Field Bindweed

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Convolvulus prostratus
• European bindweed
• European morning glory
• cornbind
• creeping jenny
• field bindweed
• perennial morning glory
• bindweed
• common bindweed
• lesser bindweed
• small bindweed
• white convolvulus
• wild morning-glory
• Field Morning Glory
• Mourning Glory
• Small-flowered Mourning Glory
• cornbine
• orchard morning-glory

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Convolvulus arvensis var. obtusifolius
• Convolvulus arvensis var. cherleri
• Convolvulus arvensis var. paui
• Convolvulus arvensis var. auriculatus
• Convolvulus arvensis f. auriculatus
• Convolvulus arvensis var. alvarensis
• Convolvulus arvensis var. villosus
• Convolvulus ambigens
• Convolvulus arvensis f. alvarensis
• Convolvulus arvensis var. striatus
• Convolvulus arvensis var. minor
• Convolvulus arvensis subsp. crispatus
• Convolvulus arvensis var. stonestreetii
• Convolvulus arvensis var. hastulatus
• Convolvulus arvensis var. pumilus
• Convolvulus arvensis var. linearifolius
• Convolvulus arvensis f. cordifolius
• Convolvulus cherleri
• Convolvulus arvensis var. biflorus
• Convolvulus europaeus
• Convolvulus arvensis var. multiflorus
• Pantocsekia illyrica
• Convolvulus arvensis f. decarrhabdotus
• Convolvulus arvensis f. decemvulnerus
• Convolvulus hastifolius
• Convolvulus arvensis f. notatus
• Convolvulus corsicus
• Convolvulus arvensis f. pallidinotatus
• Convolvulus arvensis f. pallidiroseus
• Convolvulus auriculatus
• Convolvulus arvensis f. pentarrhabdotus
• Convolvulus arvensis f. pentastictus
• Convolvulus arvensis f. perroseus
• Convolvulus segobricencis
• Convolvulus arvensis f. quinquevulnerus
• Convolvulus translucens
• Convolvulus arvensis var. cordifolius
• Convolvulus arvensis var. aphacifolius
• Convolvulus arvensis var. filicaulis
• Convolvulus malcolmii
• Convolvulus arvensis var. minutus
• Convolvulus arvensis var. parvifolius
• Convolvulus arvensis var. hirtus
• Convolvulus arvensis var. trigonophyllus
• Convolvulus arvensis var. prostratus
• Strophocaulos arvensis
• Convolvulus incanus var. glabratus
• Convolvulus arvensis f. paui
• Convolvulus arvensis var. trichoacanthus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Solanales, it is classified under the family Convolvulaceae and the genus Convolvulus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Convolvulus arvensis, exhibits a widespread presence across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally throughout the landscapes of Denmark. Its distribution also extends to the territories of Finland and Norway. Furthermore, the species is commonly documented across the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Together, these locations highlight its significant presence within the northern reaches of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Convolvulus arvensis is characterized by a broad adaptive capacity that allows it to inhabit diverse environments, ranging from sea level to significant altitudes. Specifically, its elevational range spans from 0 m AMSL up to a maximum of 3200 m AMSL, demonstrating a remarkable tolerance for varying altitudinal gradients and climatic conditions. In terms of preferred environment, the species frequently colonizes "Área Antrópica" (anthropic areas), indicating a strong tendency to thrive in human-disturbed landscapes, agricultural fields, roadsides, and urban margins where soil disturbance provides ideal germination sites.

Elevational range max:

3200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Genetics

The genetics of Convolvulus arvensis are characterized by a complex chromosomal constitution that facilitates its high adaptability and invasive potential. The plant exhibits significant variation in its ploidy levels, which is reflected in its observed chromosome numbers, specifically documented as 24, 48, and 50. This presence of multiple chromosome sets, including both diploid and polyploid states, suggests a high degree of genomic plasticity. Such chromosomal diversity plays a crucial role in the species' evolutionary success, allowing it to navigate diverse environmental pressures and maintain genetic vigor across varying ecological niches.

