This drawing shows the twining habit of the top growth and new shoots developing from the horizontal creeping root sytems.

Note the numerous shoots under the soil in the left-hand side of the bottom of the drawing.

Removing the foilage on top of the ground only produces more growing shoots.

The plants are natives to Europe and now naturalised as weeds in most temperate countries.

IDENTIFICATION
This is a low creeping perennial with long stems underground. Many people try to pull or dig these plants up trying to destroy them before the whole garden is choked out. When these underground stems are broken up into pieces they form new plants. The young green shoots first appear above the ground in early spring and stay green throughout the summer months. As soon as the autumn nights become cold the plants begin to die down.
The leaves are spear headed in shape and are borne on runners, of which five or six may spread from one crown.
The flowers come in white or pink and are of a broad funnel shape, 1cm to 2cm across. They are borne singly or in pairs on slender stems in the leaf axils with the slender stems bearing minute bracts two thirds of the way up. The seed capsules are mostly four seeded, of two cells and globular.

ERADICATION OR CONTROL
If the area infested with convolvulus is cultivated every ten days for two complete seasons of the weed's growth there is a good chance that eradication will be successful.
Chemical spraying is the most successful way to eradicate this weed.
Spraying with BINDII & BROADLEAF WEED KILLER or Banweed plus will control Field Bindweed. Do not spray if rain is expected within 24 hours of chemical application.
The chemical travels through the system of the plant so care must be taken to insure that any of the spray does not come in contact with any trees or shrubs. This type of spray is very poisonous to fruit trees, garden plants and vines. Spraying on a hot day may result in the spray vapourising and drifting onto the foliage of trees and shrubs in the surrounding area. The same applies on a windy day.

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PASPALUM

This weed can be found in the garden and in the lawn, but treatment is not the same
IDENTIFICATION
Paspalum is a tufted perennial grass that generally can grow up to 150 cm tall. Nevertheless, in mown situations, the plant will grow prostrate with only the flowering heads being produced just above mowing height. For more information click here

ERADICATION OR CONTROL
Paspalum can be controlled before they germinate with the use of:-"DACTHAL"
A PRE-EMERGENCE HERBICIDE.
GARDEN WEEDS
Cultivation is practical if it breaks up the paspalum clumps and leaves the small fragments to dehydrate on the soil surface.
Mowing and slashing eliminates flowering heads butit will not provide control of established plants. Seed may be spread by mowing and slashing implements.
Hygiene exercise comprising of complete cleaning of machinery and footwear after working in Paspalum infested areas is critical to minimise dispersing of seed.
LAWNS
In turf and garden areas, paspalum can provide a strong competition with lawn plants for water and soil nutrients.
Paspalum plants can be removed by hand with a small sharp knife from the lawn turf, but be sure to remove all of the crown to prevent the regrowth where plants are well established. In turf, the affected areas will need to be resown with the same species of lawn seed after the removal of the Paspalum.
Hygiene exercise comprising of complete cleaning of machinery and footwear after working in Paspalum infested areas is critical to minimise dispersing of seed.
In turf, spot applications, wiping on with a cotton bud, or painting with a small paint brush of Glyphosate 450 solution onto the crowns of the Paspalum plants. The areas will need oversowing with the same turf species after the paspalum plants have been eradicated.
Plants should be treated during the period of active growth, late spring to early Autumn. A repeat application may be required for well established plants. Glyphosate will severely damage most plants so care is needed where it is used when controlling paspalum near desirable plants.
Some herbicides are toxic to bees so avoid applying herbicides when and where bees are foraging.
Always read the label first before using.

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