Redvine

Brunnichia ovata

Alternate names
Eardrops, ladies' eardrops

Weed Description
Perennial, shrubby vine that becomes woody with maturity. Found most often along roadsides, riverbanks, and in swamps, however this plant can occur as a weed of many agronomic crops of the southern United States. Occurs from southern Illinois and Missouri east to South Carolina and south to Florida and Texas.

Leaves
Alternate, ovate in outline, 2 to 6 inches long, and have distinct veins.

Stems
Climbing and become woody with age. Stems have tendrils that result in short lateral branches.

Flowers
Occur in panicles at the ends of branches. Flowers are greenish to white in color.

Fruit
A nutlet that occurs within the collective sepals of the flower (a calyx). The calyxs are approximately 1 inch long and white to pink in color.

Roots
Deep-rooted rootstock that serves as the perennating organ.

Identifying Characteristics
Perennial vine with tendrils and leaf and stems that often have a reddish tint. These characteristics help to distinguish redvine from most weeds, however Wild Buckwheat (Polygonum convolvulus), Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), and Hedge Bindweed (Calystegia sepium) are all weeds that may be confused with redvine. Redvine has a deep perennating rootstock unlike wild buckwheat or hedge bindweed. Additionally, the leaves of hedge bindweed are cut off squarely across the top (truncate) unlike those of redvine, field bindweed, or wild buckwheat. The basal lobes of redvine are also much more rounded than those of field bindweed. Lastly, wild buckwheat can be distinguished from either of these weeds due to the ocrea that occurs at the base of the leaf petioles.

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Redvine

Brunnichia ovata