Sea Bindweed

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Convolvulus sepium var. soldanella
• Latrienda soldanella
• Calystegia soldanella f. albiflora
• Calystegia soldanelloides
• Calystegia asarifolia
• Calystegia reniformis
• Volvulus soldanella
• Calystegia soldanella var. albiflora
• Convolvulus soldanella
• Convolvulus pseudosoldanella

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it follows the order Solanales and is a member of the Convolvulaceae family. Specifically, it is categorized under the genus Calystegia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across various regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, its presence is recorded in Denmark, Great Britain, and Ireland. Moving toward the central part of the continent, it can also be found in Middle Europe. Specifically, this species is located within the territories of Belgium and Germany. Consequently, its habitat spans both northern and middle European landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Calystegia soldanella is characterized by its specialization in coastal environments, where it thrives within habitats such as dunes, sand, and shores. This species is adapted to low-lying coastal zones, maintaining an elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

dunes, sand, shores

Life history

The life history of Calystegia soldanella is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions primarily as a cryptophyte, specifically utilizing a geophyte life form where the essential regenerative organs are protected underground. This survival strategy is complemented by its deciduous nature, as the plant sheds its foliage according to seasonal shifts.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Calystegia soldanella is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form, specifically classified as a forb. As a terrestrial plant, it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. The plant exhibits a prostrate shoot orientation, characterized by a self-supporting climbing habit that does not require external structures for support. In terms of dimensions, the plant height is variable, ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 2.5 m, with an average height of approximately 0.2 m. Additionally, the individual shoots can reach a maximum length of up to 50 cm.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.2 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Shoot length max:

50 cm

Shoot orientation :

prostrate

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Calystegia soldanella is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, functioning without the capacity for nitrogen fixation. The plant exhibits significant morphological adaptations for water management, specifically through its succulent nature. Its foliage is defined by a reniform (kidney-shaped) form, with leaves that vary in size and dimension; the leaf length typically averages 2.45 cm (ranging from a minimum of 0.9 cm to a maximum of 4 cm), while the leaf width averages 2.625 cm, with a minimum of 1 cm and a maximum of 6 cm. The mean leaf size is approximately 7.345 cm², and the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 158.95 cm²/g, reflecting its structural leaf density and resource allocation strategies.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

reniform

Leaf length max:

4 cm

Leaf length mean:

2.45 cm

Leaf length min:

0.9 cm

Leaf size mean:

7.345 cm²

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width mean:

2.625 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

158.95 cm²/g

Succulence :

yes

Reproduction

The reproduction of Calystegia soldanella is driven by sexual processes, as asexual reproduction is absent. The flowering period typically begins in May and concludes in August, featuring pink flowers that exhibit a width ranging from 4 to 4.5 cm and a length between 4 and 4.5 cm. These flowers utilize a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically attracting insects such as bees. Following successful pollination, the plant develops a capsule-type fruit that maintains a consistent length of approximately 1.6 cm. This fruit is characterized as dehiscent, eventually releasing seeds with a mean mass of approximately 0.0568 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.05432 g to a maximum of 0.059338 g). The dispersal of these seeds is facilitated by a hydrochorous syndrome, meaning they are dispersed via water.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flower colour :

pink

Flower length max:

4.5 cm

Flower length min:

4 cm

Flower width max:

4.5 cm

Flower width min:

4 cm

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

1.6 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.059338 g

Seed mass mean:

0.056819333 g

Seed mass min:

0.05432 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Calystegia soldanella 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 stem.

Stem

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Calystegia soldanella has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROGENIC ACID, Dicaffeoylquinic acid, Isoquercitrin, cis-4-Hydroxycinnamic acid, quercitrin.

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Dicaffeoylquinic acid

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Isoquercitrin

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

cis-4-Hydroxycinnamic acid

1. Fitoterapia

quercitrin

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

trans-3,4-Dihydroxycinnamic Acid

1. Fitoterapia

trans-4-Hydroxycinnamic acid

1. Fitoterapia

Medicinal Uses

Calystegia soldanella has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include dropsy, hepatocellular carcinoma, rheumatic arthritis, scurvy, sore throat.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations