| Profile: |
| Convolvulus arvensis is a species of the Convulvulaceae family and is native to Europe and Asia. It is a climbing or creeping herbaceous perennial plant that supports itself by twining around any support it can find, often strangling other plants in the vicinity. It has distinctive arrow-shaped leaves and broad funnel-shaped pink or purple flowers. Although its flowers are attractive, it is often considered a weed due to its rapid growth and choking of cultivated plants. The plant prefers basic soil of low to medium fertility. Being a very deep-rooted plant with a vigorous root system that extends to a considerable distance, Convolvulus arvensis is very hard to eradicate from an area in has inhabited. |
| Habitat and ecology: It is a common weed found all over India, ascending to an altitude of 300 m in the Himalayas. It is generally found with cultivated areas, shrubberies and open slopes. The plant grows in sandy and loamy soils and can also grow well in nutrionally poor soil. The plant prefers neutral and basic soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or under no shade conditions. |
| Morphology: It is a slender, spreading or climbing perennial, with distinctive arrow-shaped leaves and funnel-shaped pink or purple flowers with white or pale yellow centres. The flowers are usually solitary, axillary and borne on stalks longer than the leaves. The corolla is 2-2.5 cm wide, the sepals are oval, blunt, notched, unequal and hairless. The leaves are 2-7 cm long, stalked, ovate or lanceolate with two spreading triangular basal lobes giving them a characteristic arrow shape. The stems can grow upto 2 m. |
| Distinguishing features: The plant is distinguished by its arrow shaped leaves and the presence of a branched style with two slender stigmas. |
| Life cycle: Flowering takes place from June-September and the seeds ripen from August-October. |
| Uses: The roots of the plant have urine-inducing and laxative properties and are used to treat intermittent fever in children and gastric and duodenal ulcers. A resin made from the root, has cholagogue, diuretic, laxative and purgative properties. The juice extracted from the leaves is considered to increase brain power and is used for chronic bronchitis and asthma. The flowers help in controlling uterine bleeding. A tea made from the flowers is a laxative and is also used in the treatment of fever and wounds. A cold tea made from the leaves is used as a wash for spider bites. A green dye is prepared from the whole plant. The plant is used as flavouring in a liqueur called 'Noyeau'. |
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| Family: Convulvulaceae |
| Common/local name: Sankhpushpi, Hiranpadi, Hiranpag, Gondal, Bhadrabala, Hirranpaddi Sankh Pushpi, Field Bindweed, European Bindweed, Lesser Bindweed, Creeping Jenny, Possesion Vine |
| Trade name: Hiranpaddi |
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| File Size:195.2626953125kb |
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