Author
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Tipping, Philip |
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Submitted to: Biological Control of Weeds in the United States
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 5/10/2004 Publication Date: 11/1/2004 Citation: Tipping, P.W. 2004. hedge bindweed, calystegia sepium. Biological Control of Weeds in the United States. Interpretive Summary: Hedge bindweed is a climbing vine that is native to the eastern United States but is now reported in all 49 contiguous states. This plant is a weed in landscapes, nurseries, and row crops where it competes effectively for nutrients, water, and space. It is frequently mistaken for morningglory or field bindweed. Reproduction in this weed is accomplished by seed production, spreading underground rhizomes, and arial shoots which penetrate the soil and establish new plants. This species is resistant to herbicides and, to date, no effective biological control organisms have been found, although many native herbivores do inflict significant damage. Technical Abstract: Hedge bindweed, Calystegia sepium, is a rhizomatous perennial with climbing stems, triangular leaves, and white morningglory-like flowers. The stems climb or trail, grow up to 2.8 m long, and often wrap around other stems of the same plant. Leaves are heart-shaped with angular basal lobes and are 5 to 10 cm long. The flowers are present from July through August with five white or pink sepals fused into a funnel-shaped tube. Two large leafy bracts lie at the base of the flowers, a characteristic that helps distinguish this species from field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). This species thrives in moist, nutrient-rich soils and is commonly found in natural areas, ornamental landscapes, row crops, and nurseries. Biological control agents like Tyta luctuosa (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Aceria malherbe (Acari: Eriophyidae) have been ineffective against this species. |
