Convolvulus arvensis
What's the taxonomical classification of Convolvulus arvensis?
Convolvulus arvensis belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta. It is categorized under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, placing it within the order Solanales. This plant is a member of the family Convolvulaceae, falling under the genus Convolvulus, and is specifically identified by the species name arvensis.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Solanales |
| Family | Convolvulaceae |
| Genus | Convolvulus |
| Species | arvensis |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Convolvulus arvensis has slender, twining stems that grow up to 30 centimeters long, heart-shaped leaves with pointed tips, and funnel-shaped white flowers featuring a central yellow eye. The leaves are arranged alternately along the stem and possess smooth margins without any lobes. Its flowering structures are typically solitary and emerge from the leaf axils to form a distinct trumpet appearance. Small, rounded seed capsules develop after pollination, containing numerous dark seeds that facilitate its spread. The root system is extensive and consists of deep, creeping rhizomes that allow the plant to persist in various soil conditions.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to Europe and parts of Asia, but it has become widely naturalized across much of the temperate Northern Hemisphere, including North America. It thrives in a variety of environments ranging from cultivated fields to disturbed roadsides and waste areas. Because of its high adaptability, it is frequently found in many different climates across the United States and Canada. The species is also common in many other introduced regions where it can colonize agricultural lands. Its widespread presence is largely due to its ability to tolerate diverse soil types and varying moisture levels.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant, commonly known as field bindweed, is a persistent perennial weed that is cultivated primarily for its ability to spread rapidly through deep, creeping rhizomes and prolific seed production.
It thrives in disturbed soils and nitrogen-rich environments, often colonizing agricultural fields and garden beds. Controlling this species requires meticulous management because its underground root systems can regenerate from tiny fragments left in the soil. Effective cultivation management often involves repeated mechanical tillage or the strategic application of selective herbicides to prevent it from smothering desirable crops.
Because it can grow several inches a day, early detection is essential to mitigate its invasive potential.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant, Convolvulus arvensis, is utilized medicinally through the application of its leaves and roots. The leaves are often prepared in infusions to serve as a mild sedative or to help soothe digestive upsets. Meanwhile, the roots contain specific alkaloids that have been historically studied for their potential effects on the nervous system. Practitioners sometimes combine these different components to achieve a broader range of therapeutic properties. Careful dosage is essential when using these specific parts due to the potency of the plant's chemical compounds.
According to a study published by "Life (Basel, Switzerland)", the essential oils of Convulvulus arvensis are derived from leaves with a yield of 0.34% of the total mass. These oils are mainly rich in cuprenne (34%), thymol (20%), himachalene (16%), and longifolene (10%). The antioxidant effects were measured with an IC50 (DPPH) of 30 µg/mL, an EC50 (FRAP) of 120 µg/mL, and a total antioxidant power of 508.0 ± 6.0 µg EAA/mg. Antibacterial inhibition zones were recorded at 14.27 ± 0.42 mm and 21.35 ± 0.76 mm, while MICs were 21.35 ± 0.76 mm and 28.62 ± 1.65 µg/mL. Antifungal inhibition zone diameters ranged from 19.44 ± 1.10 to 20.41 ± 1.81 mm, with MICs of 18.65 ± 0.94 and 19.38 ± 0.58 g/mL.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- leaves
- roots
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, known as field bindweed, was historically utilized in various traditional medicinal practices to treat ailments such as skin inflammations, wounds, and digestive issues.
In certain folk traditions, extracts from the roots or leaves were applied topically to soothe external irritations and promote healing. Some ancient herbalists also employed the plant as a diuretic or to address inflammatory conditions within the body. Despite these uses, historical records often warn of its potential toxicity if consumed in improper quantities.
These practices reflect a long-standing human effort to harness the biological properties of common weeds for therapeutic purposes.
What are the pharmacological activities of Convolvulus arvensis?
This plant has antibacterial, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor pharmacological activities derived from its various secondary metabolites. The presence of bioactive compounds like alkaloids and flavonoids contributes significantly to its ability to inhibit the growth of harmful pathogens. These chemical constituents also help neutralize free radicals, which provides essential antioxidant protection for cells. Furthermore, the plant exhibits properties that reduce systemic inflammation and suppress tumor cell proliferation. Such diverse biological actions make it a subject of interest for developing new therapeutic agents.
According to a study published by "Life (Basel, Switzerland)", the essential oils recovered from Convulvulus arvensis yielded 0.34% of the total mass of leaves and were composed mainly of cuprenne (34%), thymol (20%), himachalene (16%), and longifolene (10%). The antioxidant effects of Convulvulus arvensis included an IC50 (DPPH) of 30 µg/mL, an EC50 (FRAP) of 120 µg/mL, and a total antioxidant power of 508.0 ± 6.0 µg EAA/mg. Antibacterial activity was demonstrated with inhibition zones against K. pneumoniae and S. aureus of 14.27 ± 0.42 mm and 21.35 ± 0.76 mm, respectively, while MICs were 21.35 ± 0.76 mm and 28.62 ± 1.65 µg/mL. For antifungal activity, the inhibition zone diameters against all fungal species ranged from 19.44 ± 1.10 to 20.41 ± 1.81 mm. Additionally, the MICs of Convulvulus arvensis against F. oxysporum and C. albicans were 18.65 ± 0.94 and 19.38 ± 0.58 g/mL, respectively.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-bacterial
- antimicrobial
- antioxidant
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-tumor
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains medicinal compounds including ascorbic acid, calystegeines, cuprennne, himachalene, and longifolene. These specific chemical constituents contribute to the diverse biological profile of the species. The presence of ascorbic acid provides essential antioxidant properties within the plant's chemical structure. Furthermore, the sesquiterpenes himachalene and longifolene, along with cuprennne, are significant for their complex organic roles. The alkaloids known as calystegeines also represent a unique component of its pharmacological makeup.
