Hedge Bindweed is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in scrubland, hedgerows and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 300cm.
Hedge Bindweed is a climbing plant that binds itself around other plants and can reach a height of several metres, depending on the supporting plants and structures available. It has large, roughly heart-shaped leaves, with blunted basal lobes. It bears fuse-petalled 'trumpet' flowers coloured white, or pink and white striped.
Botanic classification and naming: Hedge Bindweed is a member of the Morning Glory (Convolvulaceae) family. The genus name
'Calystegia' identifies the plant as a False Bindweed and its species name 'sepium' means 'hedge plant'.
Concerns: Hedge Bindweed can be very difficult to control. The vigorous growth and climbing, binding habit of this plant allow it to 'strangle' neighbouring plants. It also spreads rapidly using very long rhizomes and has seed that remains viable for many years.
Benefits: Pollinated by hoverflies and provides a food source for caterpillars of the Common Plume moth.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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