Nearly all taxa in Calystegia intergrade geographically into neighboring taxa with the exception of the widespread coastal species, C. soldanella (Linnaeus) R. Brown. It is impossible to draw clearly defined specific limits, and intermediate forms are always found where two taxa approximate geographically[].

Common Name: Hedge Bindweed

General Information

Calystegia sepium is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a wide-spreading, branching rhizomatous rootstock. It produces vigorous stems that can be several metres long - these scramble over the ground, twining into the surrounding vegetation[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, tying material and sometimes as a food.
Hedge bindweed is a troublesome garden weed, especially when growing on moist soils[, ]. The plant is a vigorous climber with annual shoots 3 metres or more long. These twine around other plants and can kill them by smothering them[]. Once established, it is very difficult to eradicate the plant because it has very deep roots and is capable of re-growing from any part of the root left in the ground.

Known Hazards

This species is said to be purgative[], some caution is advised.

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eurasia - widespread through the temperate regions, excluding the far north; temperate N. America; Australia

Habitat

Hedges, fences, edges of woods, waste ground etc[]. Waste places, river banks[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	3.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Lepidoptera
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in ordinary garden soil in a sunny position, but plants are apt to become invasive[, ].
The flowers open in sunny weather and remain closed during dull weather[].

Edible Uses

Stalks and root - cooked[, , , ]. Washed and steamed[]. A pleasant sweet taste[]. Rich in starch and sugars, it is very nutritious[]. It should not be eaten regularly, however, due to its possible purgative effect[].

Young shoots - cooked[, , ]. Some caution is advised since they are possibly purgative[].

Medicinal

The root is demulcent, diuretic, febrifuge, poultice and strongly purgative[, , , ]. Use of the root is believed to increase the flow of bile[].

Other Uses

The stems are very flexible and can be used as an emergency string for tying[]. It is fairly strong but not very long-lasting[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame in a free draining compost and only just cover. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in early spring whilst dormant[].