Australian Bindweed, Pinkflower bindweed
Convolvulus erubescens
Family: Convolvulaceae
What it is like
Convolvulus erubescens is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 2 m (6ft 7in). It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 2
Where it is found
Loamy soils in grassland and open forest to the montane zone.
Australia - all areas except the extreme north.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 1
Used in the treatment of diarrhoea, indigestion and stomach pains.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
Other
Rating:
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
We have very little information on this species and do not know how cold hardy it will be in British gardens. It is hardy to about -7°c in Australian gardens, though this cannot be applied directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters. It is likely that this species will only succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a lighter basic soil of low to medium fertility. Bindweed is a very deep-rooting plant with a vigorous root system that extends to a considerable distance and is very hard to eradicate from the soil. Even a small piece of the root will grow into a new plant if it is left in the ground. Once established this plant soon becomes a pernicious weed. It is a climbing plant that supports itself by twining around any support it can find and can soon swamp and strangle other plants. The flowers close at night and also during rainy weather. Some members of this genus harbour tobacco mosaic virus of the Solanaceae and so should not be grown near potatoes, tomatoes and other members of that family.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown in situ as soon as it is ripe, it germinates in the autumn. This species can become a real pest in the garden so it is unwise to encourage it.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
Habit: Perennial Climber
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist