Japanese false bindweed (Calystegia hederacea) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Japanese false bindweed is a vine native to Asia that grows along roadsides, railroad edges, and disturbed ground in several U.S. states. Its flowers are pale pink or whitish, and its arrowhead-shaped leaves have lower sections that usually spread outward and split into sharp points. It is also called Japanese bindweed.

Appearance

Growth form: Young stems may stand upright, then trail or twine for up to about 2.6 ft (80 cm).
Leaves: The leaves are arrowhead-shaped. The two lower parts usually spread outward and split again into sharp points.
Flowers: The pale pink, sometimes whitish flowers are about 0.8–1.4 in (2–3.5 cm) long. Two leafy sit directly beneath the flower.

Look-alikes

hedge bindweedCalystegia sepium

Japanese false bindweed is usually lower and has ivy-like divided leaves with smaller flowers and bracts. Hedge bindweed is generally larger, with longer leaves and larger flowers.

Why they get mixed upBoth have arrowhead leaves and large bracts beneath a trumpet-shaped flower.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: roadsides
railroad edges
disturbed sites
Range: Native to Asia, it is introduced in several eastern and midwestern U.S. states and has also been recorded in Idaho.

Growing it

Propagation: Long, slender let the plant spread sideways and send up new shoots.

Name and classification

About the name: Some classifications use the name Convolvulus wallichianus for this plant.
Varieties and forms: In Ohio, many escaped plants have extra petals, giving the pink flowers a small rose-like look.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

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