Morningglory
- Smallflowered morning glory
- Phonetic Spelling
- kon-VOLV-yoo-lus ar-VEN-sis
- Description
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Field bindweed is a vine in the Convolvulaceae (morning glory) family native to Europe and Asia. Found growing in moist thickets, fields, lawns, agricultural fields, and disturbed areas. The common name devil's guts refer to its tendency to grow in a messy trailing or twining manner forming tangled dense mats
It is tolerant of poor soils and drought and prefers full sun, though it is most often found growing in moist areas like riparian corridors or areas that receive irrigation. This vine is cold tolerant. Native plants are easily outcompeted by this vine.
Thought to be brought over through contamination of agriculture or horticulture products. It has sometimes been used as a groundcover or in hanging baskets but it quickly escaped cultivation and became weedy and aggressive, especially in disturbed sites.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: While the flowers are beautiful, it is considered an invasive and noxious weed in 35 States, mostly in the west and midwest from Michigan to California. It spreads by seeds, roots, and rhizomes and has an extensive root system making it very difficult to eradicate.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Convolvulus
- Species:
- arvensis
- Family:
- Convolvulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia, Europe and Northern Africa
- Climbing Method:
- Twining
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Vine
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Creeping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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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
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 1/4 inch light brown round seed capsule with 2 seeds. Individual plants produce up to 500 seeds. Seeds remain viable for up to 20 years in the soil.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 3/4 inch funnel-shaped flowers with green bracts one inch below base of the flowering stalk appear in mid summer.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Rhomboidal
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 1-2 in. long and .5-1 inch across leaves are arrowhead-shaped but also vary in shape and size depending on light and soil moisture.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
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Landscape:
- Problems:
- Weedy
