What is bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)?
Bindweed, scientifically known as convolvulus arvensis, is a herbaceous perennial plant widely recognized for its ability to climb and densely cover surfaces with flexible stems and varied leaves. In addition to its ornamental use in some gardens, it is considered one of the most persistent and invasive weeds in agriculture, capable of significantly reducing crop yields and effectively competing for available soil resources.
It is commonly known by different names depending on the region: lesser bellflower, carihuela, field vine, chicken tongue or trompillo, among others, and belongs to the Convolvulaceae family.
Native to Eurasia and North Africa, it has adapted to diverse climatic conditions, spreading to temperate and warm zones throughout most of the world. Its strong root system, capable of growing more than 3 meters deep and spreading laterally, gives it extraordinary invasive and regenerative potential.
It stands out for its impressive flowering, with white or pink trumpet-shaped flowers, 1 to 2,5 cm in diameter, which brighten up fields, roadsides, orchards and even unproductive urban soils.
Key botanical characteristics of convolvulus arvensis
- Stems: Long, flexible, and twiggy, they are covered in fine hairs. They can creep or climb, reaching up to 2-3 meters in length, and they wrap around other plants or structures in a counterclockwise direction.
- Root system: Very deep (3 meters or more) and laterally extensive, with abundant rhizomes. Root fragments can give rise to new plants, making eradication difficult.
- Sheets: Simple, greyish-green, alternate, of variable shapes (triangular, lanceolate or “arrowhead”), 2-5 cm long and 1,5-3,5 cm wide.
- Flowers: Hermaphrodites, solitary or in axillary clusters, with a bell-shaped corolla, white or pink. They have five stamens and a divided style.
- Fruit: The capsule is rounded, glabrous, and has valves, containing two to four oval, brown seeds. These seeds can remain viable in the soil for more than 2 years.
Bindweed is extremely hardy, capable of rapidly re-sprouting after mowing or surface cutting, which increases its invasive potential. Its seeds germinate in wide temperature ranges, from near freezing to 40°C, with seedlings emerging in less than two weeks under favorable conditions.
Habitat and distribution of the bindweed
Native to regions of Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa, the bindweed has naturalized in numerous countries in temperate, subtropical, and dry zones, as well as in humid and cool environments. Its great adaptability allows it to colonize roadsides, cultivated fields, fallow land, canals, riverbanks, gardens, and balconies.
It occurs in both rural and urban environmentsIt tolerates sandy loam, calcareous, or slightly stony soils and is not nutrient-demanding, although it prefers well-drained, organic-rich soils. It is very commonly found in:
- Orchards and agricultural fields of cereals, vegetables, fruit trees and vineyards
- Roadsides and fallow areas
- Private gardens, urban lots and abandoned spaces
Thanks to its efficient reproductive system, it can become one of the most difficult weeds to eradicate, competing with crops and reducing production by up to 50% in severe cases.
reproduction and life cycle
Bindweed reproduces both sexually and vegetatively.:
- Via seeds: Each plant produces numerous resistant seeds, which can germinate many years after being dispersed.
- By rhizomes and stolons: Root or stem fragments are capable of giving rise to new plants, a mechanism that allows for rapid expansion and makes mechanical or manual management difficult.
Germination typically occurs in late winter or early spring, although it can be adapted to other times depending on soil temperature and moisture. The growth cycle is rapid, allowing seedlings to climb onto crops or structures within a few weeks.
Spread and invasive potential
The ease of its propagation and high survival rate making it one of the most invasive species in agriculture and gardening. It can establish itself from seeds, rhizome or stolon remains, root fragments transported by agricultural machinery, and through soil movement.
Tillage and weed-clearing equipment can inadvertently increase the plant's presence if root system fragments are not completely removed.
Caring for bindweed as an ornamental plant
Despite its reputation as a weed, Bindweed can also be grown as an ornamental plant to cover fences, walls, pergolas or to entangle on balconies and terraces, taking advantage of the beauty of its flowering.
- Solar exposition: Prefer full sunlight Although it can tolerate some shade, its flowering will be more abundant the more sun it receives.
- Substratum: It is tolerant of different types of soil, but grows best in well-drained, loose soils rich in organic matter.
- Irrigation: It requires little water. Moderate watering is sufficient, allowing the soil to dry between waterings. In summer, it may need two to three waterings per week, and during winter, one or two waterings per month.
- Pruning: It is highly recommended for control growth and prevent it from becoming invasive. Dry, diseased, or weak stems should be removed, and young stems should be pinched to promote more compact foliage.
- Frost protection: It tolerates temperatures down to -7 ºC, although it thrives in temperate and warm climates.
- Subscriber: It doesn't require frequent fertilization except in poor soils. An annual application of organic compost promotes its growth.
- Disease prevention: It is resistant, but sensitive to powdery mildew fungusAvoid wetting the leaves when watering to reduce the risk of infection and prune affected parts.
The best time to plant bindweed is after the risk of frost has passed, allowing it to take root and grow actively with the arrival of warm weather.
Problems and control of convolvulus arvensis like weeds
Although decorative in appearance, bindweed poses a serious agricultural and gardening challenge when it proliferates unchecked. Competes aggressively for water, nutrients and light, impeding the growth of crops and ornamental plants. It also causes snares, hampers mechanical harvesting, and can harbor pests or diseases.
