Hedge Bindweed

A native perennial vine that is up to 10' long, often climbing over other herbaceous plants and shrubs. The twining stems are light green or red, upon which the leaves occur rather sparsely. These leaves are about 4-5" and 2-3" across when mature. They often have an arrowhead shape, which is deeply incised at the base. Otherwise, they are cordate, deltoid, or ovate, with different forms occurring even on the same plant. The flowering buds are white or light lavender, from which funnel-shaped flowers unfurl that assume the same colors. Each flower is about 2½-3" across and has a yellow throat, from which the sexual organs barely protrude, appearing as a small white spike. The flowers open during the morning, and bloom sporadically all summer during sunny weather. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous, and may extend into the ground up to 10'. American Bindweed spreads vegetatively and by seeds