Wild morning glory, creeping jenny, creeping Charlie, devil’s guts, possession vine, corn bind
Field bindweed is a persistent, perennial vine that is a member of the morning-glory family. It is a serious problem for farmers and ranchers in cultivated fields, but can be found in lawns, and gravel areas. The root system is extensive and grows roots both vertically and laterally and the roots are white and cord-like and produce buds of which new shoots start from. The leaves are dark green, smooth, alternate, petioled, and arrow-shaped with blunt tips. The stem is a vine that grows along the ground until it reaches something to climb and when it starts to climb it is very aggressive and forms dense infestations. Field bindweed flowers are white to pink in color and bloom from June to August and the flowers are bell-shaped or funnel and they exist on the longer stalks from the main stem. This plant primarily reproduces through its root systems. The seeds are pear-shaped, light gray-brown in color and have bumps on the surface.
Vine-like stems, twining, arrow-shaped dark green leaves and bell shaped white to pink flowers along the stalks.
Field bindweed is found in a variety of habitats: orchards, roadsides, stream banks, lake shores, ditches, cultivated lands, and disturbed habitats. This plant prefers to have strong sunlight and uses its vine stems to move into the sunlight and can persist in dry to moderately moist soils and is capable of surviving through a drought.
There are herbicides and other control methods that commonly control field bindweed. For more information on these herbicides and other control methods contact the Crook County Weed and Pest office.
If there is more desirable vegetation Field bindweed will not be overly competitive. Seeds from this plant can remain viable in the soils for up to 50 years or more. Field bindweed has been used for medical purposes: tea made from the flowers is a laxative and is also used to treat fevers and wounds and spider bits.