The following list has been compiled as a comprehensive guide to the most common plants mistaken for Japanese Knotweed.
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Mile-a-minute weed (Persicaria perfoliata) is an invasive annual vine that can quickly take over gardens and yards in the eastern United States. With its triangular leaves, recurved barbs on the stems, and extremely rapid growth rate, mile-a-minute weed can be a nightmare for property owners. However, before you panic about finding this aggressive vine, make sure you properly identify it. There are several other common vines and plants that look similar at first glance.
In this article, we will cover 8 plants commonly mistaken for mile-a-minute weed, point out the key differences, and provide tips for controlling real mile-a-minute infestations. With the right knowledge, you can avoid misidentification and deal appropriately with any potential invasive species on your land.
What Does Mile-a-Minute Weed Look Like?
Let’s first go over the defining features of mile-a-minute weed so you know what to look for:
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Triangular, arrowhead-shaped leaves with 3 main lobes. The base forms a flat side against the stem.
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Prominent papery sheath (ocrea) wrapping the stem at the base of each leaf stalk
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Small curved barbs lining the stems and undersides of leaves These help the vine climb
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Very rapid growth upwards of 6 inches per day. Quickly blankets over other plants.
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Inconspicuous whitish flowers leading to clusters of blue berries Each berry contains one black seed
8 Mile-a-Minute Weed Lookalikes
Now let’s discuss 8 plants commonly mistaken for mile-a-minute weed and how to tell them apart:
1. Oriental Bittersweet
Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) is an invasive vine from Asia. Its rounded, elliptical leaves look similar to mile-a-minute weed when young. But Oriental bittersweet lacks the ocrea sheaths and recurved barbs of mile-a-minute. Manage it by cutting vines near the base and monitoring for regrowth.
2. Field Bindweed
Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) has arrowhead-shaped leaves that may resemble mile-a-minute. However, its stems lack barbs and ocrea. It grows much slower and produces white or pink funnel-shaped flowers. Persistent hacking of roots and stems can control field bindweed.
3. Hedge Bindweed
Hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium) has triangular arrowhead leaves that look similar to mile-a-minute. However, it lacks barbs on the stems and ocrea at leaf nodes. It produces large white morning glory-like flowers. Regular manual removal and maintenance of competitive plantings can suppress excessive growth.
4. Halberd-Leaved Tearthumb
Halberd-leaved tearthumb (Persicaria arifolia) is a related native vine with leaves shaped like arrowheads or halberds. But tearthumb has smoother leaf edges and lacks ocrea and stem barbs. Manual removal is recommended for control.
5. Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb
Arrow-leaved tearthumb (Persicaria sagittata) is another native species with triangular, arrow-shaped leaves. But it has tiny bristles rather than large recurved barbs on the stems. It also lacks ocrea. Monitor and manually remove if it becomes too aggressive.
6. Wild Morning Glory
Wild morning glory vines like Ipomoea purpurea have heart-shaped or lobed leaves, rather than the classic mile-a-minute triangular shape. Their stems lack barbs and twine using twisting petioles. Remove seedlings early in the season to control their spread.
7. Swallow-Worts
Swallow-wort vines like pale swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum pusillum) and black swallow-wort (V. nigrum) have oval, shiny leaves. Their stems may be rough but lack true barbs. Manage swallow-worts promptly when found since they can dominate habitats.
8. Grape Vines
Grape vines (Vitis spp.) sometimes resemble mile-a-minute superficially, but their leaves are lobed and heart-shaped rather than triangular. Grape vines also lack stem barbs and ocrea. Simply trim back where unwanted, as grapes rarely become seriously invasive.
How to Control Mile-a-Minute Weed
If you confirm mile-a-minute weed on your property, taking quick action is key before it spreads widely! Manual removal, repeated mowing/cutting, cautious herbicide use, and biological control agents like the mile-a-minute weevil can all help reduce infestations. Combining multiple control tactics usually works better than a single approach. But always properly identify the weed first, since many beneficial native vines resemble mile-a-minute at a glance. With persistence and adaptive management, you can beat back mile-a-minute weed!
Mile-a-minute weed continues to spread in the eastern United States, causing major concern. Make sure you can accurately identify this rapidly growing invader versus common lookalike plants. A bit of knowledge goes a long way in avoiding misidentification and unnecessary alarm over mile-a-minute weed. If you remain observant and utilize integrated control measures, you can minimize impacts from real mile-a-minute infestations. With care and diligence, both agricultural fields and natural landscapes can persevere despite threats from this wily annual vine.
