Download Mile-a-Minute Weed

CORNELL
COOPERATIVE
EXTENSION OF
ONEIDA COUNTY
121 Second Street Oriskany, NY 13424-9799
(315) 736-3394 or (315) 337-2531 FAX: (315) 736-2580
Mile-A-Minute Vine
Prepared by John Condzella and Leslie A. Weston, Landscape Weed Management Team
The first successful population of Mile a Minute Vine
(Polygonum perfoliatum L) was noted in the 1930s at a nursery
site in York, Pennsylvania. It is speculated that the seed
was spread with Rhododendron stock which originated from
Asia and is native to India and the far east. Mile a Minute
Vine, a member of the Buckwheat family, is also known
as Devil’s tail tearthumb or the “Kudzu of the north.” This annual plant reproduces profusely by producing lots of small
blue berries containing seeds that are dispersed by birds and
small mammals.
Description: A spiny summer annual vine growing to 7m in
length. Mile-a-Minute vine is easily recognized by its small perfectly triangular leaves and the cup-like, leafy structure (ocrea)
from which the leaves and small white flowers emerge. It can
climb over shrubs, small trees, and structures, forming dense
mats. The mature Mile-a-minute vine has stems that are
branched, green vines, redbrown toward the base, with reflexed prickles (1-2mm long). Petioles have recurved spines
and are slightly longer than the blade. Flowers are formed as
early as June, but typically from late July through August, at
the end of branches. Individual flowers are inconspicuous
and greenish white to yellow (3-5mm long).
Photo from Plant Conservation Alliance Alien Fact
Sheet
Photo courtesy New England
Invasive Plant Atlas
Reproduction: Mile-a-minute weed is primarily a self-pollinating
plant due to its inconspicuous, closed flowers and lack of a detectable scent, with rare out crossing. Fruits and viable seeds are produced without support from pollinators. Vegetative propagation from roots
has not been successful for this plant. It is a very tender annual, withering
with a slight frost, and reproduces successfully
until the first frost. Mile-a-minute is a productive seeder, producing scores
of seeds on a single plant over a lengthy season, from June until October
in Virginia, and a slightly shorter season in more northern geographic areas. Birds are most likely the principal long-distance dispersal agents
of mile-a-minute vine. Transport of seeds short distances by native ant
species has been observed. Mile-a-minute vine seeds can be buoyant for
7-9 days, thus making water an important mode of dispersal.
Photo courtesy New England
Invasive Plant Atlas
Helping You Put Knowledge to Work
Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities. NYS College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NYS College of Human Ecology, and
NYS College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, Cooperative Extension associations, county governing bodies, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating.
Habitat/distribution: Mile-a-minute is a weed of landscapes, nursery crops, Christmas tree plantations
and orchards, as well as clear-cut timberlands, roadsides, drainage ditches, wetlands and rights-ofway. It thrives on moist, well-drained soils and full sunlight, but can tolerate low light conditions for
part of the day. The ability of mile-a-minute to attach to other plants with its recurved barbs and climb
over the plants to reach an area of high light intensity is a key to its survival. Essentially, it can kill other
plants by its rapid growth, which results in smothering the supporting plant and reduction in photosynthesis. Mile-a-minute weed is currently found in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware,
West Virginia, Washington, D.C and Virginia . These states and the District of Columbia comprise
about 20 percent of the estimated possible range for this species. It is more prevalent in New York
State in recent years.
Control methods: Manual and chemical methods are effective for controlling mile-a-minute.
Seedlings and vines are easy to pull by hand as long as gloves and sturdy clothing are worn. However,
pulling vines with mature fruits should be avoided as it may help spread seeds. Contact and systemic
herbicides are both effective in controlling it. Because the foliage has a waxy covering, the herbicide
must be mixed with surfactant to help it adhere to the plant. Glyphosate can be applied successfully for
control, as well as triclopyr. Both of these herbicides will injure susceptible broadleaf plants the vine
may be attached to, so caution must be taken when making an application. Spot treatments are
most likely to be effective and will minimize injury to other native or ornamental species.
References:
Weeds of the Northeast, R. Uva, J. Neal and J. DiTomaso. Cornell University Press.
http://massnrc.org/pests/pestFAQsheets/mileaminute.html (Massachusets
Introduced Outreach Pest Project website)
Plant Conservation Alliance Alien Plants Fact Sheet at:
http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/pope1.htm
This publication may contain pesticide recommendations. Changes in pesticide regulations occur constantly, some materials mentioned
may no longer be available, and some uses may no longer be legal. All pesticides distributed, sold, and/or applied in New York State
must be registered with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Questions concerning the legality and/
or registration status for pesticide use in New York State should be directed to the appropriate Cornell Cooperative Extension Specialist
or your regional DEC office. READ THE LABEL BEFORE APPLYING ANY PESTICIDE.
DISCLAIMER: Please note that neither Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County nor any representative thereof makes any
representation of any warranty, express or implied, of any particular result or application of the information provided by us or regarding any product. If a product is involved, it is the sole responsibility of the User to read and follow all product labeling instructions and
to check with the manufacturer or supplier for the most recent information. Nothing contained in this information should be interpreted
as an express or implied endorsement of any particular product or criticism of unnamed products. With respect to any information on
pest management, the User is responsible for obtaining the most up-to-date pest management information. The information we provide
is no substitute for pesticide labeling. The User is solely responsible for reading and following the manufacturer’s labeling and instructions. (October 2009)
Updated 2012 lsk13