Convolvulus arvensis
| Convolvulus arvensis | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 6.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 7' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Early Fall |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Convolvulus arvensis (common name: field bindweed)
Propagation: Seed - best sown in situ as soon as it is ripe, it germinates in the autumn[1]. This species can become a real pest in the garden so it is unwise to encourage it.
Cultivation: Prefers a lighter basic soil[2] of low to medium fertility[3].
Bindweed is a very deep-rooting plant with a vigorous root system that extends to a considerable distance and is very hard to eradicate from the soil. Even a small piece of the root will grow into a new plant if it is left in the ground. Once established this plant soon becomes a pernicious weed[4][5]. It is a climbing plant that supports itself by twining around any support it can find and can soon swamp and strangle other plants[5].
The flowers close at night and also during rainy weather[5]. Although visited by numerous insects, the flowers seldom set fertile seed[5]. On sunny days the flowers diffuse a scent of heliotrope[6].
The plant harbours tobacco mosaic virus of the Solanaceae[7] and so should not be grown near potatoes, tomatoes and other members of that family.
Range: Throughout the temperate regions of both Hemishperes, including Britain.
Habitat: Hedgerows, fields, waste places, fences etc[8][9], it can be a troublesome weed of agriculture.
Edibility: The plant has been used as a flavouring in a liqueur called 'Noyeau'[10]. No details are given as to which part of the plant is used[K].
Medicinal: The root, and also a resin made from the root, is cholagogue, diuretic, laxative and strongly purgative[5][7. 9. 13][11]. The dried root contains 4.9% resin[11]. The juice of the root is used in the treatment of fevers[12].
A tea made from the flowers is laxative and is also used in the treatment of fevers and wounds[13].
A cold tea made from the leaves is laxative and is also used as a wash for spider bites or taken internally to reduce excessive menstrual flow[13][14].
Usage: The stem is used as a twine for tying up plants etc[15][16]. It is fairly flexible and strong but not long-lasting.
A green dye is obtained from the whole plant[17].
Pollinators: Bees, flies, self
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ Bird, Alfred. Growing from Seed Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan, 1990.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Europe. Oxford University Press, 1969.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
- ↑ Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ Mabey, Richard. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana, 1979.
- ↑ Turner, Nancy. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum, 1979.
- ↑ Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.