What does it look like?
Great bindweed is a scrambling, twining vine. From October to May it produces white, trumpet-like flowers that are up to 9cm in diameter. The large, arrow-shaped leaves are arranged alternately along the stems and usually die back during winter. It has thick, white roots that can spread out over wide distances.
Great bindweed is common in New Zealand and can be found in gardens, roadsides, waste places, forest edges, and wetlands.
Why is it a problem?
With its extensive root system, greater bindweed spreads easily. It scrambles up and over other plants and outcompetes them by smothering. Mostly spreads via vegetation movement due to its ability to grow from fragments, thus care must be taken to dispose of all root material when carrying out control.
Control methods
Physical control
Hand-pull small plants any time of the year, ensuring all stem and root fragments are dug out. Dispose of roots at a refuse transfer station and leave the tops of the vines to rot away on site.
Herbicide control
- Cut and stump-treat larger stems (within 10 minutes of cutting) with 100ml glyphosate (360g/l e.g. Round-up®) or 1g metsulfuron-methyl (600g/kg e.g. Escort®) per 1 litre water; Or
- Spray with 60ml triclopyr (300g/l e.g. Grazon®) + 10ml penetrant per 10 litres water or 120ml Banvine® + 10ml penetrant per 10 litres water.
- CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide, PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.
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