Japanese False Bindweed
Calystegia hederacea

Family: Convolvulaceae

What it is like

A climbing herb. It keeps growing from year to year. The shoots can climb or lay along the ground and are 3 m long. The leaves are green and arrow shaped. The flowers are pink and 5 cm across.

There are 25 Calystegia species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in fields, wasteland, roadsides, river banks, often on sandy soils between 100–3500 m. It needs a sunny position. It is resistant to frost and sensitive to drought. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Australia, Central Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan (country/location of origin), Korea, Malaysia, Manchuria, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, SE Asia, Taiwan, Tajikistan, NE Africa, North America

How it is used for food

Young leaves are cooked as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, root, flowers

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by root division.

It grows rapidly.

Its other names

Local names

Broken bowl flower, Dawanhua, Labahua, Rabbit's ear plant, Small twining flower

Synonyms

Calystegia abyssinica Engler; Calystegia acetosifolia (Turczani-now) Turczaninow, Calystegia hederacea Wallich var. elongata Liou & Ling; Convolvulus acetosifolius Turczaninow; Convolvulus calystegioides Choisy; Convolvulus wallichianus Sprengel; Volvulus hederaceus (Wallich) Kuntze.