The leaf is between 1 and 2 inches in length, oblong, with taper tip, and a narrow heart-shaped base; it is folded slightly on the midrib; all the ribs show plainly, the margin is entire, and the surface is roughened by hairs; in color a full green, somewhat lighter underneath, with a pinkish tint along the edge and the midrib. It is set on a short, downy, reddish stem. The arrangement is alternate.
The flower is large; the corolla a beautiful vase shape with a rolling, slightly 5-angled rim, in texture fine and thin, the outside of the throat shining; within the vase, at the bottom, may be seen 5 deep pits; it is of a pure and exquisite white, toned to creamy-green near the calyx; the 5 stamens are cream colored while the 2-tipped pistil is white. The greenish calyx is 5-parted with small pointed divisions which are almost concealed by the 2 longer, pale green bracts that clasp together closely about its throat. The flower is set on a rather large, flat, downy, pale stem which rises from the angle of a leaf. The plant bears but few flowers.
Far less common than the Bindweed this flower must be reckoned a treasure-trove by its finder. Its texture is so thin that the calyx-color glows within the throat of the vase with a golden green effulgence.
UPRIGHT CONVOLVULUS: Convolvulus spithamæus.
| Hedge Bindweed. | Convolvulus sepium. |
Blossoming along the roadside and in the meadow in June and July.
This twining leafy vine, climbing over low shrubbery, has a round, smooth, light green stem.
The broad arrow-shaped leaf is from 2 to 3 inches in length, tapering at the tip, and set on a long foot-stem; the surface is smooth, and the color a grayish-green.
The large funnel-shaped flower is about 2 inches broad and from 2 to 3 inches long; the spreading top is obscurely 5-sided, and singularly fine and delicate in texture, and of a pale shell-pink or white color; the stamens and a 2-divided white pistil are visible within the tube; the 5 pale-green parts of the calyx are nearly enfolded by two larger shell-shaped bracts.