Chromosome number :

24, 48, 50

Life history

The life history of Convolvulus arvensis is characterized by a complex and adaptive strategy, functioning primarily as a perennial plant that can exhibit variable growth patterns. Its life form is multifaceted, categorized as a therophyte, which allows it to complete its life cycle rapidly in favorable conditions, while it also displays characteristics of a hemicryptophyte and a geophyte, utilizing underground structures to survive adverse periods. This dual nature enables the plant to persist in various environments through specialized survival mechanisms. Furthermore, the plant is deciduous, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal cycle, a trait that complements its ability to endure through different climatic shifts.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Convolvulus arvensis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. As a terrestrial plant, it does not possess aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining an independent existence. The plant exhibits a climbing habit, specifically acting as an obligatory vine that relies on external support rather than being self-supporting. Its shoot orientation is primarily prostrate, though it can extend significantly through its stems. In terms of dimensions, the plant typically maintains a mean height of approximately 0.2815 m, with a height range varying from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 1.2 m. The shoot length is also substantial, ranging from a minimum of 20 cm to a maximum of 100 cm.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height mean:

0.2815 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Shoot length max:

100 cm

Shoot length min:

20 cm

Shoot orientation :

prostrate

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Convolvulus arvensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a standard carbon fixation process typical of many temperate climbing plants. As a non-carnivorous species, its nutritional strategy relies on soil-based nutrient uptake rather than insectivory. The leaf morphology plays a critical role in its resource management, featuring an ovate form with entire margins and an absence of leaf thorns or spines. The leaves exhibit significant dimensional variability, with a mean length of 3.25 cm (ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 10 cm) and a mean width of 2 cm (ranging from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum of 4 cm), resulting in a mean leaf size of 11.2475 cm². Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 287.35 cm²/g, a metric that reflects its leaf thickness and its strategy for balancing light interception with water conservation and biomass investment.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

ovate

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

3.25 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf size mean:

11.2475 cm²

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width mean:

2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.3 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

287.35 cm²/g

Reproduction

Reproduction in Convolvulus arvensis is primarily sexual, occurring through bisexual flowers that exhibit a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically attracting insects such as bees. The flowering period is variable, typically beginning between March and April and extending through to September. The flowers are pink in color, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm. Self-fertilization is noted as absent, highlighting the importance of cross-pollination. Following fertilization, the plant produces dry, dehiscence-style capsules as its fruit type. These capsules vary in size, with a mean length of 0.675 cm (ranging from 0.5 to 0.8 cm) and a mean width of 0.7 cm (ranging from 0.5 to 0.7 cm). Each fruit is highly prolific, containing between 101 and 1000 seeds. The seeds themselves are quite small, with a mean length of 3.1 mm (ranging from 3 to 4 mm) and a mean volume of 14 mm³. Seed mass is also highly variable, with a mean of approximately 0.01356 g, though values can range from a minimum of 0.00035 g to a maximum of 0.03469 g. Dispersal of these seeds is facilitated through several syndromes, including anemochorous (wind), unspecialized, and anthropochorous (human-mediated) methods. Asexual reproduction is absent in this species.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

pink

Flower length max:

2.5 cm

Flower length min:

1.5 cm

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.8 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.675 cm

Fruit length min:

0.5 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

0.7 cm

Fruit width min:

0.5 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length max:

4 mm

Seed length mean:

3.1 mm

Seed length min:

3 mm

Seed mass max:

0.03469 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00199 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0135612856666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.00035 g

Seed volume max:

14 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Convolvulus arvensis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

Root

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Chemicals

Convolvulus arvensis has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Coumarins, Fatty acids, GLYCOLIPID, Himachalene.

Flavonoids

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

Coumarins

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Fatty acids

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

GLYCOLIPID

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Himachalene

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

LONGIFOLENE

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

Sesquiterpene

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Sterols

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

THYMOL

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

Triterpenes

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Activities

Convolvulus arvensis has 4 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antimicrobial.

Antibacterial

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)
2. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
3. Food science & nutrition
4. International journal of molecular sciences

Antioxidant

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Biochemistry and biophysics reports
3. Food science & nutrition
4. International journal of molecular sciences

Anticancer

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Antimicrobial

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Conditions

Convolvulus arvensis has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, angiogenesis, cancer, free radicals.

E. coli

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

1. Food science & nutrition

Angiogenesis

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Cancer

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Free radicals

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

Infections

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

Infectious diseases

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Preparations

Convolvulus arvensis has 5 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Hydroalcoholic extracts, Methanol extract, essential oils, plant extracts, proteoglycan mixture (PGM).

Hydroalcoholic extracts

1. Biochemistry and biophysics reports

Methanol extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Essential oils

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

Plant extracts

1. Food science & nutrition

Proteoglycan mixture (pgm)

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine