BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Convolvulus arvensis | Field Bindweed 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
Field bindweed has prostrate to climbing stems that grow from 7 to 80
inches (20-200 cm) long [16,34].  The main root system can penetrate 20
feet (6 m) deep [7,28].  It has extensive and deeply descending
rhizomes.  Leaves are variable in form but are more or less arrow shaped
and 1 to 2 inches (2-6 cm) long [11].  Fruits are egg-shaped capsules
that split open when mature, each yielding two to four dark brown seeds
[16,28,29].


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Geophyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
Field bindweed spreads by seeds and rhizomes.  Seeds may live in the
soil for 30 to 50 years before germinating [7,28,37].  Seeds of field
bindweed are not readily cleaned from crop seeds and are spread through
unclean seed or feed [28].  Additionally, seeds are spread when
livestock move from infested grazing areas to weed-free land [28].  The
hard seed coats must be scarified before germination occurs; seeds
remain viable after passing through animal digestive tracts [18].  While
vernalization at 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 deg C) increased germination
rates, it was not necessary for germination to occur in laboratory
trials [18].  Seeds optimally germinated at 84 degrees Fahrenheit (29
deg C) with 24 hours of darkness; however, the seeds will germinate at
tempertures ranging from freezing (34 degrees Fahrenheit [1 deg C]) to
above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 deg C) [37].  Rhizomes grow rapidly,
creating dense colonies [28].


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
Field bindweed occurs and is competitive in disturbed ground:  waste
places, roadsides, railroad right-of-ways, fields, gardens, and open
river banks [4,11,14,23,26].  Field bindweed often occurs on
well-drained soils and also is found on shallow, less productive soils
[23,28,42].  It occurs on a wide variety of soil textural classes, from
loams to clays [23].  Field bindweed is found from sea level to 7,500
feet (2,286 m) [26,27].

Some associated species found in disturbed riparian areas were mugwort
(Artemisia vulgaris), common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), and bird
vetch (Vicia cracca) [6].  A dominant species found with field bindweed
in degraded, wet meadow margins was medusahead (Taeniatherum asperum)
[42].


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
Obligate Initial Community Species

Field bindweed occurs as a component of ruderal flora in disturbed areas
that are rich in introduced species [23].  Dall'Armellina and Zimdahl
[6] reported that reductions in light intensity resulted in significant
reductions in shoot and root dry matter.  Field bindweed cannot tolerate
shade and uses its viney stems to move into sunlight.  Therefore,
depending upon community physiognomy, it is unlikely that field bindweed
persists in later stages of community succession.


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
Field bindweed flowers from late April to October throughout its range
[4,13,16,29].  Seeds mature within 2 weeks after pollination during hot
summer days; germination occurs in the fall and spring [37].  Foliage
dies with the first heavy frost.  Rhizomes overwinter and readily sprout
in the spring [28].

Related categories for Species: Convolvulus arvensis | Field Bindweed