Bearbind (Calystegia sepium, Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland.: 483 (1810))

Family: Convolvulaceae

Author: (L.) R.Br.

Bibliography: Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland.: 483 (1810)

Year: 1810

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Calystegia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. & Subtropics

Description

Bearbind, scientifically known as Calystegia sepium, is a fascinating plant that has been captivating botanists and plant enthusiasts alike since it was first described in 1810. The description of this species is credited to renowned botanist Robert Brown. This perennial plant thrives in temperate and subtropical regions, showcasing adaptability to a variety of climates.

Belonging to the Convolvulaceae family, Bearbind stands out for its vigorous and twining growth habit. It often finds its home in hedgerows, along riverbanks, and even in disturbed areas such as roadsides and wastelands. Its growth can be quite aggressive, as it has the capability to climb over other vegetation, sometimes forming dense mats.

Bearbind features beautiful, trumpet-shaped flowers that are typically white or pale pink, adding a touch of elegance to its somewhat audacious growth style. These flowers, which usually bloom from late spring to early autumn, not only attract human admiration but also play a crucial role in supporting local pollinators like bees and butterflies.

The leaves of Bearbind are another distinctive characteristic, presenting a lush, heart-shaped appearance. This foliage provides a lush green backdrop that can be both attractive and a bit of a challenge to manage in gardens and natural landscapes.

Despite its charming appearance, Bearbind is often considered a weed due to its relentless expansion and the difficulty in eradicating it once established. Gardeners and land managers need to keep a watchful eye on this plant to prevent it from overwhelming other desirable species.

Bearbind’s resilience and adaptability have allowed it to spread across various environments, making it a plant worth studying and understanding, particularly for those interested in plant behavior and ecology in temperate and subtropical climates. Its ability to thrive and sometimes dominate an area speaks to the incredible survival strategies employed by members of the Convolvulaceae family.

Common Names

Eng: bearbind, bindweed, devil’s guts, granny-pop-out-of-bed, greater bindweed, hedge bindweed, hedge false bindweed, hedgebell, large bindweed, old man’s night cap, wild morning-glory, wild morningglory, great bindweed agg., large-flowered false bindweed, wild morning glory
Deu: echte zaunwinde, gewöhnliche zaunwinde, zaunwinde
Dan: gærde-snerle
Spa: bons-dias, corregula mayor, erva-malaia
Ita: campanella, villuccio
Nor: gjærsvinda, skogsvinnel, vild spinat
Fra: grand liseron, liseron des haies, veillée
Nld: haagwinde
Swe: snårvinda
Por: trepadeira
Cym: boled olwen, cap nos nain, cloffrwym y cythraul, cloffrwym y mwci, clych y perthi, cwlwm y coed, ladi wen, taglys mawr, taglys y perthi, tagwydd
Nob: hvit strandvindel, kvit strandvindel
Nno: kvit strandvindel
En: Bearbind, Granny-pop-out-of-bed, Greater bindweed, Hedge bindweed, Bindweed, Wild morning-glory, Appalachia false bindweed, Hedge false bindweed, Devil’s guts, Hedgebell, Large bindweed, Old man’s night cap, Wild morningglory, Great Bindweed agg., Large-flowered false bindweed, Wild morning glory
Da: Gærde-snerle
Nl: Haagwinde
Fr: Grand liseron, Liseron des haies, Veillée
De: Zaunwinde, Gewöhnliche Zaunwinde, Echte Zaunwinde
It: Campanella, Villuccio
No: Gjærsvinda, Skogsvinnel, Vild spinat
Nb: Hvit strandvindel, Kvit strandvindel
Nn: Kvit strandvindel
Pt: Trepadeira
Es: Corregula mayor, Bons-dias, Erva-malaia
Sv: Snårvinda
Cy: Boled Olwen, Cap Nos Nain, Cloffrwym y Cythraul, Cloffrwym y Mwci, Clych y Perthi, Cwlwm y Coed, Ladi Wen, Taglys Mawr, Taglys y Perthi, Tagwydd

Synonyms

• Convolvulus sepium (L.)
• Volvulus sepium ((L.) Medik.)
• Convolvulus sepium var. typicus (Fiori)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Alabama (native)
• Albania (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• California (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Denmark (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Easter Is. (native)
• Finland (native)
• Florida (native)
• France (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Montana (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New South Wales (native)
• New York (native)
• New Zealand North (native)
• New Zealand South (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Peru (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tristan da Cunha (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Victoria (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Western Australia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Brazil North (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Chita (introduced)
• Desventurados Is. (introduced)
• Kermadec Is. (introduced)
• Kuril Is. (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Oct 24, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2021 by Suzie Taillon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 24, 2022 by Ishan Boghara (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 2, 2021 by Alexandra Norrsken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2019 by Aaron Schultz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2019 by Kuzma Kristal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2022 by Pavel Veselý (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 1, 2020 by BOTANIC SL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2021 by D M (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2019 by liz liz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 29, 2021 by valérie Delannoy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Nov 19, 2015 by EOL − Katy Johns (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 4, 2021 by Michael Andresek (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2022 by Ha Anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2020 by Andrew Gagg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 11, 2020 by eelco rommel (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2022 by Robin Tierney (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2017 by Lisa J (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2018 by Kevin Tavenetat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2021 by chris blaylock (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 9, 2019 by Seyed M. Fatemi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 17, 2022 by joey chalice (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2019 by Flower Happy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2022 by fatih izler (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2928441)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30033025-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Calystegia sepium (L.) R. Br.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb, Vine

Growth