Hedge Bindweed

Calystegia sepium

Non-listed Invasive Weed

General

Native to Eurasia; commonly referred to as morning glory.
Grows rapidly and twines around other plants, eventually forming dense, tangles that are difficult to remove and interfere with the growth of the smothered plants.
Threatens restoration efforts by out-competing new plantings.
Hedge bindweed is very similar in appearance to field bindweed (Convovulus arvensis) a Class C noxious weed that is also in the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae).
- Hedge bindweed has larger foliage and flowers, with more pronounced arrow shaped leaves, and large leaf bracts that cover the flower’s sepals.
- Field bindweed has smaller foliage and flowers, leaves have a more rounded apex, and pedicles (stalk that supports flower) have two small leaf bracts about 1 inch below the flower.

Identification

Herbaceous perennial, weak-stemmed vine that can grow up to 10 ft. Stems are light green or red, with the leaves occurring sparsely.
Leaves are about 4 to 5 inches long and 2 to 3 inches across. Pronounced arrow shaped leaves with a pointed tip and deeply incised at the base. Upper surface of leaves are green and their lower surface is grey-green. Leaves are attached to stems by long petioles.
Flowers are large trumpet shaped, white to pale pink in color, about 2.5 to 3 inches across. Flowers open during the morning. Flowers bloom indeterminately throughout the summer.
Fruit is an egg-shaped capsule containing 2-4 dark brown to black seeds that are 0.2 inches long.

Photos

Habitat

Grows in a wide range of conditions from full sun to full shade.
Prefers disturbed areas including cropland, pastures, abandoned fields, drainage ditches, and areas along roadsides and railroads.
Found in ravines, greenbelts, forested parks and residential settings; often escapes from compost and yard waste piles, hedgerows, fences and moves into surrounding natural areas.

Reproduction and Spread

Reproduces by seed and vegetatively from roots, rhizomes, and stem fragments.
Seeds are responsible for introduction to new sites, seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to 20 or more years.
Lateral roots and rhizomes are the primary mechanism for spreading on the site, root fragments as small as two inches can generate new shoots.
Primary root is a taproot from which lateral roots develop. Buds on the lateral roots develop into rhizomes. These rhizomes then form new root crowns once they reach the soil surface.
Grows along the ground until it comes into contact with other plants or structures; then climbs aggressively.

Control

Bindweed grows between and over plants making it very difficult to remove bindweed without damaging desirable plants.
Pull out or plow up all the bindweed for 3 to 5 years, roots left in the soil will regenerate in about two weeks. Be prepared to pull bindweed every three weeks, to deplete the root system and provide adequate control.
Pulling, cutting and mowing are ineffective alone. Cutting and pulling morning glory off plants and pilling into rows, and then spraying rows with a translocated herbicide can be effective. Monitor for regrowth.

Chemical Control

Repeated application will be necessary to control bindweed. Its root system can be so immense that not enough herbicide can be absorbed with a single application
Herbicides containing the following active ingredients are effective on hedge bindweed:
- Glyphosate
  - Apply 3 to 4 quarts of product per acre. (1.0% to 2% solution).
  - Apply at full bloom to early seed stage of maturity.
  - Application on fall regrowth may provide some control.
  - If you retreat in the same season, allow plants to grow and produce flowers before each application.
- 2,4-D
  - 4 to 6 pints product per acre. (1.0% to 1.5% solution).
  - Apply postemergence at bud growth stage or in mid-summer to early August, before plants are under moisture stress.
  - Important to apply every year; skipping an application gives bindweed a chance to recover.
- Triclopyr (Garlon 3A)
  - 3 to 4 pints of product per acre. (0.75% to 1.0% solution).
  - Apply postemergence at bud stage or in mid-summer.