Hedge bindweed flowers

Hedge bindweed

This perennial vine has extensive -- but shallow -- roots. Plants can regenerate and spread from 1-inch fragments.

Hedge bindweed

Calystegia sepium

Plant family: Convolvulaceae (Morning glory family)

Life cycle: Perennial

Reproduction: Root fragments and seed

Leaves: Leaves are alternate and triangular with sharply pointed apices. The leaf base is deeply lobed, especially compared to field bindweed. Leaves, which are smooth, can be up to 5 inches in length.

Roots: Extensive, but shallow, rhizomatous root system. Root fragments as small as 1 inch in size are capable of regrowth.

Flowers: White, trumpet shaped flowers that are mostly greater than 2 inches in length. Bracts are large, leafy and cover the base of the flower.

Seeds: Seed are brown to black, egg-shaped and persistent in the soil (decades).

Spreads via root fragments

Hedge bindweed is a perennial vine in the Convolvulaceae (morning glory family) The species has an extensive, but shallow, rhizomatous root system. Much like field bindweed, it can spread via the regeneration of fragmented rhizomes. Like field bindweed, pieces 1 inch in size can regrow

Hedge bindweed vs. field bindweed leaves
Hedge bindweed (left) vs. field bindweed leaves

Image above: Hedge bindweed (left) vs. field bindweed leaves.

Seedlings emerge in spring/early summer. Cotyledons are square with prominent indentations at the apex. Leaves are alternate and triangular with sharply pointed apices. The leaf base is deeply lobed, especially compared to field bindweed. Leaves, which are smooth, can be up to 5 inches in length. Vines can be up to 9 feet long

Hedge bindweed roots
Hedge bindweed roots. Photo courtesy of Dr. Andrew Senesac.
Field bindweed roots
Field bindweed roots. Photo courtesy of Dr. Andrew Senesac

Images above: Hedge bindweed (left) vs. field bindweed root systems. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Andrew Senesac)

Hedge bindweed flower
Hedge bindweed flower.
Hedge bindweed leaf and capsule
Hedge bindweed leaf and capsule.

Image above left: Hedge bindweed flower with bracts. Image above right: Leaf and capsule.

Flowers (usually white, sometimes pink, especially on Long Island) are produced in mid to late summer and into the fall. Flowers are solitary in leaf axils and white in color. Hedge bindweed flowers are also trumpet-or funnel-shaped (due to their fused petals) and larger that those of field bindweed (greater than 2 inches in length). Unlike field bindweed, the bracts of hedge bindweed are very prominent (concealing the sepals) and overlap at the base of the flower.

Brown to black, egg-shaped seed are produced in papery capsules. Seed are dormant and persistent in the soil.