Wild-Flower Study 537 



LESSON CXXIX 

 THE HEDGE BINDWEED 



Leading thought There are some plants which have such weak stems 

 that they are obliged to cling to objects for support. The bindweed is one 

 of these, and the way that it takes hold of objects and grows upon them 

 is an interesting story. 



Method It is better to study this plant where it grows ; but if this is 

 not practical, the vine with its support should be brought into the school- 

 room, the two being carefully kept in their natural relative positions. 

 Several of the questions should be given to the pupils for their personal 

 observation upon this vine in the field. It is an excellent study for 

 pencil or water-color drawing. 



Observations i. How does the bindweed get support, so that its 

 leaves and its flowers may spread out in the sunshine ? Why does its own 

 stem not support it? What would happen to a plant with such a weak 

 stem, if it did not twine upon other objects? 



2 . How does it climb upon other plants ? Does its stem always wind 

 or twist in the same direction? How does it first catch hold of the other 

 plant? If the supporting object is firm, does it wind as often for a given 

 space as when it has a frail support? Can you see the reason for this? 



3. Look at the leaves. Sketch one, to be sure that you see its beauti- 

 ful form and veins. Note if the leaves are arranged alternately on the 

 stem n and then observe how and why they seem to come from one side of 

 the stem. Why do they do this? 



4. What is there peculiar about the flower bud? Look at its stem 

 carefully and describe it. Cut it across and look at the end with a lens 

 and describe it. Turn back two sepal-like bracts at the base of the flower 

 or bud. Are they a part of the flower, or are they below it? Find the 

 true sepals. How many are there ? Are they all the same size ? 



5. Examine the flower in blossom. What is its shape? Describe its 

 colors. Look down into it. How many stamens are there, and how are 

 they set in the flower? How does the pistil look when the flower first 

 opens? Later? Can you see the color of the pollen? Can you find 

 where the nectar is borne? How many nectar- wells are there? 



6. What insects do you find visiting bindweed flowers? Do the 

 flowers remain open at night or on dark days? 



7. Study the seed-capsule. How is it protected on the outside? 

 What next enfolds it ? Can you see now the uses of the sepals of several 

 sizes? Cut a seed-capsule across with all its coverings, and see how it is 

 protected. How many seeds are there in the capsule? 



8. Has the bindweed other methods of spreading than by seeds? 

 Look at the roots and tell what you observe about them. 



9. Make a study of the plant on which the bindweed is climbing, and 

 tell what has happened to it. 



10. Compare the bindweed with the morning-glory, and notice the 

 differences and resemblances. 



Supplementary reading: "Morning-Glory Stories," in Flowers and 

 Their Friends, Morley; Botany Reader, Newell, Chap. 10; Golden 

 Numbers, page 74. 



