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Mile-a-minute vine (Polygonum perfoliatum)
A rapid growing herbaceous annual vine that can grow to be 20’ tall with support from nearby vegetation. It has delicate reddish stems that are covered with barbs.
Overview
Mile-a-minute vine is Prohibited (Red counties)
Other names for this plant include:
- Common names: Asiatic tearthumb, devil's tail tearthumb
- Scientific names: Persicaria perfoliata; Ampelygonum perfoliatum
Ecological threat:
- Prefers moist areas and invades woodland edges, wetlands, and stream banks where the buoyant seeds can disperse easily.
- Smothers native plants by growing up to 6” in one day.
Classification in Wisconsin: Prohibited
Species Assessment Groups (SAG) were assembled to recommend a legal classification for each species considered for NR 40. The recommendation for mile-a-minute vine was based upon this literature review developed by the department.
Identification
Leaves: An equilateral triangle, 3 sides that are all the same length. They are simple, alternate, and light green. It has barbs on the underside and there are circular, cup-shaped leaves at intervals on the stem.
Flowers: Appear in saucer-shaped leaves, are white, inconspicuous, and closed.
Fruits & seeds: Segmented pea-sized berries are metallic blue with each segment containing one seed. Spread by water, birds, ants, and other animals.
Roots: Fibrous.
Similar species: Native tearthumbs are distinguished easily from mile-a-minute vine’s fruit that look like berries and triangle shaped leaves that are equal on all sides.
Distribution
Counties in WI where mile-a-minute vine has been reported (as of July 2011). Both vouchered and unvouchered reports included.
Currently, there have not been reports of mile-a-minute vine in WI. Have you seen it? Send us a report.
Control
Mechanical: Pull populations and let dehydrate in sun for several days. Repeated mowing or cutting will prevent flowering and seed production. WEAR THICK GLOVES!
Chemical: Glyphosate and clopyralid can be used for foliar sprays.
Photos
View mile-a-minute vine pictures in our photo gallery!
Resources
Sources for content:
- Czarapata, Elizabeth; Invasive Plants of the Upper Midwest: an illustrated guide to their identification and control. University of Wisconsin Press. 2005. Pg. 130
Links for More Information
