Mile-a-minute weed (Polygonum perfoliatum)
Description: Mile-a-minute weed is a herbaceous, trailing vine growing up to 24' in length, in the buckwheat family. Stems are armed with downward pointing barbs, hence sometimes called "tear-thumb."
Life cycle: Summer annual
Habitat: Right-of ways, edges of woods, wetlands, stream banks, roadsides and uncultivated open fields.
Leaf: Alternate, light-green leaves are triangular shaped, up to 3 inches long. A leaf-like sheath encircles the base of the stem.
Stem: Reddish or green in color with downward-pointing spines 1-2 mm long. Long leaf stems (petioles) also have spines.
Flower: Small, white and inconspicuous flower spikes, blooming late July to August.
Fruit: Berry-like, dark blue and segmented, segments contain black seed.
Root: Shallow, fibrous root system.
The problem is...grows very rapidly, blanketing shrubs and other vegetation, blocking tthe light. Heavy seed production, spread by wildlife. It is a threat to forest regeneration and infests recreational and residential areas.
