What is the withywind?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
November 7, 2002
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The withywind or field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis Linnaeus) is native to Eurasia and naturalized over most temperate areas of the world. The funnelform flowers range from pale pink to white. It is a nuisance in both agricultural fields and natural habitats.
Withywind grows rapidly, covering and shading-out agricultural crops. The vines coil and twine, binding other plants into dense mats. Yields are greatly reduced in fields where withywind is present. Even John Gerard (The Herbal, 1633 ed.) commented, "...the bindweeds are not fit for medicine, but unprofitable weeds, and hurtfull unto each thing that growth next unto them."
The vines jam in machinery slowing and often halting crop harvest. The name, withywind, apparently means, 'flexibly strong, entangle'. Even when fields can be harvested, bindweed seed mixed with the crop seed reduces the value of the harvest. Crop loss is estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars (US) per year.
Bindweed is difficult to eradicate because of its brittle root system. The roots break underground when the plant is pulled. Each piece of root remaining in the soil will send up its own shoot. Pulling the weed simply propagates it. Once bindweed blooms and sets seed, the problem increases. Seeds remain viable for up to fifty years.
As bindweed twines around a support plant, it climbs in a counter-clockwise spiral (ground upward). Under optimum conditions, the tip of the vine can grow through one complete revolution in less than one and three-quarters hours.
The Nature Conservancy in conjunction with the University of California, Davis has posted photographs of the withywind. To view the photographs, click on the link:
http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/convarve.html
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the images.
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading:
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Oats, past and present Plants that Changed History - March 23, 2004
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Gardeners, it's time to call a spade a spade...or, in the case of moss, it's time to recognize this velvety green plant for what it really is: a weed! Yes, moss can be attractive in its place (say, on a log deep in the forest). But when it's growing on your lawn, garden, patio or on the roof or side of your home, moss is no better than any other unwelcome weed. In fact, when growing on sidewalks, brick patios and other walkways, moss can be unsightly.
More info.
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Our tests have shown that Weed-Aside works much faster and more thoroughly than similar products. A blend of naturally-occurring fatty acids, Weed-Aside kills weeds, then quickly decomposes in the soil. Because Weed-Aside affects only the leaves that it contacts directly, you can use it around food crops, as well as around flowers and shrubs. Weed-Aside controls mosses, algae and lichens, as well as broadleaf weeds and annual grassy weeds, wherever they grow. Won't stain brick or paving. Sow seed or set out transplants in treated areas five days after application.
More info...
Like WOW! Plus, original WOW! controls crabgrass, creeping bentgrass, foxtail, lamb's-quarters, purslane and other weeds just after they germinate, before you even notice them. WOW! contains no lingering synthetic chemicals.
More info...
Click here - $20 FREE off your first order at Gardens Alive!
[More Weed Control]
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