Hedge bindweed - Calystegia sepium (L.) R.Br.
Family: Convolvulaceae (Morningglory family)
Life cycle: Perennial, reproduces by seed, and has deep vegetative rootstocks
Native status: Native to North America
Habitat: Crop fields, fence lines, waste areas, ornamental plantings
General description: Twining, herbaceous vine with alternate, lanceolate leaves. Leaves have distinct basal lobes, resulting in five angles. White, funnel-shaped flower with two large bracts that clasp the base of the flower.
Key ID traits: Vine growth habit, alternate leaves with distinct basal lobes; large bracts at base of flowers.
Similar species: Field bindweed generally has smaller leaves without basal lobes; wild buckwheat is an annual and has an ochrea at the base of leaf petioles and inconspicuous flowers; honeyvine milkweed has opposite, heart-shaped leaves; morningglory species in Iowa either have heart- shaped (tall) or three-lobed (ivyleaf) leaves.
Miscellaneous: The root system of hedge bindweed is less extensive than that of field bindweed; thus, hedge bindweed invades crop fields and other intensively disturbed areas less frequently than field bindweed.
- Retired Weed Scientist and Professor of Agronomy
- Field Agronomist in Central Iowa