Definition of an invasive plant

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Mile-a-Minute Vine (Persicaria perfoliata L. H)
Plant Information and Description
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Definition of an invasive plant

• Any plant that is both non-native
• and
• causes harm to the environment, animal or human
  health, or the economy

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Mile-a-Minute Origin and Introduction

• Native to East Asia
• First established after found in a nursery in
  Pennsylvania in 1940s
• Possibly transported in rhododendron nursery
  stock

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Taxonomy

• FAMILY Polygonaceae (Knotweed family)
• GENUS Persicaria
• SECTION Echinocaulon
• Persicaria perfoliata L.H
• Syn. Polygonum perfoliatum L
• Syn. Ampelygonum perfoliatum (L.) Roberty
  Vautier
• Mile-a-minute, Mile-a-minute weed, Devils tail,
  Asiatic tear-thumb, Giant climbing tear-thumb
• Ishi-mikawa (Japanese)

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Mile-a-Minute Threats

• Why is MAM Vine Invasive?
• Fast growth (up to 6 inches a day) over
  surrounding vegetation
• forms dense, tangled mats that block
  
• out sunlight
• Decreases biodiversity
• Surrounding vegetation choked because sun
  blocked
• Possible food source loss for animals, birds, and
  insects

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Scandent growth
Picture courtesy of Les Mehrhoff, IPANE
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Mile-a-Minute Threats

• Decreases aesthetics of landscape
• Economic impacts on gardens, nurseries, orchards,
  Christmas tree farms and landscaped areas
• Control costs
• Herbicide application, machine use for mechanical
  control, labor

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Watch me grow.
Picture courtesy of Penn State
Picture courtesy of Les Mehrhoff, IPANE
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and grow.
Picture courtesy of Les Mehrhoff, IPANE
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and GROW!
Picture courtesy of Les Mehrhoff, IPANE
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How does MAM Spread?

• Seed dispersal
• Human activity
• Birds and rodents
• Water rivers and streams
• Self-pollinated species
• Once a single plant is established, that one
  plant can produce 1,000s more

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MAM Habitats

• Roadsides
• Edge of woods
• Railroads
• Utility right-of-ways
• Uncultivated open fields

• Recently harvested forest sites
• Low meadows
• Stream banks

• Preference for direct sun and damp soil

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MAM Description

• Alternate, triangular leaves 1-3 wide
• Ocreas (circular leafy structure) surround stem
• Spherical shiny black seed forms in small
  blueberry like fruits
• Sharp downward curving prickles on stem,
  petioles, main leaf veins
• Vine-like stem

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Look for triangular leaves
Picture courtesy of Les Mehrhoff, IPANE
Picture courtesy of Les Mehrhoff, IPANE
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Look for ocrea-circular leafy structure around
stem
Picture courtesy of Penn State
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Look for blueberry-like fruits (Aug-Sept)
Pictures courtesy of Les Mehrhoff, IPANE
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Look for sharp, downward curving prickles
Picture courtesy of Penn State
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Look for vine-like stem
Picture courtesy http//tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esado
cs/polyperf.html
Picture courtesy of IPC NYS
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What can you do?

• Be on the lookout for Mile-a-Minute Vine and
  report any sightings
• Control Mile-a-Minute on your own property
• Volunteer Participate in Early Detection Rapid
  Response

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Mile-a-Minute Management

• Annual vine - manage the seed bank
• Every successful M-a-M seed crop can add 7 more
  years to your management cycle
• Control efforts should focus on eliminating or
  reducing seed output
• Small infestations are easily pulled
• View program as at least a 5-year plan
• Seeds can begin forming in early June

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Control Hand-Pulling

• Why hand-pull?
• Small ecological impact
• Low cost
• Minimal damage to neighboring plants
• Pulling easy because of shallow root system
• When?
• Plants noticeable in June
• Best before seed sets in early August

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Control Hand-Pulling

• How?
• Slowly
• Remove as much root as possible with minimal soil
  disturbance
• Put pulled MaM in black plastic bags and set in
  sun to cook
• Things needed
• Thick gloves, long sleeves, pants, black plastic
  bags, water

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Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR)

• 4 key actions
• Education and outreach to land managers, decision
  makers, public
• Surveying of land to detect new infestations
• Control of infestations
• Monitoring of control sites

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Early Detection and Rapid Response- Structure

• Regional Coordinators county based, coordinate
  volunteers, verify ID location, outreach, data
  reporting
• Weed Watchers -- Survey given area to look for
  new infestations
• Weed Busters -- Perform control on infestations
  through hand-pulling and bagging of MaM
• Weed Monitors --Monitor controlled sites for
  signs of recurrence
• Volunteers Needed!

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For information on volunteering, questions, to
report an infestation, or ideas on
education/outreach outlets please contactYour
local Coordinator orMeredith Taylormjtaylor_at_gw.d
ec.state.ny.us845-889-4745 ext. 109
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Questions?
Pictures courtesy of Les Mehrhoff, IPANE
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Field Health and Safety
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Be aware of the following while working in the
field.
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Sun and Heat

• Have these items on hand in plenty

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Sun and Heat

• Some other good ideas..

Shade when necessary
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Ticks

• Wear light colored long pants with pants tucked
  into socks

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Ticks

• What to do if you find a tick on you
• Remove with tweezers being careful to dislodge
  the whole tick
• Watch the tick bite area for a rash typically
  round bulls eye
• If you experience fever, chills, fatigue, muscle
  or joint pain, or anything abnormal contact your
  doctor immediately

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Poison Ivy

• Know what it looks like
• Wear protective clothing
• Wash your self and clothing afterwards wash
  thoroughly and repeatedly with soap and water or
  commercial product like Tecnu

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Be prepared

• Tell someone where you will be and your expected
  return time
• Pack
• Extra water
• High energy food
• Rain /wind gear
• First aid kit

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Questions?