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FACT SHEET: MILE-A-MINUTE WEED

Mile-A-Minute Weed 

Persicaria perfoliata L. 

Buckwheat family (Polygonaceae) 

NATIVE RANGE 

India to Eastern Asia, China and the Islands from Japan to the Philippines, 

including Nepal, Burma, Manchuria, China, Korea, Taiwan and the Malay 

Peninsula 

DESCRIPTION 

Mile-a-minute weed, or Asiatic tearthumb, is an herbaceous, annual, trailing 

vine. Stems are armed with recurved barbs which are also present on the 

underside of the leaf blades. The light green colored leaves are shaped like an 

equilateral (equal-sided) triangle and alternate along the narrow, delicate 

stems. Distinctive circular, cup-shaped leafy structures, called ocreae, 

surround the stem at nodes, thus the name ‘perfoliata.’ Flower buds, and later 

flowers and fruits, emerge from within the ocreae. Flowers are small, white and 

generally inconspicuous. The fruits are attractive, deep blue and arranged in clusters at terminals. Each berry-like fruit 

contains a single glossy, black or reddish-black hard seed called an achene. The scientific name was recently changed 

from Polygonum perfoliatum as a result of extensive taxonomic research on the genus. 

ECOLOGICAL THREAT 

Mile-a-minute weed grows rapidly, scrambling over shrubs and other vegetation, blocking the foliage of covered plants 

from available light, and reducing their ability to photosynthesize, which stresses and weakens them. In addition, the 

weight and pressure of the vine causes distortion of stems and branches of covered plants. If left unchecked, reduced 

photosynthesis can kill a plant. Large infestations of mile-a-minute weed eventually reduce native plant species in natural 

areas. Small populations of extremely rare plants may be eliminated entirely. Because it can smother tree seedlings, milea-minute weed has a negative effect on Christmas tree farms, forestry operations on pine plantations and reforestation of 

natural areas. It has the potential to be a problem to nursery and horticulture crops that are not regularly tilled as a 

cultivation practice. 

DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES 

Mile-a-minute has been found in parts of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, 

Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, DC. This area comprises an estimated 20 percent 

of its likely potential range. It is considered to be a temperate species with subtropical tendencies and therefore has the 

potential to invade those portions of the contiguous United States that have the appropriate climate to provide a minimal 

eight week cold vernalization period. A temperature of 10°C or below must be sustained for an eight week period to 

stimulate germination. It has also been reported to be invasive in nine national parks in four mid-Atlantic states. 

HABITAT IN THE UNITED STATES 

Mile-a-minute weed generally colonizes open and disturbed areas, along the edges of woods, wetlands, stream banks, 

and roadsides, and uncultivated open fields, resulting from both natural and human causes. Natural areas such as stream 

banks, parks, open space, road shoulders, forest edges and fence lines are all typical areas to find mile-a-minute. It also 

occurs in environments that are extremely wet with poor soil structure. Available light and soil moisture are both integral to 

the successful colonization of this species. It will tolerate shade for a part of the day but does best in full sunlight. The 

ability of mile-a-minute to attach to other plants with its recurved barbs and climb over the plants to reach an area of high 

light intensity is a key to its survival. It can survive in areas with relatively low soil moisture, but demonstrates a preference 

for high soil moisture. 

BACKGROUND 

The first records of mile-a-minute in North America are from Portland, Oregon (1890) and Beltsville, Maryland (1937). 

Both of these sites were eliminated or did not establish permanent populations of the species. However, the introduction 
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of mile-a-minute in the late 1930’s to a nursery site in York County, Pennsylvania did produce a successful population of 

this plant. The plant first appeared at this site when holly seeds from Japan were planted and mile-a-minute came up with 

the holly. The owner of the nursery was interested in the plant and allowed it to reproduce; unfortunately, subsequent 

efforts to eradicate it were not successful. The distribution of mile-a-minute has radiated from the York County site into 

neighboring states. In the past 70 years, the range for this plant in the United States has expanded more than 300 miles 

from its original York County, Pennsylvania site. 

BIOLOGY & SPREAD 

Mile-a-minute weed is primarily a self-pollinating plant (supported by its 

inconspicuous, closed flowers and lack of a detectable scent), with occasional 

out-crossing. Fruits and viable seeds are produced without assistance from 

pollinators. Vines generally die with the first frost. Mile-a-minute is a prolific 

seeder, producing many seeds on a single plant over a long season, from June 

until October in Virginia, and a slightly shorter season in more northern 

geographic areas. Seed persists in the soil for as long as 6 years, with 

staggered germination over the years. 

Birds are probably the primary long-distance dispersal agents of mile-a-minute 

weed. Transport along powerlines and other utility rights-of-way can provide an 

important dispersal corridor for mile-a-minute. Transport of seeds short 

distances by at least one ant species has been observed and may play a role 

in the survival and germination of mile-a-minute seeds but further investigation 

is needed. The tip of the seeds bear an elaiosome (nutritious food body) which 

may be attractive to the ants. Local bird populations are important for dispersal 

under utility lines, bird feeders, fence lines and other perching locations. Other 

animals observed eating mile-a-minute weed fruits are chipmunks, squirrels 

and deer and viable seeds have been found in deer scat. 

