MSU Extension Integrated Pest Management

Convolvulus arvensis L.

Life cycle

Twining, creeping perennial vine.

Leaves

Cotyledons are square to kidney-shaped. Leaves are alternate, arrowhead- to spade-shaped with nearly parallel leaf margins and generally rounded tips. Leaf bases are pointed or rounded.

Field bindweed seedling.

Stems

Climbing, trailing, herbaceous vines up to 6 feet or more in length.

Flowers and fruit

White to pink petals fused into a funnel shape with two leafy, small bracts approximately 1 inch below the flower base. Fruit are egg-shaped capsules containing dull gray, brown or black seeds with one round and two flattened surfaces.

Field bindweed flower.

Reproduction

Seeds, creeping roots and rhizomes.

Similar weeds

Hedge bindweed [Calystegia sepium (L.) R. Br.] Differs by having larger, triangle-shaped leaves with square lobes extending behind and perpendicular to the petiole. Leaf is squarely notched at the petiole. Flower base has two large bracts.

Leaves of hedge bindweed (left) and field bindweed (right).

Hedge bindweed flower base with two large bracts.

Print a page of this page: Field bindweed

Back to identifying nursery weeds.