Field Bindweed. (Convolvusus Avensis)
- Rich
- Apr 26
- 2 min read
Field bindweed is one of the most frustrating plants to deal with. It has long roots, propagates in good soil as well as bad soil. Is resilient to changes in PH, drought, flood, freezing, and hot temperatures. From a regenerative or chemical standpoint, this guy takes years to remove. Here’s some information I dug up on a rainy day about Field Bindweed.
Description:
Perennial vine with arrow shaped leaves varying between .4 to 4 inches long and up to 2.4 inches wide. These long vines can reach lengths over 6 feet long and have the capacity to climb structures and strangle other plants. Each plant can produce several flowers with 5 fused petals in a funnel form and appear for a day. The root network is what makes this noxious weed so difficult, the tap root can grow up to 25 feet deep with other roots growing in all directions and popping up new crowns.
Soil Benefits:
This deep rooted plant pulls minerals from deep within the soil profile and is known to accumulate calcium, magnesium, cadmium, chromium, copper, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Bindweed is thought to be a soil indicator of soil with an excess of magnesium and potassium and low calcium and phosphorus. It’s often looking for areas with organic matter that is not breaking down, such as the edges of a compost pile, garden bed, or wood chip pathway. Since this is a deep rooted mineral accumulating plant, it may be used in hot compost or plant ferments for mineral retention and distribution. Personally, I just tend to pull it and lay it back on top of the soil to decompose in place.
Medicinal Benefits:
Traditionally, Bindweed has been used to help with bacterial and fungal infections, both topically and internally as well as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Some research is being done on possible anti-cancer actions. Historical uses include improving urinary function, relieving achy bones, cysts, libido, anemia, coughs, and as a laxative. Bindweed can be toxic to livestock and can also cause vomiting and diarrhea in humans if too much is taken. It should be avoided if pregnant, lactating, or have healing wounds.
Management:
· Pull as much of the tops and roots out as often as possible. The roots hold the energy to regrow vegetation, but will eventually run out as the tops are no longer provided energy from the sun.
· Plant cover crops or perennial crops to shade them out. They do require a good amount of sun to thrive.
· Don’t allow field bindweed to go to seed. Each plant can produce hundreds of seeds per year that can persist for as long as 50 years.
· Avoid tillage, as breaking up the roots into smaller pieces may promote more growth.
· Having balanced agronomy and a healthy, diverse soil microbial and fungal populations may reduce bindweed as organic matter is broken down properly.
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