To The Editor:

I was surprised and concerned when on two separate occasions I found a single stem of mile-a-minute vine (Polygonum perfoliatum ) growing in my yard this summer. Mile-a-minute grows rapidly, producing vines which grow over herbaceous and woody plants and even up into trees. These tangled vines block sunlight and eventually kill the covered plants. It is dispersed long distances by birds, which was probably how it got to my yard, as I live less than mile from a heavily infected area.

It is important that people learn to identify this plant, which is on Connecticut’s list of Invasive Species. The leaves are shaped like an equilateral triangle and have a distinctive light green color. A small cup-shaped structure appears at the stem nodes. The vine produces flowers and later fruits, attractive green, then blue berries. It is best to remove plants before they produce berries (seeds) because seeds which fall into the soil will remain viable for many years and will produce new plants.

If you should find this plant, please pull it up and dispose of it properly. Vines are easily pulled out, although it is best to wear gloves as this plant has small barbs along the stems. Pulled vines should never be put in compost or in a disposal area for yard debris. The best way to dispose of it is to seal it in a plastic bag and then into the garbage for ultimate disposal (incineration).

Significant infestations of mile-a-minute should be reported to the state tracking system at cipwg.uconn.edu/report/mam.

For further questions about mile-a-minute in Connecticut, e-mail info@cipwg.org.

Mary Gaudet-Wilson

12 Whippoorwill Hill Road, Newtown July 27, 2020

Editor’s Note: Mary Gaudet-Wilson is a member of the local Protect Our Pollinators environmental group.