Convolvulus soldanella

Botanical name: Convolvulus soldanella
Synonyms: Calystegia soldanella
Common name(s): Shore Bindweed, Shore Convolvulus, Rauparaha, Sea Bindweed, Sea Bells, Beach Morning Glory

About:
A creeping coastal bindweed with glossy kidney-shaped leaves and attractive pink-striped flowers. This hardy indigenous species forms dense mats across dunes and sandy shorelines and is one of the few bindweeds naturally adapted to exposed coastal habitats.

Natural habitat:
Coastal dunes, sandy beaches, shell banks, lake margins and coastal turf throughout New Zealand and other temperate regions worldwide.

Growing environment:
Thrives in sunny exposed coastal environments with sandy, gravelly or free-draining soils. Highly tolerant of wind, salt spray and drought once established.

Endemic distribution:
Indigenous throughout New Zealand including the Kermadec, Three Kings, North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands. Also naturally distributed across temperate regions of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Height:
Usually under 150 mm tall

Width:
Spreading extensively by trailing stems and underground roots

Flowering:
August – March

Fruiting:
Present throughout the year

Uses:

• Coastal dune stabilisation
• Coastal revegetation
• Ground cover for sandy soils
• Bach and coastal gardens
• Native coastal landscaping
• Erosion control plantings

Appearance:
Growth habit:
Prostrate perennial herb with numerous branching creeping stems forming dense mats across sand and coastal ground.

Foliage:
Leaves fleshy, glossy and kidney-shaped with smooth margins and shallow rounded sinuses. Foliage bright green and hairless.

Flowers:
Solitary funnel-shaped flowers borne on long stalks, pink with white radiating bands and a soft campanulate form resembling small morning glories.

Flower colours:
Red/Pink, White

Fruit:
Broad ovoid capsules containing smooth dark brown seeds.

Ecology:
An important native coastal stabilising species helping bind loose dune systems and sandy shorelines. Seeds are dispersed by water and possibly wind. Frequently forms extensive colonies in exposed coastal habitats.

Associated habitats:
Common on coastal dunes, sandy beaches, shell banks, estuarine margins and exposed coastal turf.

How to grow:
Easy to cultivate in sunny coastal situations with free-draining soils. Extremely tolerant of salt spray, wind and drought. Once established it spreads vigorously and can be difficult to remove.

Propagation:
Very easy from fresh seed, rooted stem fragments or division of established plants.

Cultural use:

• Māori traditionally gathered the thick fleshy roots
• Roots were pounded into a pulp and used as a relish to flavour meats

Garden value:
An excellent hardy native ground cover for exposed coastal gardens, dunes, rock walls and sandy banks. Its glossy foliage and pink-striped flowers provide year-round interest while tolerating harsh coastal conditions that defeat many other species.