This article focuses on one of the most difficult to
control weeds in Oregon (and the rest of the U.S.). Field bindweed's
arvensis) aggressive vine habit makes it imperative to control, while
its deep root system makes it extremely difficult to control. Its
is derived from the Latin word convolvo which means "to twine", and arvense which
means "of the field" (Clark, 1998).
Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) is a deep-rooted perennial
in the Morningglory family (Convolvulaceae). It spreads by seed and a
deep, extensive root system. Reports indicate that seed can persist
in soil for up to 60 years, and that roots can grow up to 30 feet deep
(Appleby, 1999). It is obvious why this plant is such a problem.
Field bindweed grows prostrate along the ground until it comes in contact with
other plants or structures. It grows up and over anything in its path. Much
like pole beans, stems rotate in a circular patter until it makes contact with
a solid structure (fence posts, other plants, etc.), then it wraps around the
structure as it grows.
Foliage is arranged oppositely along the stem and is arrow shaped. Most
of the field bindweed I see looks consistently the same, although some
references describe it as variable. When juvenile stems are broken,
they exude a milky sap.
Flowers are trumpet shaped, pink to white in color, with 5 fused petals. Field
bindweed has two leaf bracts that grow from ½ to 1 inch below
the flower, and is a key identification characteristic. Flowering is indeterminate, so flowers will continue to
develop along growing stems until first frost.
Field bindweed control
Because of its prostrate growth habit, field bindweed is generally unaffected
by mowing. Cultivation works with persistence and dedication. Once
cultivated, the plant will regenerate its shoot system in about 3 weeks. Thus
cultivation should occur every 3 weeks (Ross and Lembi, 1999). Repetitive
cultivation throughout the growing season for at least 2 years should
deplete the root system and provide control. Use the deepest cultivation
implements available. This may not be financially practical for many
agricultural production systems.
Herbicides can be used when a nursery crop is in the field as long as weeds
can be sprayed without making herbicidal contact with the crop. Applications
of glyphosate containing herbicides (like Roundup) or 2,4-D are effective (read
herbicide labels to verify they can be applied as directed sprays around nursery
two herbicides are absorbed by foliage and moved throughout the plant to kill
roots and shoots. Repeated applications will be necessary, as the root
system on this plant can be so immense that insufficient herbicide is absorbed
with a single application. Use repeated applications, but allow the plant
to grow and produce flowers before each subsequent application. More
translocated herbicide will be moved to the root system when the plant is flowering
when vegetatively growing.
If using contact herbicides like Finale (glufosinate), Gramoxone (paraquat),
or Scythe (pelargonic acid), reapply immediately after plants re-emerge from
the soil. Do not allow plants to develop flowers. This process,
even when done correctly, will take longer compared to tillage or using translocated
For the safest and most effective control, apply herbicides during the fallow
season when nursery crops are not present. Consider using a grass cover
crop along with 2,4-D, or a Roundup Ready crop with a glyphosate-containing
herbicide. This will control erosion and improve soil structure, while
killing field bindweed.
Hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium), wild buckwheat (Polygonum
convolvulus), and sharppoint fluvellin (Kickxia elatine) are other
vine weeds that could be confused with field bindweed. It's important to
distinguish these weeds from field bindweed because controlling them requires
different strategies. Click here to see more information on these weeds.
- Appleby, A. 1999. Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). http://www.css.orst.edu/newsnotes/9903/weed.html#Field
- Clark, L. 1998. Wild Flowers of the Pacific Northwest. Harbour
Publishing, Madeira Park, BC.
- Ross, M.A. and C.A. Lembi. 1999. Applied
Weed Science. Prentice
Hall Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ.
|Field bindweed is a vine with a spreading and climbing habit.
|Foliage is arranged oppositely along the stem. Although foliage
shape can vary, it can generally be described as having an arrow
|Flowers are white and trumpet-shaped. Petals are fused and often
have streaks of pink.
|A good identification tool for distinguishing this species from
other similar looking vines are the two small leaf bracts that occur
inch below the flower.
|Look alike: wild buckwheat (Polygonum convolvulus).
|Look alike: sharppoint fluvellin (Kickxia
|Look alike: left is flower of field bindweed, right
is the flower of hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium).