Hedge Bindweed - Calystegia sepium

A smooth vine that bears funnel-shaped, pinkish flowers with white stripes. The flowers, which have 5 united petals, are about 5-7 cm long with a 5-lobed calyx enclosed in 2 bracts. The leaves are 5-10 cm long and are arrow-shaped.

I spotted lots of bindweed growing along a road that directly bordered the Atlantic Ocean. It is not a native plant.

comments (10)

Flown Kimmerling

Lion

Really pretty! Posted 7 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks, I agree :D. Too bad it's a noxious weed. Posted 7 years ago
2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
    
    Lion
    
    Boo! Did you rip it out? :D Posted 7 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      No, I didn't. It was everywhere, and the land was state land/beach. Can I just rip invasives out wherever I see them? I wonder? Posted 7 years ago

Gary B

Lion

Calystegia sepium ssp. sepium is not native to the US but all the other subspecies/varieties are considered native. It appears that the best way to distinguish the subspecies is to measure the stamens and bracteoles and note the degree of pubescence on the stems and leaves. https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/calystegia/sepium/ Posted 5 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Oh, interesting! Thanks so much for the info, Gary. Posted 5 years ago
2. 1. Gary B
    
    Lion
    
    After reading that at Go Botany I may have to re-consider the identity of a Calystegia sepium I found a few years ago north of where I live. They should be coming into bloom in the next week so I'll be going back with a metric ruler, hand lens, and plant press. Posted 5 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Awesome, I hope you're able to find it. I wish I had looked at the plant in this photo more closely, but I had no idea about the subspecies. Posted 5 years ago
    2. 1. Gary B
        
        Lion
        
        It won't be hard to find luckily. The vines grow by a stream crossed by a paved bike/hiking trail about 15 miles from where I live.
        
        I'd never heard of these subspecies either until I began doing a little online research into Calystegia sepium when I was thinking of posting some photos here. Whatever the outcome I'll post photos and hopefully get the subspecies right. MN-DNR doesn't seem to differentiate subspecies or maybe we've just one so its not necessary. Posted 5 years ago
      2. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Whatever the result, it will definitely be interesting! Posted 5 years ago