Convolvulus arvensis - Field Bindweed

Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Equisetopsida - Order: Solanales - Family: Convolvulaceae

Field bindweed has smaller flowers than Hedge Bindweed, and they are generally pink, but occasionally they are white.

This, and other bindweeds, are much-hated by gardners because once they become established in flowerbeds they are virtually impossible to eradicate as even a tiny piece of broken root will soon grow and the plants return with a vengeance.

All of the bindweeds are anti-clockwise twining climbers.

Distribution

Field Bindweed, a native perennial plant of Europe and Asia and an introduced pernicious weed in North America, is common and widespread throughout Britain except in the far north. The plants shown on this page were photographed in West Wales and in northern France.

Above: Field Bindweed climbing up wheat stems on the edge of a French field

Habitat

As its common name implies, this is a species often seen on field boundaries, but it also occurs on scrubby wasteland and, given half a chance, in parks and gardens. Naturally a creeping or trailing plant, Field Bindweed climbs up other supporting plants and can occasionally reach a height of two metres.

Flowering Times

In northern Europe, June to Septmber are the months when Field Bindweed usually blooms.