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CONVOLVULUS 



The branches root at the joints and the edible tubers grow close 

 together under the crown and, unlike the common potato, they do 

 not bear definite eyes. The commercial varieties that are carefully 

 cultivated rarely bloom; the strength of the plant goes to the 

 root. The blossom, when it does appear, is a purple funnel- 

 shaped bell opening by day and rarely producing seed. The 

 leaves vary greatly in form and in size. 



CONVOLVULUS. HEDGE BINDWEED 



Convdlvulus sepium. 



From the Latin convolvo, roll around or twine; referring to the 

 habit of the plant. 



A wild, climbing plant, common in low grounds; often planted to 

 adorn walls and fences. Spreads by running rootstocks; variable; 

 double-flowered in gardens. 



Stem. — Twining freely, sometimes also 

 trailing. 



Leaves. — ^Triangular, and halberd-shaped, 

 or arrow-shaped, with the lobes at base 

 obliquely truncate; often somewhat toothed 

 or sinuate-lobed. 



Flowers. — White or pale-rose, one and a 

 half to two inches long. Peduncles four- 

 angled. 



Calyx. — Enclosed in two large, leafy 

 bracts; sepals five. 



Corolla. — Bell funnel-form; white with 

 pink lines or pale-rose; border obscurely 

 five-lobed. 



Stamens. — Five, inserted on the tube of 

 the corolla. 



Ovary. — Two-celled; style one; stigma 

 two-lobed. 



Capsule. — Two-celled; cells two-seeded. 



Convolvulus. Convolvulus 

 shpium 



The Convolvulus is also known as the Bindweed, and there is 

 something decidedly sinister in the name of Bindweed, for it 

 characterizes the evil power of the plant. The strong twining 



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