The European bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.), known also as Creeping Jennie and field bindweed, probably is present in every county in Iowa, although it is more prevalent in the northwestern part of the state. It is not uncommon to find tracts of 100 acres or more. Where a small grain field is heavily infested, the grain becomes lodged so that it is extremely difficult to cut with a grain binder, and the bundles do not dry readily. At times throughout the years 1930-1941, bindweed caused a complete failure of corn (fig. 1), grain and garden crops on certain tracts.

In the states where European bindweed is most troublesome today, the weed was not serious up to the beginning of the twentieth century.

This bulletin reports information obtained during the past 10 years from the experimental work on eradication of European bindweed at Hawarden and Cherokee, Iowa. The recommendations submitted are particularly applicable to Iowa.