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