Russian Vine (Fallopia baldschuanica)
Russian vine on fence
Dense Russian vine growth Similarities
- Russian vine (or Bukhara fleeceflower) is in the same genus (Fallopia) as knotweed (although it is a separate genus if knotweed is considered to be within the genus Reynoutria). As such, pollen from Russian vine commonly pollinates the female flowers of Japanese knotweed. However, the resulting seed almost never produces viable plants (which would be Fallopia x conollyana, or x Reyllopia conollyana – the “x” denoting an interspecific or intergeneric hybrid, respectively).
- Being closely related, the leaves and flowers of Russian vine appear quite similar to those of knotweed.
- It is incredibly fast growing and invasive – its common name is ‘mile-a-minute’!
Differences
- Russian vine is a climbing plant that relies on the erect stems of other plants or solid structures to twist around and grow upon. As such, it is very commonly used as a screening plant or to quickly provide cover over fences and other structures.
Lesser knotweed (Persicaria campanulata)
- Lesser knotweed is another relatively common ornamental Persicaria species that is closely related to Himalayan knotweed (Persicaria wallichii). As such it is often mistaken for this species or for Japanese knotweed.
- As with other knotweed species, lesser knotweed has the same, bamboo-like, hollow stems with alternately arranged leaves.
Differences
- Leaves are long, thin and ovate (i.e. an elongated ellipse-shape) with clearly marked parallel veins, unlike Japanese knotweed.
- Lesser knotweed is shorter than Japanese knotweed, growing approximately 1.5m tall.
- Individual flowers are much bigger than those of Japanese knotweed and are clearly bell-shaped. They range in colour from pale to bright pink.
What does my 5 min/mile pace look like?
FAQ
Is mile-a-minute Japanese knotweed?
The name ‘Mile-a-Minute’ might give you some idea of how quickly this vine-like perennial grows, quickly swamping most other plants in the area. It’s closely related to Japanese knotweed – these two can actually create hybrids – yet it doesn’t have the same fearsome reputation.
What kills mile-a-minute vines?
Controls for Mile-a-minute
Such methods are more effective during early stages of plant growth before it begins to vine excessively. Selective herbicides containing triclopyr (Turflon, Garlon, Remedy) or 2,4-D + triclopyr (Crossbow) provide effective control of this weed.
What is the proper name for mile-a-minute?
Scientific Name. Persicaria perfoliata (L.) H. Gross (formerly known as Polygonum perfoliatum L.) ( Mile-a-minute weed or vine, Asiastic tearthumb.
Why is mile-a-minute invasive?
… and vines can produce up to 3,500 seeds per year. Fruits are eaten by birds, deer and small mammals which can spread seeds miles away from the original plant
What is a mile-a-minute vine?
A mile-a-minute vine is easily identified by its triangular leaves, distinctive prickles or barbs, and large, obvious ocrea. These traits distinguish mile-a-minute vines from other vining plants.
What are the stems of mile-a-minute like?
Mile-a-minute (Persicaria perfoliata) is a trailing vine with barbed stems and triangular leaves. It is an invasive vine and noxious weed in PA.
Is mile-a-minute invasive?
Mile-a-minute (Persicaria perfoliata) is an invasive plant. It is a trailing vine with barbed stems and triangular leaves, and is an herbaceous annual, meaning it dies each fall and new plants grow from germinating seeds in the spring.
Where does mile-a-minute prefer to grow?
Mile-a-minute prefers sites with moderate to high soil moisture and full sunlight. As such, it is a rapid colonizer of forest edges, wetlands, roadsides, and streambanks. Mile-a-minute seed can remain viable for at least six years, making eradication difficult.
What time of year does mile-a-minute die?
Mile-a-minute is an herbaceous annual, meaning it dies each fall and new plants grow from germinating seeds in the spring.
Is mile-a-minute an invasive vine?
Unlike other invasive vines, mile-a-minute is an herbaceous annual. It dies each fall and new plants grow from germinating seeds in the spring. Originally from India and East Asia, this species was first reported in York County, Pennsylvania, in the 1930s in contaminated nursery soil.