According to a study published by "Food science & nutrition", the plant Convolvulus arvensis contains phytochemical compounds that were analyzed using GC-MS analysis and FTIR spectroscopy. The study evaluated the antioxidant activity of Convolvulus arvensis extract using DPPH scavenging assays. Findings showed that ascorbic acid significantly improved the DPPH scavenging activity of the Convolvulus arvensis extract compared to other plants. This extract was effective in inhibiting biofilm formation by P. aeruginosa. Convolvulus arvensis requires slightly higher concentrations to effectively inhibit bacterial growth and to exert bactericidal effects.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- ascorbic acid
- calystegines
- cuprenne
- himachalene
- longifolene
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating atopic dermatitis, inflammation, inflammatory skin disease, infections, and infectious diseases. Its medicinal properties are primarily applied to soothe irritated skin surfaces and reduce redness. The plant helps mitigate the symptoms associated with various inflammatory skin disease presentations. It also acts as a natural agent to combat localized infections. Furthermore, its components are utilized in traditional remedies to address more systemic infectious diseases.
According to a study published by "Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine", field dodder, known as Convolvulus arvensis, is used in traditional Persian medicine to treat diseases similar to resistant atopic dermatitis. This chronic, pruritic, and inflammatory skin disease can have a profound, negative effect on patients' quality of life. In traditional approaches, the decoction of field dodder is used in combination with whey to treat these conditions. Field dodder is noted for having anti-inflammatory properties that may assist in treating the condition. This combination is hypothesized as a complementary treatment for atopic dermatitis.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- Atopic dermatitis
- inflammation
- inflammatory skin disease
- infections
- infectious diseases
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create medicinal herbal preparations including an 85% MeOH extract, a butanol soluble fraction, and essential oils. Researchers utilize these specific preparations to isolate and study various bioactive phytochemical compounds found within the species. The 85% MeOH extract serves as a broad method for recovering a wide range of polar and semi-polar constituents. By further processing this extract, the butanol soluble fraction allows for the concentration of specific moderately polar molecules. Additionally, the extraction of essential oils provides access to the volatile aromatic components of the plant.
According to a study published by "Chemistry & biodiversity", the methanolic extract of Convolvulus arvensis L. was divided into hexane (CA-H), chloroform (CA-C), ethyl acetate (CA-E) and butanol (CA-B) soluble fractions. The CA-H and CA-C fractions were rich in phenolics at 30.73±0.63 and 20.15±0.59 mg GAE/g of the extract, respectively. These fractions showed antioxidant activities in DPPH as 5.23±0.11 and 12.34±0.17 mg TE/g extract, and in ABTS as 36.82±0.04 and 56.74±0.61 mg TE/g extract. CA-H exhibited a metal chelating activity of 22.74±0.001 mg EDTAE/g extract, while CA-C showed a total antioxidant capacity of 1.23±0.033 mmol TE/g extract. For enzyme inhibition, CA-H and CA-E showed AChE inhibition of 8.24±0.77 and 4.46±0.007 mg GALAE/g extract, and CA-B was most active against tyrosinase at 37.35±0.53 mg KAE/g extract. UHPLC/MS analysis of the methanolic extract disclosed the presence of 62 compounds including sterols, triterpene, flavonoids, fatty acids, alkaloids and coumarins.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- 85% MeOH extract
- butanol soluble fraction
- essenstial oils
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause physiological changes in animals such as the relaxation of rabbit's duodenum smooth muscle. These effects are primarily attributed to the presence of specific alkaloids found within its tissues. While research on human toxicity is limited, the chemical compounds in the plant suggest potential impacts on gastrointestinal motility. Caution is advised when handling this species due to these biological activities. Careful study is required to fully understand the implications for mammalian digestive systems.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Convolvulus arvensis produced no significant antidiarrhoeal effect in rats when administered in a dose of 200 mg kg(-1). At a dose of 400 mg kg(-1), Convolvulus arvensis also produced no antidiarrhoeal effect. The methanol extract of Convolvulus arvensis induced a dose-dependent relaxation of rabbit's duodenal smooth muscle in concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 2.8 mg ml(-1). The effect of Convolvulus arvensis was not through any of the common mediators. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, unsaturated sterols/triterpenes, carbohydrates, lactones and proteins/amino acids as major constituents.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- relaxation of rabbit's duodenal smooth muscle
What herbs are paired with Convolvulus arvensis?
This plant, commonly known as field bindweed, is best paired with aromatic herbs like rosemary, lavender, and sage to balance its sprawling growth habit in a garden setting.
Because its creeping vines can easily overwhelm delicate species, choosing robust woody herbs helps create a structural contrast. Planting mint or lemon balm nearby can also serve as a functional companion to mask the plant's presence through scent. These pairings help manage the visual chaos caused by the weed's tendency to climb over other vegetation.
Using strong-smelling perennials ensures the garden remains aesthetically organized despite the invasive nature of the bindweed.