Day 319: If you've ever walked through a field or even a patch of grass where this rhizomatous perennial weed grows, you will understand why it's called "Bindweed." Convolvulus arvensis is related to Morning Glories and as such, is a twining, tough vine which is resistant to breakage when one is trying to free one's ankle from its snare. Although it has a flower smaller than that of Morning Glory, it is similar in shape and may or may not be striped with pink. It is quite difficult to eradicate once established as I can testify; it still crops up occasionally in my yard and in the Barren Wasteland where I believe it was introduced in a package of commercially-marketed "wildflowers for Pacific Northwest gardens." It is certainly not the only weed I've found in those packets. California poppies are a popular addition, and they are becoming an issue in some areas of Washington where they are crowding out native species. As for the Bindweed, it has an extensive root system and is impossible to dig out. The best means of attack is to pull it regularly and often to prevent the plant from being able to photosynthesize.
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