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Short-Stalked False Bindweed

Calystegia silvatica (kal-ih-STEE-jee-ah sill-VAT-ih-ka fra-TUR-nih-FLOH-rah)

Family: Convolvulaceae Native Vine (vertical)

Short-stalked false bindweed is a native weedy vine native to the eastern USA including NC in the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae). iI has been introduced to other areas of the USA and has escaped cultivation. It can be found in various locations including forest edges, fields, yards and other disturbed sites. Grow this plant in full sun to partial shade in any well-drained moist to dry soil. This vine will grow to 6 feet long and spread by rhizomes and self-seeding. The white flowers occur in pairs in the leaf axils and have overlapping bracts. This differs from the species as its flowers are solitary and larger. The leaves are arrow-shaped. Use this vine on trellises, fences, or archways, or vining down a rock wall. It will spread rather aggressively so provide plenty of space. Useful in naturalized settings or for screening. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. More information on Calystegia silvatica .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 54 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 6 - Vine (vertical)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Often confused with Calystegia sepium

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial; Native Plant; Vine
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Climbing; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Cordate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Green leaves are arrow-shaped with short appressed hairs and 1-2 inches long with smooth margins
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Trumpet
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
White trumpet-shaped flowers occur in pairs. Flowers may have some pale pink coloration. There are 5 sepals and 5 stamens. Flowers during the summer.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
Dry capsule that splits open to release seeds
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Green stems are many-branched, usually smooth or with sparse hairs and exude a white sap if cut.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern and central USA
Distribution
AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VT, WV
Attracts
Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area; Vertical Spaces
Landscape theme
Native Garden; Pollinator Garden
Design feature
Screen/Privacy
Garden tags
#showy flowers #summer flowers #white flowers #NC native #perennial vines #vertical spaces #trellis #NC Native Pollinator Plant #weedy #twining #wall
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Weedy
Propagation
Division; Seed

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.