Field Bindweed

Field bindweed is a persistent, perennial noxious weed that has an extensive root system and long-lived seeds. It has a twining growth habit that can interfere with harvesting in crop fields and it is difficult to control in turfgrass and natural areas.

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FIELD BINDWEED IS NATIVE TO EURASIA AND WAS

first identified in North America as early as 1739. It was likely introduced as a contaminant in crop seed. It has been reported in every state in the United States and is on 22 state noxious weed lists. Field bindweed is a priority 2B noxious weed in Montana, meaning it is an abundant and widespread weed. It has been reported in every county in Montana.

Species name: Convolvulus arvensis L.

Family: Convolvulaceae

Identification:

Field bindweed is also known by the common names of creeping jenny, European bindweed, and perennial morning glory. Trumpet- or funnel-shaped flowers are about one inch wide and are white with a sometimes pinkish tint (Figure 1). Dark green, hairless leaves are up to two inches long and up to one inch wide, arrowhead-shaped, and have a rounded to pointed tip (Figure 2). Stems are one to four feet long, and they may climb or grow horizontally along the ground in mats (Figure 3). Small round fruits contain four brown seeds. Roots are rhizomatous.

Not to be confused with:

In garden settings, annual morning glories (Ipomoea spp.) may be confused with field bindweed. Annual morning glories typically have larger, heart-shaped leaves (two or more inches wide) and can flower in more colors than just white or pink. Black bindweed (Fallopia convolvulus L.) is a non-native annual species that grows in disturbed areas. It also has arrowhead-shaped leaves and a twining growth pattern, but unlike field bindweed it has a weak root system, small inconspicuous flowers less than a ¼-inch wide, and three-sided fruits. Hedge false bindweed (Calystegia sepium [L.] R. Br.) is a perennial rhizomatous plant that also has trumpet-shaped flowers and arrowhead- shaped leaves. Leaves of this species may be larger and have a longer-pointed tip than field bindweed. Flowers are always white and usually larger, up to 2½ inches in diameter.

Habitat:

Field bindweed can be found in a variety of climates and soils. It grows across a wide range of settings but is most common in agricultural fields, pastures and hay fields, gardens, lawns, roadsides, and other disturbed areas. Field bindweed can also be invasive in natural areas where there is repeated disturbance and little competition from other vegetation.

Spread:

Field bindweed can spread from both seed and its extensive creeping root system. Horizontal, lateral roots can spread to 10 feet in diameter and are capable of producing new plants. Reproductive buds found on the roots and underground stems can produce new plants when they are cut and spread by tillage equipment. Seeds are dispersed locally as well as more distantly with harvesting equipment and as a contaminant in crop seed. Field bindweed seeds are long-lived (e.g., 20 or more years).

Impacts:

Field bindweed has a twining growth habit and can form dense tangled mats which interfere with harvesting. While field bindweed is most problematic in agricultural fields, it is a weed in turfgrass and a concern in perennial pastures. Alkaloids, such as those found in field bindweed, are mildly toxic to certain types of livestock (e.g., pigs and horses) and can cause digestive disturbances. It is important to control field bindweed in range and pasture to keep it from spreading into croplands where it can significantly reduce crop yields through competition and interference with harvesting equipment.

FIGURE 1. Trumpet-shaped flowers are white to pink and leaves are shaped like arrowheads. Photo by Matt Lavin, MSU.

FIGURE 2. Arrowhead-shaped leaves can have a pointed or rounded tip. Photo by Matt Lavin, MSU.

FIGURE 3. One to four-foot long stems may grow horizontally along the ground and can form dense mats, such as in this lawn setting. Photo by Stacy Davis, MSU.

Management in rangelands and pastures:

Field bindweed is difficult to control due to its long-lived seeds and extensive root systems that can resprout after most management actions. The key to managing field bindweed is depleting root reserves and reducing its resprouting ability, which takes time and persistence. Eradication of established patches is difficult, but field bindweed can be suppressed using a combination of strategies such as cultural, mechanical, and chemical control. It is important to maintain a healthy pasture, roadside, or rangeland perennial plant community that can compete with field bindweed. This can be accomplished with proper grazing management (e.g., no overgrazing) or planting competitive species or cultivars if there are large areas of bare ground.

Mechanical control methods need to be repeated every couple of weeks during the growing season for several years to effectively remove field bindweed shoots and roots. Mowing is not considered effective as field bindweed is a low-growing plant. Pulling, burning, and mechanical cultivation may be used but should be repeated often or integrated with another management approach such as herbicides in order to reduce field bindweed.

There are two approved biological control agents for field bindweed: Aceria malherbae and Tyta luctuosa. Both species were released in the late 1980s in the United States and Canada, but establishment has been poor, especially for T. luctuosa. The larval stage of T. luctuosa, a type of owlet moth, causes damage to the stems and leaves through defoliation. A. malherbae is a species of gall mite that causes stunted growth and reduces flowering of field bindweed.

Chemical control of field bindweed is most effective using a systemic herbicide that moves into the root system to kill roots and root buds. Herbicides can be applied in spring or summer and it is usually recommended to spray when field bindweed is in the bud to full bloom stage. Another option is to treat fall regrowth before the plants are harmed by hard frost or any adverse growing conditions. Herbicides labeled for field bindweed control according to the Pacific Northwest Handbook include 2,4-D, aminocyclopyrachlor + chlorsulfuron (Perspective™), dicamba (Banvel®), glyphosate (Roundup®), imazapic (Plateau®), metsulfuron (Escort®), picloram (Tordon®), and quinclorac (Paramount®). Refer to herbicide labels for complete information and recommendations.

As with most perennial species, persistence is key to managing field bindweed. One action alone may not be successful – consider integrating two or more management strategies to control the infestation. Repeated management for several years is necessary to successfully reduce field bindweed in range and pastures.

Additional resources

http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7462.html

https://learningstore.uwex.edu/Assets/pdfs/A3924-19.pdf

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Dr. Jane Mangold (Montana State University), Jessica Bushnell (Broadwater County Weed District), and Shylea Wingard (Hill County MSU Extension) for providing reviews.

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