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Common Name: Field Bindweed

General Information

Convolvulus arvensis is a Perennial Climber up to 2.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Throughout the temperate regions of both Hemishperes, including Britain.

Habitat

Hedgerows, fields, waste places, fences etc[, ], it can be a troublesome weed of agriculture.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a lighter basic soil[] of low to medium fertility[].
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[, ]. It is a climbing plant that supports itself by twining around any support it can find and can soon swamp and strangle other plants[].
The flowers close at night and also during rainy weather[]. Although visited by numerous insects, the flowers seldom set fertile seed[]. On sunny days the flowers diffuse a scent of heliotrope[].
The plant harbours tobacco mosaic virus of the Solanaceae[] and so should not be grown near potatoes, tomatoes and other members of that family.

Edible Uses

The plant has been used as a flavouring in a liqueur called 'Noyeau'[]. No details are given as to which part of the plant is used[].

Medicinal

The root, and also a resin made from the root, is cholagogue, diuretic, laxative and strongly purgative[, 7. 9. 13, ]. The dried root contains 4.9% resin[]. The juice of the root is used in the treatment of fevers[].
A tea made from the flowers is laxative and is also used in the treatment of fevers and wounds[].
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[, ].

Other Uses

The stem is used as a twine for tying up plants etc[, ]. It is fairly flexible and strong but not long-lasting.
A green dye is obtained from the whole plant[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in situ as soon as it is ripe, it germinates in the autumn[]. This species can become a real pest in the garden so it is unwise to encourage it.