Hedge Bindweed, Hedge false bindweed, Appalachia false bindweed, Bingham's false bindweed
Calystegia sepium

Family: Convolvulaceae

What it is like

Calystegia sepium is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 3 m (9ft 10in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 3

Where it is found

Hedges, fences, edges of woods, waste ground etc.

Most of Europe, excluding the north but including Britain, W. Asia, N. Africa and N. America.

Conservation Status: Calystegia sepium. Status: Least Concern

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, China, Europe, France, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mediterranean, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Tasmania, Turkey,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Stalks and root - cooked. Washed and steamed. A pleasant sweet taste. Rich in starch and sugars, it is very nutritious. It should not be eaten regularly, however, due to its possible purgative effect. Young shoots - cooked. Some caution is advised since they are possibly purgative.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The root is demulcent, diuretic, febrifuge, poultice and strongly purgative. Use of the root is believed to increase the flow of bile.

Cholagogue: Increases the flow of bile and its discharge from the body.

Demulcent: Soothes, lubricates and softens irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.

Purgative: A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.

Other

Rating: 1

The stems are very flexible and can be used as an emergency string for tying. It is fairly strong but not very long-lasting.

String: Plants that can be used for string or can be easily made into a string. See also Fibre. Plants for ropes may be included.

How it is grown

Easily grown in ordinary garden soil in a sunny position, but plants are apt to become invasive. Hedge bindweed is a troublesome garden weed, especially when growing on moist soils. The plant is a vigorous climber with annual shoots 3 metres or more long. These twine around other plants and can kill them by smothering them. Once established, it is very difficult to eradicate the plant because it has very deep roots and is capable of re-growing from any part of the root left in the ground. The flowers open in sunny weather and remain closed during dull weather. Nearly all taxa in Calystegia intergrade geographically into neighboring taxa with the exception of the widespread coastal species, C. soldanella (Linnaeus) R. Brown. It is impossible to draw clearly defined specific limits, and intermediate forms are always found where two taxa approximate geographically.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame in a free draining compost and only just cover. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in early spring whilst dormant.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedgerow;

Habit: Perennial Climber

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

This species is said to be purgative, some caution is advised.

This plant can be weedy or invasive. Known to be invasive in Texas, USA (hedge bindweed - Noxious plant). Weedy in Kentucky, Nebraska, and parts of the East, West and South, USA.

Its other names

Local names

Rutland beauty, bugle vine, heavenly trumpets, bellbind, bellvine, granny-pop-out-of-bed, greater bindweed, bearbind, hedge convolvulus, hooded bindweed, old man's nightcap, wild morning glory, bride's gown, wedlock (referring to the white gown-like flowers and the binding nature of the vine), white witches hat, belle of the ball,

Synonyms

Convolvulus sepium.