Massachusetts Invasive Plants
Invasive Vines
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Polygonum perfoliatum — Mile-A-Minute

Polygonum perfoliatum — Mile-A-Minute

Polygonum perfoliatum — Mile-A-Minute

Polygonum perfoliatum — Mile-A-Minute

Polygonum perfoliatum — Mile-A-Minute

Polygonum perfoliatum — Mile-A-Minute

Pueraria montana var. lobata — Kudzu

Pueraria montana var. lobata — Kudzu

Pueraria montana var. lobata — Kudzu

Akebia quinata — Chocolate Vine

Akebia quinata — Chocolate Vine

Akebia quinata — Chocolate Vine

Celastrus orbiculata — Oriental Bittersweet

Celastrus orbiculata — Oriental Bittersweet

Celastrus orbiculata — Oriental Bittersweet

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Polygonum perfoliatum
(Mile-A-Minute)
Origin: East Asia

This map is a link to USDA PLANTS Database

This herbaceous vine produces tremendous biomass during a single season and dies over the winter.

Blue Hills Reservation (Fowl Meadow). February 2007

Polygonum perfoliatum
(Mile-A-Minute)
Origin: East Asia

This map is a link to USDA PLANTS Database

It completely covers and thus kills other vegetation around -- including trees and shrubs.

Blue Hills Reservation (Fowl Meadow). October 2006

Polygonum perfoliatum
(Mile-A-Minute)
Origin: East Asia

This map is a link to USDA PLANTS Database

Blue fruit of mile-a-minute are quite unusual among tearthumbs, smartweeds, and knotweeds.

Blue Hills Reservation (Fowl Meadow). October 2006

Polygonum perfoliatum
(Mile-A-Minute)
Origin: East Asia

This map is a link to USDA PLANTS Database

Triangular leaves. Ocreae (modified stipules) are large, perfoliate (pierced by stems).

Blue Hills Reservation (Fowl Meadow). October 2006

Polygonum perfoliatum
(Mile-A-Minute)
Origin: East Asia

This map is a link to USDA PLANTS Database

Upon a herbicide application, all surrounding plants are dead; mile-a-minute has found the herbicides refreshing!

Blue Hills Reservation (Fowl Meadow). June 2009

Polygonum perfoliatum
(Mile-A-Minute)
Origin: East Asia

This map is a link to USDA PLANTS Database

New sprouts regenerating in May from soil seed bank

Blue Hills Reservation (Fowl Meadow). June 2009

Pueraria montana var. lobata
(Kudzu)
Origin: East Asia

This map is a link to USDA PLANTS Database

Apparently someone once planted this aggressive woody vine in this backyard. It is now spreading onto public land. The Hemlock Gorge Reservation is close by.

Needham, August 2009

Pueraria montana var. lobata
(Kudzu)
Origin: East Asia

This map is a link to USDA PLANTS Database

Kudzu is capable of blanketing entire mountain slopes, forests, or meadows, killing all other plants.

Needham, August 2009

Pueraria montana var. lobata
(Kudzu)
Origin: East Asia

This map is a link to USDA PLANTS Database

Kudzu attacking an oak

Needham, August 2009

Akebia quinata
(Chocolate Vine)
Origin: East Asia

This map is a link to USDA PLANTS Database

Chocolate vine! What an attractive ornamental! But beware: it can get out of hand and go wild.

Forbes Woods, Milton, August 2009

Akebia quinata
(Chocolate Vine)
Origin: East Asia

This map is a link to USDA PLANTS Database

Akebia climbing a large tree

Forbes Woods, Milton, August 2009

Akebia quinata
(Chocolate Vine)
Origin: East Asia

This map is a link to USDA PLANTS Database

Large and small bumps on the continuous surface of the vine foliage indicate spots where shrubs and trees used to grow.

Forbes Woods, Milton, August 2009

Celastrus orbiculata
(Oriental Bittersweet)
Origin: East Asia

This map is a link to USDA PLANTS Database

Oriental bittersweet is a mighty woody vine that functions like a boa constrictor. It can break an oak, like a match!

Blue Hills Reservation, Canton. October 2006

Celastrus orbiculata
(Oriental Bittersweet)
Origin: East Asia

This map is a link to USDA PLANTS Database

A mess produced in a forest by Oriental bittersweet

Stony Brook Reservation, Boston. August 2005

Celastrus orbiculata
(Oriental Bittersweet)
Origin: East Asia

This map is a link to USDA PLANTS Database

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Alewife Reservation, Cambridge. April 2008