Calystegia sepium

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, known as Calystegia sepium, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern regions of the European continent. Its presence can be documented within the coastal and inland landscapes of Denmark. Furthermore, it is found growing in the natural habitats of Finland. The species also extends its range to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its geographical reach includes the rugged terrains of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Calystegia sepium is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental settings, ranging from disturbed anthropocentric landscapes to natural aquatic and woodland fringes. It frequently establishes itself in various habitats, including crop fields, forests, irrigation channels, lakes, old fields, rivers, roadsides, shores, and shrubberies. This wide ecological breadth is supported by a broad elevational distribution, which spans from sea level up to a maximum of 2080 m AMSL, maintaining a mean elevation of approximately 1105 m AMSL. Such a vast range suggests the species is capable of thriving across multiple altitudinal zones and varied moisture regimes.

Elevational range max:

2080 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1105 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, forest, irrigation channals, lakes, old fields, rivers, roadsides, shores, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Calystegia sepium is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons. It functions as a hemicryptophyte, maintaining its perenn Perennating buds at the soil surface, which aids in its ability to re-emerge annually. As a deciduous species, it sheds its foliage during unfavorable seasons, entering a period of dormancy before resuming growth. Its growth habit and structural classification align with the phanerophyte life form, reflecting its capacity for significant vegetative expansion and climbing behavior.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Calystege sepium is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, specifically functioning as an obligatory climbing vine. As an independent organism that does not act as a parasite or an epiphyte, it maintains a terrestrial habit. The plant exhibits significant variability in stature, with a minimum height of 1 meter, a mean height of approximately 1.05 meters, and the capacity to reach a maximum height of up to 4 meters as it climbs.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

1.05 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Calystegia sepium is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a standard carbon fixation process typical of many temperate species. The plant is non-carnivorous and does not possess the capability to act as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil-available nutrients. Its leaf morphology shows significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 14 cm, maintaining a mean length of 7 cm. The leaf width also fluctuates, spanning from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 8 cm, with a mean width of 7 cm. These dimensions result in a mean leaf size of 32.08 cm². Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 373.94 cm²/g, reflecting the relationship between its leaf surface area and its dry mass density.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

14 cm

Leaf length mean:

7 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf size mean:

32.08 cm²

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width mean:

7 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

373.94 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Calystegia sepium is characterized by a sexual process through bisexual flowers, with asexual reproduction being absent. The flowering period typically commences in June and concludes in August. Pollination is a biotic process driven by insects, specifically involving bees. The plant does not exhibit self-fertilization, relying instead on these pollinators for successful fertilization. Following pollination, the plant produces fruit in the form of a dehiscence-type capsule. These capsules are relatively small, with a mean fruit length of 1.1 cm, ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 1 cm. Each fruit is highly productive, containing a seed count ranging from 101 to 1000 seeds. The individual seeds are lightweight, with a mean mass of approximately 0.0279620625 g, a minimum mass of 0.021055 g, and a maximum mass of 0.0304 g. Dispersal of the seeds follows an unspecialized syndrome, though it also exhibits anthropochorous characteristics, suggesting movement via human activity.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.1 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.0304 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0279620625 g

Seed mass min:

0.021055 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Calystegia sepium has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Molecular biology reports

Preparations

Calystegia sepium has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves extracts.

Leaves extracts

1. Molecular biology reports