Convolvulus arvensis (Field Bindweed): Minnesota Wildflowers (2024)

Plant Info
Also known as:
Genus:	Convolvulus
Family:	Convolvulaceae (Morning Glory)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	Eurasia
Status:	Noxious Weed Weedy
Habitat:	sun; fields, waste areas
Bloom season:	June - September
Plant height:	1 to 6 foot vine
Wetland Indicator Status:	none
MN county distribution (click map to enlarge):
National distribution (click map to enlarge):

Pick an image for a larger view. See the glossary for icon descriptions.

Detailed Information

Flower:

1 to 2-inch across, stalked, funnel-shaped flower, with 1 to 4 flowers arising from the leaf axils. Each flower is 5 petals fused together with a spot of yellow at the throat; petal color is white to pink. A flower lasts only 1 day, opening on sunny mornings and closing in the afternoon.

Leaves and stem:

Leaves are 1 to 2 inches long and up to 1 inch across with smooth edges, alternately attached. Leaves are typically arrowhead-shaped with a pointed tip, but are somewhat variable. This vine lacks tendrils, so the stem wraps around other plants for support.

Notes:

Similar to Hedge Bindweed (Calystegia sepium), but with smaller flowers and leaves. Field Bindweed is usually found creeping along the ground but may climb fences or other plants. It can form large mats from its spreading root system and is on the noxious weed list for some Minnesota counties.

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More photos

Field Bindweed plant
more plants
pink flowers
a mass of Field Bindweed
more flowers

Photos by K. Chayka taken at Long Lake Regional Park, Ramsey County. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken in Goodhue County.

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: HKP - Mankato
on: 2010-06-18 14:17:32

Hi - Got this plant into the garden along w. perennials. Been trying for years to clean up - it's the hardiest weed I've ever encountered. Am gaining on it, but it is hard. Been told it's a morning glory, which is broadly true, the flowers are similar, but the leaves are arrow shaped, just like the pictures on this site. Thanks for your part in clearing up the mystery!

Posted by: mary - apple valley
on: 2011-08-06 07:58:26

ARGH! this weed has turned up in my garden and going crazy. Its everywhere and would love to know how to get rid of this beast!Thanks, Mary

Brenda, there is a native morning glory that looks very similar to field bindweed, but has larger flowers - hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium). It typically grows in moister soils than field bindweed.

Posted by: Kim W - Blue Earth County- Mankato
on: 2017-08-06 21:10:04

Have this growing in the yard a few years ago and thought it was morning glory until looking at Mn wildflower list today. We have seen it near Sibley Park also.

Posted by: Linda Merritt - Hackensack
on: 2018-07-02 08:37:45

I've noticed a vine that is in a wooded area that wraps itself around branches, trees and anything it touches. I have not seen a flower, nor have I been able to find where it starts. I have pulled what I could reach and it untangles fairly easy, but would break before I could find the beginning.

Posted by: gary - Carlton County
on: 2020-07-26 20:32:54

I think this may have found a home at my place. A few years ago I found a morning glory vine in an old field (a former hayfield). It was not much, just a few spindly vines. Now it has expanded and there are more vines. So far no flowers so maybe it also spreads by rhizomes or roots? I have no idea how it got here. I am reasonably confident it is not Calystegia sepium which I'd rather have especially for the moth Bedellia somnulentella whose larvae mine into morning glory leaves. If you haven't guessed I plant native plants to feed moth caterpillars.

Posted by: Laurie Grotnes - Rural Battle Lake
on: 2023-06-25 14:49:37

Initially was so excited to see this beautiful flower appear in my back yard in amongst the grass, which is more sparse due to no rain. After reading about it's invasiveness, am thinking I should pull it out and burn it. The birds must've gifted it to me: have never seen them before...

Posted by: Laura Johnson - Dean Lake, Rockford Township.
on: 2023-07-01 15:48:22

In over 20 years, I have never seen this plant on our shoreline. This year, it's covered the whole thing, even weaving through the cat tails and up trees. Our lake is not well, and I won't use chemicals. It's spreading fast. Weed whip around the trees is the best I can do.

Posted by: Christine Stanton - Dakota County - Southwest edges of Lake Byllesby
on: 2023-07-03 08:26:29

While kayaking yesterday, I was excited to see the lovely white "morning glories" blooming along the wild shorelines of Lake Byllesby. It was not until I got home and read this that I found out they were actually considered noxious.

Posted by: K Chayka
on: 2023-07-03 08:32:16

Laura and Christine, it is quite possible what you each saw was actually the native, Calystegia sepium, hedge bindweed.

