Convolvulaceae: Calystegia sepium ssp. angulate
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Family Name
Convolvulaceae
Common Name
Hedge false bindweed, Hedge bindweed
Description
Calystegia sepium ssp. angulate is a rhizomatous, perennial vining herb growing up to 4-5 m in length, the stems smooth and lacking tendrils, wrapping around plants and fences for support. The simple, alternate leaves are arrowhead shaped, the petioles are 2-7 cm long, and the blades are 2-15 cm long by 1-9 cm wide. The margins are entire to wavey. The axillary flowers are solitary on peduncles 3-13 cm long with 2 angular, somewhat inflated bracts, 14-26 mm long and 10-18 mm wide, surrounding the calyx. The 5 rounded, unequal sepals are 11-15 mm long by 4-6 mm wide, thin and somewhat transparent. The funnel shaped corolla is white, often tinged with pink on the edges, 4.5-6 cm long and about as wide at the opening. There are 5 subequal stamens 2.5-3 cm long and the style is about 2.5 cm long. Each flower usually lasts only 1 day. The fruit is a capsule, 10-13 mm in diameter and surrounded by the enlarged bracts that can reach 3.5 cm in length. Hedge bindweed blooms from June into August in thickets, atop fences and hedges throughout South Dakota.
Horticulture Notes
Seed collection: The capsules can be collected when they mature and turn brownish during the summer and fall.
Germination: Fall sowing or scarification with sandpaper will allow spring planting,
Vegetative propagation: Division of rhizome clumps in spring or fall.
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Soil: Sandy, loamy to clay.
Water: Moist to mesic.
Additional Notes
Hedge false bindweed can be an attractive planting on fences. The leaves have a noticeable shape and the flowers, though short-lived, will continue to bloom for months, especially if the fruits are removed. They spread by rhizomes and can become aggressive when grown under favorable conditions. The ssp. angulate is native to SD but is very similar to ssp. sepium which is an introduced weed in the eastern US and ours is sometimes mistaken for a noxious weed.