Great Bindweed - Calystegia sepium

Image: © Rob Farrow Taken: 2 Oct 2009

The bindweeds are in a family of plants called Convolvulaceae, and many related species are known by the group name Convolvulus, indeed this the largest species was formerly called Convolvulus sepium, but it is now considered to be in a separate genus. There are several subspecies across the world, but the most common variants to be found in Britain are C. sepium sepium (the pure white version seen here) and C sepium roseata which has a pretty pink blush to it. Though an attractive flowering plant, it is considered a noxious weed as its climbing technique using tight curling tendrils can choke and kill other plants while its vigorous root system makes it difficult to eradicate. This particular example is growing in a tangled hedge and entwining itself around barbed wire next to Greenfield Road southeast of Flitwick.

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0