Posted by: BN - Gibbon Cemetery / Sibley County
on: 2023-08-24 23:46:46

Nasty things were choking the flowers at a gravestone.

Convolvulus arvensis (Field Bindweed): Minnesota Wildflowers (2024)

FAQs

Why is field bindweed bad? ›

Once established, field bindweed is nearly impossible to fully eradicate. It outcompetes native plants species and can reduce crop yields. It forms an extensive root system, often climbing or forming dense tangled mats.

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Is field bindweed poisonous to humans? ›

Field Bindweed, known scientifically as Convolvulus arvensis, has a reputation for being a nuisance in gardens but poses little threat to human health. Research indicates that while the plant contains alkaloids, it is not inherently toxic to people.

Is Convolvulus arvensis annual or perennial? ›

Convolvulus arvensis is a perennial vine that typically climbs to 1 metre (3.3 ft). The vine produces woody rhizomes from which it resprouts in the spring, or when the aboveground vines are removed.

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Is field bindweed poisonous to dogs? ›

Field Bindweed is toxic to dogs, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. 🚨 Act fast if ingested: Contact a vet or animal poison control. Prevent exposure with yard dog-proofing and plant-snack training.

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Is field bindweed good for anything? ›

“Arvensis” is Latin for “of t field.” Field bindweed grows as a weed in orchards, and in fields of c small grains, sugarbeets, a grapes. years, people have used field bindweed as a medicine. Native Americans have used it to treat spider bites, fevers, and wounds. Europeans have used it as a laxative.

Can you touch bindweed? ›

Fortunately, Hulting says it's not harmful to humans or pets. The stems do contain a milky sap, but the sap won't hurt you if you touch it. However, according to the University of Nevada's Institute of Natural and Agriculture Resources, bindweed “contains alkaloids that are mildly toxic to certain types of livestock.”

Should I pull bindweed? ›

Seedling bindweed (until it's about a month old) is easy to control by pulling it up or cultivating with a hoe. These techniques are also impor- tant for managing older bindweed even though you won't kill the plant once it has developed its root system.

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Should I remove bindweed? ›

Why is bindweed bad? Bindweed spreads quickly underground via a network of white roots and produces long trailing stems that twine around anything they touch, including plant stems. If not controlled, it can choke and smother other plants.

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Does pulling bindweed make it worse? ›

Controlling it

With older plants, the roots and rhizomes spread throughout the planting bed, so removing a single plant or even a few plants, will only give the underground structures the opportunity to produce new growth aboveground.

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What is the importance of convolvulus arvensis? ›

Convolvulus arvensis Linn (CA) is an annual (or sometimes perennial climber), commonly found as a weed throughout Europe and Asia. This plant is being used for many purposes. The root and the resin are cholagogue, diuretic, laxative and purgative [8].

What is the common name for convolvulus arvensis? ›

C. arvensis, commonly known as bindweed, is a climbing herbaceous perennial native to Eurasia.

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What is the life cycle of field bindweed? ›

Growth and Development (Life Cycle):

Seed germination: Seed germinate in the fall and spring. Once the seed coat is weakened, seed will germinate at temperatures of 8° to 30°c. Dormancy: Seeds of field bindweed have a long dormancy and may last in soil for up to 60 years.

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Are bindweed flowers edible? ›

In Spain, in the regions of South Eastern Albacete and South Central Jaen, the flowers are sucked for their honey-like nectar. They are not eaten. In Palencia, the leaves are boiled before being added to salad.

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Does bindweed cause skin irritation? ›

Some individuals might also develop a rash or hives upon skin contact. A clear indicator of a hedge bindweed allergy is the timing and location of these symptoms. They might flare up when you're near fields or gardens where this plant thrives.

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Is field bindweed bad for cats? ›

Toxic alkaloids in Field Bindweed are a serious no-go for cats. These compounds can disrupt a cat's digestive and nervous systems, leading to symptoms that are anything but subtle. While it's not a human hazard, for cats, it's a different story.

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Why do people hate bindweed? ›

This pest is a robust invader that will draw large amounts of nutrients and water from the soil, weakening the plants you have installed. Not only do the stems and foliage inhibit the growth of other plants, bindweed's vigorous root and rhizome system also interfere with desirable plant growth.

Should I pull up bindweed? ›

Persistence and dedication are needed to get rid of bindweed; roots left in the soil after cultivation will regenerate in about two weeks so be prepared to pull plants up every three weeks. Repetitive cultivation throughout the growing season will deplete the root system and provide control.