Big white trumpets

[treecreeper]

On holiday in South Wales, one thing that struck me was the profusion of native hedge bindweed Calystegia sepium. I'd almost forgotten what it looked like because all I see up here is the invader Calystegia sylvatica. The photo (of C. sylvatica) helps to explain why. It has effortlessly spread itself across a large area of bare limestone and has almost overwhelmed the young sycamore on the right. C. sepium is nowhere near as vigorous and presumably loses out in the competition. Too shy and retiring for its own good.

[pleb]

I tend to find that down here in Devon there is plenty of Calystegia sepium in rural situations whilst in the towns it is C. silvatica that is the more common. Have you tried identifying them by their leaves? Bit tricky and not reliable I find.

Cheers,

Phil

[Hedera]

The flower bracts are longer on sylvatica up to an inch.

[treecreeper]

Originally Posted by pleb

I tend to find that down here in Devon there is plenty of Calystegia sepium in rural situations whilst in the towns it is C. silvatica that is the more common. Have you tried identifying them by their leaves? Bit tricky and not reliable I find.

Cheers,

Phil

I never get the chance to try this because it's always C. Sylvatica!