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Home > Weeds > Morning Glory

Morning Glory—Convolvulus arvensis

aka Field Bindweed

An aggressive perennial, morning glory spreads by rhizomes (creeping horizontal roots) and by creeping stems to form a dense ground cover. It can be found in orchards, fields, lawns, stream banks, lake shores, roadsides and ditches.

morning glory infestation morning glory stems morning glory flowers
Also called Field bindweed, Morning glory is an invasive perennial originally from Europe, North Africa and Asia. Its twining stems are 1½ to 6 feet long, and grow along the ground or up and around nearby plants and structures. Flowers are bell or funnel-shaped, white to light pink, ¾ to 1 inch in diameter.
morning glory leaves morning glory seeds morning glory stems caught in tractor
Leaves are arrow-shaped, with smooth edges, 1 to 2 inches long. Reproduces by seed and by rhizomes (creeping horizontal roots). Seeds can remain viable for 50 years. The long, twining stems can be a serious problem for farmers.

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[Photos, left to right: Barry Rice, sarracenia.com, Bugwood.org; Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org; K. George Beck & James Sebastian, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org; K. George Beck & James Sebastian, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org; Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org; John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org]

 
It is the policy of the State of Maine to minimize reliance on pesticides. The Maine Department of Agriculture and the Maine IPM Council encourage everyone to practice integrated pest management and to use pesticides only as a last resort. The mention of pesticides in the fact sheets linked to these pages does not imply an endorsement of any product. Be sure that any product used is currently registered and follow all label directions.