Field bindweed - aka almond grass, bitterness, toffee, bindweed and birch bark. It is a weed, but a very beautiful plant, with a thin stem and flowers in the form of a funnel or bell.
And thanks to the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, it got the name "Our Lady's Cups", according to the legend of the same name, which says that the driver, not having a drinking container with him, nevertheless managed to give the Mother of God a drink using the opened buds of bindweed.
Botanical description
Almond grass is a perennial herb with a creeping stem that may be hairy or completely bare. The length of the stem can reach 1.2 meters.
The leaves are triangular in shape, with long petioles. The flowers of the plant on a relatively thin stem seem very large, there can be up to 3 flowers on one peduncle, but, as a rule, one at a time. Bud color: white, blue, purple or pink. Flowering occurs throughout the warm season, from April until the onset of cold weather.
Formula of field bindweed flower - CH5L(5)T5P(2).
Vunchik has a powerful root system, which very often becomes a problem forgardeners, as it is very difficult to get rid of it. The average root length is 3 meters, sometimes reaching 6.
Reproduction
Reproduction of the field bindweed plant occurs by root offspring and seed method. One plant can produce up to 600 seeds. Beresten prefers loamy and sandy soils, although it can grow in almost any conditions. Flowering begins only in the 2nd year of life.
Due to the fact that almond grass reproduces in all possible ways, it surpasses almost all root shoot weeds. In addition, the plant is a carrier of pests, especially the winter worm, which is the first enemy of winter crops.
Growth area
Because of its unpretentiousness, the plant is found in almost the entire south of Russia and the former countries of the USSR, starting from the 60th parallel. Bindweed does not grow in the north.
Found on almost all continents, in Asia, America and Africa.
Weed benefits
Despite the fact that toffee is a weed, the plant prevents mold. Cultures that grow nearby are less likely to suffer from fungal diseases. And bark stems can be used as mulch, which in a sense will even have a disinfecting effect and keep the soil moist.
Control measures, description
Field bindweed is an insensitive weed that is very difficult to get rid of. All activities are basically reduced to the depletion of the plant, bypermanent cutting of underground parts. However, this technique can only be used on a small area, because if even a small piece of the root remains, everything will start over.
Biological methods include sowing green manure, that is, planting plants that will improve soil quality and suppress weeds.
Of course, you can use systemic post-emergence herbicides, for example, "Formula". Bindweed field has little sensitivity to this drug, even in comparison with ragweed and knotweed. Therefore, it is wise to use herbicides in cases where the problem is not only with toffee.
You can plant oatmeal or other perennial meadow plants. The main thing is that they have a powerful root system and a dense aerial part.
Benefit
Despite the dislike of gardeners towards almond grass, the plant has medicinal properties. Use it as:
- diuretic;
- painkiller;
- anti-febrile;
- laxative.
Field bindweed will help with enterocolitis and gastritis.
The easiest recipe when fresh grass is infused with 70% alcohol. Then used as a diuretic and laxative, taking 1 teaspoon daily.
Vitamin composition of the plant
Field bindweed is rich in vitamins:
| Name | Benefit |
| A | Promotes vision and helpsimprove the mucous membranes and skin |
| С | Helps to strengthen immune forces, get rid of wrinkles and acts as a prophylactic against vascular and heart diseases |
| E |
An antioxidant that allows the human body to cope with the adverse effects of the environment |
The plant contains convolvulin glucoside, which gives a laxative effect. Also birch bark contains cardiac glycosides and psychotropic alkaloids.
Contraindications
Despite the presence of vitamins, some authors on traditional medicine claim that the plant is poisonous, especially if it is used fresh. Therefore, any treatment with toffee should be carried out under the supervision of a physician.
In no case should pregnant and lactating women consume almond grass. The plant is not recommended for use by children under 12 years of age. Naturally, it is necessary to refuse such treatment if there is an individual intolerance to the plant.
Preparation for medicinal purposes
All parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes. Field bindweed is collected along with the procedure for weeding crops. It is necessary to dry the plant in a dry and dark place, which should be well ventilated. If possible, raw materials can be dried in special apparatus for this purpose, at a temperature of 45 degrees. Stems and flowers, leaves are harvested from Juneto August, and the roots - in autumn or early spring.
As part of the landscaping
Almond grass is widely used in the design of gardens and balconies. Often bindweed is planted near fences to create a hedge, especially since the plant grows very quickly, and blooms already in the 1-2nd year of life. In this case, the young tendrils of the plant are guided along the surface that the stem of the plant should wrap around.
Decorative views
On the territory of our state, two varieties are most often used for decorating balconies and planting in the garden:
| Name | Color | Short description |
| Tricolor, or small | A blue or purple flower with a white center. There are dark blue, crimson. | Semi-shrub plant, the shoots of which reach a length of 50 cm. It has no petioles, and the leaves are slightly pointed. Flowering occurs throughout the summer season. |
| Moorish, or Sabatian | Blue-violet and lilac | It has grayish-greenish leaves, it is used mainly in the creation of ampelous flower beds. |
The field bindweed determines how soon the weather will be, if it "ripens" the rain, then the flowers of the plant close, and the open ones - by a sunny day.
