CONVOLVULACEAE CONVOLVULUS FAMILY 
HEDGE BINDWEED 
Convolvulus sepium L. 
In Europe this species is said to be pollinated only by a cer- 
tain moth, and in regions where the moth does not occur the 
Hedge Bindweed is also absent. 
Although universally 
considered a most bother- 
some weed, this Bindweed | 
rivals the rest of the Morn- . 
ing Glory tribe in beauty 
of its flowers. It is common 
along railroads and road- 
sides and in fields and 
thickets nearly everywhere 
east of the Rockies, as well 
as in Europe and Asia. 
It is perennial by a 
slender underground stem, 
which if broken by culti- 
vation gives rise to new 
plants from the pieces. 
The aerial stems grow very 
rapidly and become 3-10 
feet long. They twine about ) 
any support that is avail- 
able, and always turning 
counterclockwise. 
The flowering season is June to September, 
the flowers opening very early in the morning 
and closing as the sun goes down. Sometimes 
on moonlight nights they remain open and are visited by certain 
moths. In daytime they are visited by butterflies. The corolla 
is rose-pink with white stripes or sometimes is all white. The 2 
bracts on the peduncle are large, close to the flower and com- 
pletely inclosing the calyx. 
The Hairy Hedge Bindweed or Hairy Wild Morning Glory, 
Convolvulus sepium L. var. pubescens (Gray) Fernald, is known by 
botanists to be rare about the Great Lakes. It has been reported 
only once from Illinois, and that more than 25 years ago from Lake 
county. It is a smaller plant, hairy and with smaller leaves that are 
more oblong and have triangular tips. 
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