invasive mile a minute vine and ripening blue berries

Mile-a-minute vine (Persicaria perfoliata). Photo: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Updated: February 22, 2023

About mile-a-minute vine (Polygonum perfoliata)

Life Cycle

Mile-a-minute vine, also called devil's tear-thumb, is a summer annual herbaceous vine that can climb over vegetation, smothering plants forming dense mats

Growth habit

Thrives in full sun but can tolerate shade. Shallow fibrous root system. Leaves are light-green, alternate, and triangular to heart-shaped at the base. Stems are armed with recurved barbs which are also present on the underside of the leaf blades. Blue/black berries

infestation of Mile-a-minute vine
Photo: Richard Gardner, Bugwood.org

Reproduction

Primarily a self-pollinating plant. A prolific seed producer. Seeds are typically spread by birds

fruit of mile-a-minute vine
Photo: Leslie Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Cultural control

Pull seedlings and young vines early in the summer, do not let the plant go to seed

Additional resources

Invasive Vine and Groundcover Control

Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas

(PDF) Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas

Mile-a-Minute | Penn State Extension

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