# Texas bindweed

*Convolvulus equitans*

The species name 'equitans' means 'riding a horse' in Latin, referring to how its deeply lobed leaves resemble stirrups or a rider's saddle.

- **Taxonomy:** Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Solanales › Convolvulaceae › Convolvulus
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** stable
- **Biome:** grassland
- **Habitat:** Dry rocky soils, prairies, pastures, roadsides, and disturbed grassy areas.
- **Diet:** Autotrophic (photosynthesis)
- **Range:** Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma, Colorado, Northern Mexico
- **Size:** Trailing stems extending 1 to 2 meters (3 to 6 feet) in length.
- **Lifespan:** Perennial (5-10+ years via a deep, persistent taproot)
- **Active:** diurnal
- **Threats:** Urban development, heavy herbicide use, and intensive agricultural tillage.
- **Safe to approach?:** Texas bindweed is completely harmless to humans. You can safely touch and observe this plant at any distance. If weeding it from a garden, wearing gloves is recommended simply to avoid skin irritation from dirt or associated insects.

## About

Convolvulus equitans , commonly known as Texas bindweed , is a species of morning glory. It is native to the central and western United States and Mexico.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/ff6ddfc3-b1a7-49b9-b585-3021be9a66f4
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/130184
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convolvulus equitans
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/5431340/medium.jpeg (Sam Kieschnick, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.