At the outbreak of the Civil War, bindweed was becoming quite troublesome, though it was still planted occasionally as an ornamental. At this time it also was reported as the worst weed in Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, and Nebraska, and as a serious pest in the Dakotas, Iowa, Idaho, Texas, Utah, Washington, and many other states, especially west of the Mississippi. Its infamous vines grow 0.3 to 1.8 m long and may run along the ground or climb any available object. Bindweed has numerous means of vegetative reproduction. Fragments of vertical roots as small as 5 cm can regenerate new plants.
Most authors consider field bindweed neither a useful food nor a dangerous toxin.
Its seeds impart a disagreeable color and taste to flour if ground with wheat. In the first century Dioscorides recommended drinking tea made from the seeds for 40 d to cure spleen problems, weariness, and hiccups. As a means of control, many writers recommend allowing sheep to graze the foliage. Allan, M. 1978. The Viking Press, New York.