Impact of bindweed on crops
- It reduces the yield of vegetables, cereals, vineyards, fruit trees, olive trees and other agricultural crops.
- Its deep roots drain water and nutrient reserves at the expense of surrounding vegetation.
- In severe infestations, it can reduce productivity by up to 50%, especially in tomatoes, vineyards, and cereals.
- It serves as a host for parasites of other crops, such as Cuscuta campestris.
Methods of controlling bindweed
Given its regenerative capacity, No single method is completely effective in the short termControl must be integrated, prolonged, and patient, combining cultural, mechanical, chemical, and, in some cases, biological actions.
- Cultivation and prevention: Maintaining densely planted soils and healthy crops makes it difficult for it to establish. Crop rotation, timely sowing, and increasing plant density reduce the occurrence of bindweed.
- Machinery cleaning: It is vital to clean tillage equipment to prevent the spread of rhizomes and seeds.
- Manual start and weeding: Useful for small infestations or in gardens, always removing as much root as possible to prevent regrowth.
- Frequent pruning: Repeated pruning weakens root reserves. Very young seedlings are more vulnerable to uprooting.
Chemical control
- Systemic herbicides: These are the most effective, as they are absorbed through the leaves and reach underground organs. Recommended products include glyphosate, 2,4-D amine, MCPA, dicamba, or selective mixtures. They should be applied with caution to avoid damaging adjacent crops.
- Repeated applications: Bindweed is resistant to surface treatments and requires repeated applications to deplete its reserves. It is usually most effective to apply after harvest or when the foliage is well developed.
- Pre-emergent herbicides: Generally not very effective against bindweed due to its ability to regrow from rhizomes and deep roots.
- Legal limitations: Many products have restrictions for use in gardens, home gardens, and sensitive areas. It's essential to read labels and consult regulations.
Biologic control
- Trials have been conducted with specific predatory insects and parasites, such as certain species of beetles and mites, showing promising results in the laboratory, but without yet established applications in the open field.
The key to control convolvulus arvensis It lies in perseverance and integrated management, alternating physical, cultural and chemical techniques according to the severity of the problem and the environment.
Traditional uses and phytotherapy
Although its main fame is as a weed, Bindweed has been used in traditional herbal medicine for its bioactive properties:
- Root: Used as a purgative and laxative, thanks to the presence of resins and alkaloids.
- Flowers and leaves: They have been used in infusion as a mild remedy for constipation, in external applications for wounds and to relieve fever.
- Other attributed effects: Cholagogue, diuretic, circulatory stimulant and useful for reducing blood pressure (although continued or excessive use can be toxic or irritating to the digestive system).
Chemical compounds present in bindweed, such as the glycoside convolvulin, flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin), phenolic acids, and alkaloids, have shown antioxidant, immunostimulant, and antitumor potential in preliminary studies. However, Internal consumption should be done with extreme caution and always under medical supervision, since high doses can cause irritation or severe adverse effects.
The most common forms of administration are:
- Infusion: 6-12 grams of crushed fresh leaves, infused in boiling water and taken before bedtime.
- Cooking: Leaves and roots boiled briefly, strained and consumed as a purgative on an empty stomach (not recommended as a regular treatment without a medical prescription).
Synonymy, taxonomy and variants of convolvulus arvensis
- Taxonomy: The bindweed belongs to the family convolvulaceae, gender Convolvulus, species arvensis.
- Etymology: The term Convolvulus It comes from the Latin convolvere (tangle), and arvensis de Arva (farm field), alluding to its frequent presence in crops and its climbing habit.
- Varieties: There are forms with wide leaves (there is. arvensis) and others with linear and narrow leaves (var. linearifolius).
- Synonymy: Includes names like Convolvulus ambigens, Strophocaulos arvensis, among others.
Other vernacular and popular names
The wealth of common names demonstrates the ancient presence of the bindweed in different cultures and its adaptability to diverse landscapes. Some common ones include: campanilla, campanilla, campanilla sylvestris ...
Tips for sustainable management of bindweed in agriculture and gardening
To effectively and respectfully combat the spread of bindweed, It is essential to adopt a long-term, comprehensive approachHere are the most important recommendations:
- Sowing and rotation: Rotating crops and diversifying species helps reduce the impact of bindweed and hinders its life cycle.
- Land preparation and sanitation: Deep tilling and plowing can help expose seeds and rhizomes to solar dehydration, but should be done while avoiding spreading live root fragments.
- Use of mulching: Covering the surface with organic materials or plastic limits light to emerging seedlings and reduces germination.
- Avoid overuse of herbicides: Limit use to strategic times and areas. Remember that systemic herbicides should only be used after a prior environmental risk analysis and in accordance with applicable legislation.
- Constant supervision: Monitoring early shoots, especially in spring, allows you to remove or weaken the plant before it flowers and disperses seeds.
Bindweed can be an excellent ornamental ally if kept under control., but in agriculture and parks it requires sustained effort and ecological management to minimize its harmful effects and protect the biodiversity of the ecosystems it colonizes.
convolvulus arvensis It is a fascinating species for its resilience and adaptability, appreciated for its beautiful flowering and tenacity in nature. Its invasive potential requires anyone interested in cultivating or combating it to understand its specific characteristics and combine short- and long-term strategies for efficient and environmentally friendly management. Whether you see it as a decorative plant or an adversary in the field, understanding its biology and control methods is essential to maintaining the balance and health of your crops, gardens, or natural spaces.
