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Date Published: January 20, 2003
Field bindweed forms dense mats with its long, thin
stems. The stems will also wind around and climb over
other plants, always going in a counter clockwise
direction. The leaves are arrow-shaped and light green
when young, becoming more blue green with age. The
undersurface of the leaves has prominent veins. The
base of each leaf is split into two lobes, which may
be either pointed or rounded. At the seedling stage,
field bindweed resembles wild buckwheat, but does
not have a papery sheath at the base of the leaf stem
as is found with species in the buckwheat family.
The flowers of field bindweed are small, white or
pale pink, and trumpet shaped (25 mm across). Throughout
the flowering season, late June until frost, the flowers
occur singly, or sometimes in groups of 2 or 4. The
flowers are quite similar to those of cultivated morning
glory, although much smaller. Seed pods are egg shaped
(3 mm across) and contain 1 to 4 seeds.
The roots of field bindweed are white, fleshy, and
cord-like. It has a thick, deep taproot and shallow
spreading rhizomes.
Habitat
Field bindweed prefers cultivated land, including
grain fields, pastures, orchards, and meadows. It
can also be found along roadsides and in waste places.
This weed grows well in dry to moderately moist soil
and is able to survive long periods of water stress.
Bindweed prefers to climb up and around other plants,
but will form dense mats of stems on the ground if
there is nothing available for it to climb.
Field bindweed is uncommon in Nova Scotia, with a
few occurrences around Truro and in the western portion
of the province. It may also be found on rare occasions
in Cape Breton.
* * *
Field bindweed originated in Europe and is sometimes
known as European bindweed. It is also called small
flowered morning glory, cornbine, lesser bindweed,
barbine, creeping jenny, and devil's guts.
* * *
Life Cycle
Field bindweed is a perennial which spreads via seeds
and rootstock. The seeds are very resistant to damage
and remain viable through the digestive tracts of
birds who commonly eat and disperse them. Seed also
moves with feed and seed supplies or clings to the
mud on farm vehicles. The seed can move easily by
water, and seed buried in the soil may be viable for
up to 20 years.
Spread also occurs by the perennial rootstocks of
the plant, which produce root and shoot buds. This
makes it difficult to control because the roots can
be very deep and extensive, and produce many new plants.
Effects
Field bindweed is a very detrimental weed in agricultural
situations. It spreads rapidly by its underground
rootstocks, quickly covering large areas in pastures
or fields, out competing forages. It will seriously
reduce crop yields by reducing soil moisture available
to other plants. Furthermore, field bindweed often
climbs other plants, eventually pulling them down
and smothering them completely. It may also become
tangled in harvesting equipment.
Control
Field bindweed normally grows low to the ground,
which gives it a disadvantage in competing effectively
for sunlight in established crops. Closed stands of
alfalfa may be the best competitor for this weed.
Constant tillage will deprive the plant of underground
food reserves, gradually decreasing the root quality,
and eventually controlling the weed effectively. The
best control can be achieved by combining rotation
of competitive crops, cultivation, and herbicides.
Recommended herbicides are 2,4-D, glyphosate, or
dicamba. Several applications will be required beginning
in early June when the plant is flowering, repeating
each time new growth appears. For application rates
or further information, contact your weed inspector
or consult the most recent Guide to Weed Control (Publication
75).
pibw96-14
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