Prior names
Convolvulus sp. A
Common names
Small-flower Bindweed
Etymology
Convolvulus the Latin name of some bindweed, from 'convolvere' meaning to roll together or entwine. Microsepalus from Greek meaning small sepals; referring to the species small flowers.
Distribution and status
Found in the eastern part of South Australia with a few collections from the Eyre Peninsula, growing on gravelly clay loam or loamy soils on open plains in chenopod shrubland. Also found in New South Wales. Previously recorded from Victoria but now presumed extinct. Native. Uncommon in South Australia. Rare in New South Wales. Presumed extinct in Victoria.
Herbarium regions: Lake Eyre, Gairdner-Torrens, Flinders Ranges, Eastern, Eyre Peninsula, Northern Lofty, Murray, Yorke Peninsula, Southern Lofty, Green Adelaide
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Herb with trailing and twining stems. Leaves linear to oblong, sometimes triangular, to 45 mm long and 20 mm wide, acute to rounded truncate, base hastate or sagittate, lobes entire, 2-toothed to slightly lobed, terminal lobe entire, sparsely to moderately densely hairy with appressed hairs. Flowers solitary, funnel-shaped, white or pink, with a creamish-green throat. Flowering between August and March. Fruits are brown globular capsule to 7 mm diameter. Seeds are dark brown secteroid seed to 4 mm long, surface deep rugose with scattered hairs. Seed embryo type is folded.
Seed collection and propagation
Collect seeds between December and May. Collect capsules that are maturing, turning brown and contain hard seeds inside. Capsules can be opened or unopened and some seed can be collected from the ground under the plant. Place the capsules in a tray and leave to dry for one to two weeks. Then rub the capsules gently by hand or with a rubber bung to dislodge the seeds. Use a sieve to separate the unwanted material. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place. From one collection, the seed viability was high, at 85%. This species has physical dormancy that needs to be overcome for the seed to germinate (e.g. nicking the seed coat).
| Location | No. of seeds (weight grams) | Number of plants | Date collected | Collection number Collection location | Date stored | % Viability | Storage temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BGA MSB | 2,700 (25.64 g) 2,500 (23.87 g) | 30 | 18-Jan-2007 | RJB71274B Northern Lofty | 1-Aug-2007 | 85% | -18°C |
Number of plants: This is the number of plants from which the seeds were collected.
Collection location: The Herbarium of South Australia's region name.
% Viability: Percentage of filled healthy seeds determined by a cut test or x-ray.