 

Water is an important mode of dispersal for mile-a-minute weed. Its fruits can remain buoyant for 7-9 days giving it the 

ability to disperse long distances in stream and river environments. Where long vines hang over waterways, fruits that 

detach are easily carried away in the water current. Storm events increase the likelihood of spread by seed throughout 

watersheds. 

MANAGEMENT OPTIONS 

A variety of control measures can be used for management of mile-a-minute weed depending on the level of infestation 

and resources available. Remember that even if all plants are removed, efforts must continue for several years to exhaust 

any remaining seed bank. 

Biological 

A biological control program targeting mile-a-minute weed was initiated by the US Forest Service in 1996, with field 

surveys in China and subsequent host specificity testing in quarantine in the US. A small weevil, Rhinoncomimus latipes 

Korotyaev, was found to be host-specific to mile-a-minute weed, and field release was approved by USDA-APHIS in 

2004. Weevil adults feed on mile-a-minute foliage, and larvae feed within nodes and can suppress growth and reduce 

seed production. The weevils are active from early spring through the fall, completing multiple generations. Weevils 

released in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia between 2004 and 2007 established at 

54/56 (96.4%) of sites where they had been released. Standardized monitoring showed reductions in spring densities to 

25% or less of what they had been at the start within 2-3 years following release. Weevils recorded at non-release sites 

indicated dispersal at an average rate of 4.3 km (2.7 miles) per year. Weevils are being reared at the Phillip Alampi 

Beneficial Insects Lab in Trenton, NJ, but are not generally available. In 2009, new releases were conducted in New York, 

Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Virginia. 

Chemical

Mile-a-minute is sensitive to moderate rates of widely used herbicides. However, because it can begin setting seed by 

mid-June, and will grow onto and over desirable vegetation, selective control with herbicides is difficult. Extensive 

infestations in high-priority areas can be treated with a pre-emergence herbicide to kill plants as they germinate in the 

early spring, with follow-up applications using post-emergence herbicides to eliminate escapees. Sparse populations are 

better treated with post-emergence herbicides. Pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides are available to treat mile-a-
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minute effectively depending on the site value and extent of infestation. For most situations, the post-emergent herbicides 

triclopyr (Garlon 3A) and glyphosate (Glyphomate 41), with little to no soil activity respectively, are the best choice. Both 

products are labeled for aquatic use and pose little threat to other organisms. 

Cultural 

Cultural methods can be utilized to discourage the introduction of mile-a-minute to an area. It is important to maintain 

vegetative community stability and to avoid creating gaps or openings in existing vegetation. Maintaining broad vegetative 

buffers along streams and forest edges will help to shade out and prevent establishment of mile-a-minute weed. This will 

also help to reduce the dispersal of fruits by water. 

Manual 

Hand pulling of seedlings is best done before the recurved barbs on the stem and leaves harden, but may be done 

afterwards with the help of thick gloves. Long pants and a long-sleeved shirt will help prevent skin abrasion. Manual 

removal of vines may be conducted throughout the summer but use caution once seeds have developed to prevent 

spread to new areas. The delicate vines can be reeled in fairly easily, balled up and placed in large piles that can be left to

desiccate for several days or longer. Try to pull up the whole plant including its roots. Depending on the site and situation, 

piles can either be incinerated or burned, left in place until the following year and monitored for emergence of new 

seedlings or, if necessary, bagged and disposed of in a landfill (not the best option if seeds are present). Previously 

infested sites need to be rechecked several times each year, and new plants removed until the seed germination period is 

complete (roughly early April until early July in the middle Atlantic states). 

Mechanical 

For low growing infestations that cover the ground, repeated mowing or weed whipping of vines will reduce the plants 

reserves and prevent or reduce flowering which in turn reduces fruit and seed production. 

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: Always read the entire pesticide label carefully, follow all mixing and application instructions and wear all 

recommended personal protective gear and clothing. Contact your state department of agriculture for any additional pesticide use 

requirements, restrictions or recommendations. 

NOTICE: mention of pesticide products on this page does not constitute endorsement of any material.

CONTACTS 

For more information on the management of Mile-A-Minute Weed, please contact: 

• Judith Hough-Goldstein, University of Delaware, jhough at udel.edu 

• Judy Okay, Chesapeake Bay Program, jokay at chesapeakebay.net 

• Jil Swearingen, National Park Service, jil_swearingen at nps.gov 

OTHER LINKS 

• http://www.invasive.org/search/action.cfm?q=Polygonum%20perfoliatum 

• http://nbii-nin.ciesin.columbia.edu/ipane/icat/browse.do?specieId=13 

• http://ag.udel.edu/enwc/research/biocontrol/index.htm 

• http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/FORESTRY/invasivetutorial/mile_a_minute.htm

• http://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=3065#maps 

AUTHORS 

Judith A. Gerlach Okay, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Annapolis MD 

Judith Hough-Goldstein, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 

Jil Swearingen, National Park Service, Center for Urban Ecology, Washington, DC 

PHOTOGRAPHS 

Jil M. Swearingen, National Park Service, Center for Urban Ecology, Washington, DC 

REFERENCES 
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Plant Conservation Alliance®s Alien Plant Working Group 

Xeeds HoneXild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas 

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/

Colpetzer, K., J. Hough-Goldstein, J. Ding, and W. Fu. 2004. Host specificity of the Asian weevil, Rhinoncomimus latipes

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Ding, J., W. Fu, R. Reardon, Y. Wu, and G. Zhang. 2004. Exploratory survey in China for potential insect biocontrol 

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