Plant DetailShow Menu

Similar but less problematic plants:
Jasminum officinale White, star-shaped flowers.
Convolvulus arvensis is often confused with:
Calystegia sepium Pink Flowers
Native alternative(s) for Convolvulus arvensis:
Clematis crispa Clematis crispa
Hydrangea barbara Flowers
Passiflora incarnata Flower
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Antirrhinum majus Antirrhinum majus
Clematis terniflora form in landscape on arbor in late summer
Conium maculatum White flower clusters.

Devil's guts Convolvulus arvensis

Other plants called Devil's guts:

Previously known as:

  • Creeping Jenny
  • European bindweed
  • Morningglory
  • Perennial Morningglory
  • Smallflowered morning glory
Phonetic Spelling
kon-VOLV-yoo-lus ar-VEN-sis
Description

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:
Tags:
#showy flowers#white flowers#pink flowers#temperate#fall interest#high maintenance#moist soil#aggressive#summer flowers#delicate#disturbed areas#vine#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#white flowers#pink flowers#temperate#fall interest#high maintenance#moist soil#aggressive#summer flowers#delicate#disturbed areas#vine#weed
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Vine
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Creeping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
  • Landscape:
    Problems:
    Weedy